WASHINGTON D.C. — On Monday, Aug. 28, FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of Florida to supplement state, tribal and local response efforts due to emergency conditions resulting from Tropical Storm Idalia beginning Aug. 27, 2023, and continuing.

The President’s action authorizes FEMA to coordinate all disaster relief efforts to alleviate the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population and to provide appropriate assistance to save lives, to protect property and safety and to lessen or avert the threat of catastrophe in Alachua, Bay, Calhoun, Charlotte, Citrus, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Hardee, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor and Wakulla counties.

Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize and provide at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the effects of the emergency. Emergency protective measures limited to direct federal assistance, under the public assistance program will be provided at 75% federal funding.

Brett H. Howard has been named Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected areas.