Governor Ron DeSantis Requested Pre-Landfall Emergency Declaration for Tropical Storm Fred
Earlier today, Governor Ron DeSantis requested a pre-landfall from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in anticipation of impacts from Tropical Storm Fred. The request is for an Emergency Declaration for Bay, Calhoun, Citrus, Dixie, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Manatee, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Taylor, Wakulla, Walton and Washington counties.
Governor DeSantis specifically requested Public Assistance Category B for emergency protective measures, limited to direct federal assistance and reimbursement for mass care, including evacuation and sheltering support. Governor DeSantis’ letter to President Biden is available here.
Additionally, the Governor received briefings from the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) Director Kevin Guthrie and State Meteorologist Amy Godsey. As Fred continues to make landfall this evening, the state stands ready to address any unmet local needs.
Last week, Governor DeSantis issued Executive Order 21-190 and declared a state of emergency for 23 counties in the potential path of Tropical Storm Fred. The State Emergency Operations Center activated to a Level 2 Saturday morning, to enhance coordination between federal, state and local emergency management agencies. More information is available here.
Other state response actions for Tropical Storm Fred include:
- FDEM is hosting twice-daily calls with County Emergency Management offices to identify unmet needs and fulfill resource requests, as necessary.
- FDEM activated the Recovery Coordination Center to provide technical assistance to local governments regarding damage assessments for federal assistance.
- The Florida Department of Transportation has issued an Emergency Order to waive and suspend rules and statutes that may prohibit the deployment of resources related to Tropical Storm Fred.
- The Florida Department of Environment Protection (DEP) has closed 28 state parks in anticipation of impacts from Tropical Storm Fred. Florida state park closures are available
- DEP has pre-authorized 1,084 Disaster Debris Management Sites in preparation of Tropical Storm Fred impacts.
- The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission remains on stand-by for water rescue missions and the deployment of highwater vehicles, if necessary.
- The Florida Department of Education (DOE) has up-to-date information on college and university, school district of DOE office closures. Closures are available here.
Updated: Monday, August 16, 2021
