President Obama declared a state of emergency in Florida on Thursday and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local response efforts in preparation for Hurricane Matthew.
The declaration authorizes the Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate disaster relief efforts to try to alleviate hardship and suffering the hurricane may cause, the White House said Thursday.
Florida Gov. Rick Scott requested the presidential declaration to provide relief assistance to 26 Florida counties in order to gird for the emergency needs of local communities. “It is critical that President Obama quickly approve this request,” Scott said Thursday.
The White House moves authorizes FEMA to identify, mobilize and provide “at its discretion” the equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency.
Scott urged Florida residents who live in flood-prone areas to evacuate early before they hit the heavy traffic that might occur in the wake of a mandatory evacuation.
“I hope no one in this state takes any chances,” Scott said.
