President Backs Emergency Declaration for Florida

R. David Paulison, acting under secretary for Homeland Security and FEMA director, announced that President Bush authorized an emergency declaration for the State of Florida, allocating Federal resources in support of emergency protective actions in the counties located in the path of Hurricane Rita, beginning on Sept. 18, and continuing.

Paulison said President Bush issued the declaration following a review of FEMA’s analysis of the state’s request for federal assistance.

As a result of the declaration, FEMA will mobilize equipment and resources necessary to protect public health and safety by assisting law enforcement with evacuations, establishing shelters, supporting emergency medical needs, meeting immediate lifesaving and life-sustaining human needs and protecting property, in addition to other emergency protective measures.

The declaration authorizes FEMA to identify, mobilize and provide equipment and resources authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to alleviate the impacts of the emergency in the counties of Broward, Collier, Miami-Dade, and Monroe. Emergency protective measures, including direct Federal assistance, will be provided at 75 percent Federal funding. For a period of up to 72 hours, Federal funding is available at 100 percent of the total eligible costs for emergency protective measures, including direct Federal assistance.

Paulison named Justin DeMello as the Federal coordinating officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected area.