A few days after Hurricane Debby first hit Florida, President Biden declared a major disaster and ordered federal assistance to help state, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the affected areas.
Hurricane Debby made landfall in Steinhatchee, Florida, on Monday, August 5, with winds of 80 mph. The storm later weakened to Tropical Storm Debby but hit again near Bulls Bay, South Carolina, early Thursday, August 8, with winds of 50 mph.
The storm caused heavy rainfall from Florida to the Carolinas.
This weekend, the president announced that federal funding is now available for those in the following Florida counties:
- Columbia County
- Dixie County
- Gilchrist County
- Hamilton County
- Lafayette County
- Levy County
- Manatee County
- Sarasota County
- Suwannee County
- Taylor County
This aid can help with temporary housing, home repairs, low-cost loans for uninsured property damage, and other recovery needs.
Federal funding is also available to state, tribal, and eligible local governments, as well as certain nonprofits, to assist with emergency work in these counties:
- Columbia County
- Dixie County
- Gilchrist County
- Hamilton County
- Lafayette County
- Levy County
- Madison County
- Manatee County
- Sarasota County
- Suwannee County
- Taylor County
Additionally, federal funds will be provided on a cost-sharing basis for statewide hazard mitigation measures.
This announcement comes as the National Hurricane Center in Miami monitors a new tropical wave that has a high chance of developing into a storm. As of 5 p.m. on Sunday, August 11, this system was named Potential Tropical Cyclone Five, and it was expected to become a tropical storm by Monday, August 12. The next named storm will be called Ernesto.
Residents and business owners in the affected areas can apply for assistance at disasterassistance.gov, by calling 800-621-FEMA (800-621-3362), or through the FEMA app. Those using relay services can provide FEMA with their service number.