President Joe Biden declared an emergency in the state of Florida Saturday due to the severe conditions caused by Tropical Storm Debby .
According to government officials, the declaration authorizes federal assistance to support state, tribal and local response efforts in addressing the emergency.
The Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency will coordinate all disaster relief efforts aimed at relieving the hardships and suffering faced by locals. This federal assistance will be provided under Title V of the Stafford Act, which includes measures to save lives, protect property, ensure public health and safety and prevent a potential catastrophe.
The federal aid includes Public Assistance (Category B) emergency protective measures for the counties of Alachua, Baker, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, Dixie, Duval, Franklin, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Hendry, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Monroe, Nassau, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, Putnam, Sarasota, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, and Wakulla, this assistance covers direct federal support and reimbursement for mass care, including evacuation and shelter support, at 75% federal funding.
