LOC20:27
17:27 GMT
WASHINGTON, Sept 29 (KUNA) -- US President Joseph Biden, Jr., declared on Thursday that a major disaster exists in the State of Florida and ordered Federal aid to supplement State, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by Hurricane Ian beginning on September 23, 2022, and continuing.
The President's action makes Federal funding available to affected individuals in the counties, according to a White House press release.
Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.
Damage assessments are continuing in other areas, and additional areas may be designated for assistance after the assessments are fully completed.
The President spoke this morning with Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida to discuss the steps the Biden-Harris Administration is taking to support Florida in response to Hurricane Ian, including the issuance of a Disaster Declaration this morning.
The President told the Governor he is sending his FEMA Administrator to Florida tomorrow to check in on response efforts and see where additional support is needed.
The President and Governor committed to continued close coordination, according to readout of the call.
The President will visit FEMA's headquarters to receive a briefing on impacts from Hurricane Ian and ongoing Federal response efforts.
Ian has weakened into a tropical storm after making landfall along the southwestern coast of Florida near Cayo Costa as a powerful Category 4 hurricane Wednesday. (end)
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