The Biden administration approved a Major Disaster Declaration for the Seminole Tribe of Florida.
U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and Rick Scott, R-Fla., wrote to President Joe Biden about the matter.
Seminole Tribe members impacted by Hurricane Ian are now eligible to apply for federal disaster relief.
The letter is below.
Dear Mr. President:
We write in support of Chairman Marcellus W. Osceola Jr.’s request for an expedited Major Disaster Declaration for the Seminole Tribe of Florida as a result of catastrophic damage caused by Major Hurricane Ian. We appreciate your responsiveness thus far in quickly approving requested disaster declarations, and we request that you promptly approve Chairman Osceola’s request, which includes Direct Federal Assistance, Individual Assistance, Category A (debris removal), Category B (emergency protective measures), and Categories C-G (permanent work) Public Assistance, and Hazard Mitigation.
The historic hurricane has left a devastating path of destruction across the State of Florida, and the full extent of damage is only just beginning to be documented. Upon making landfall as a Category-4 storm, Major Hurricane Ian severely impacted Seminole Tribal lands, most notably the Brighton, Big Cypress, and Immokalee Seminole Indian Reservations, and caused substantial damage to utilities, residential and commercial structures, and roadways with flooding and significant debris. Approving this declaration request will facilitate the recovery phase in the aftermath of Major Hurricane Ian, and will provide the Seminole Tribe of Florida the assistance necessary to recover and rebuild.
Floridians are resilient and determined, and with cooperation at all levels of government, we will rebuild stronger than ever. We urge you to approve Chairman Osceola’s request for an expedited Major Disaster Declaration for the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Thank you for your prompt attention to this important matter.
Approved.Got it.Done.
