David Jolly Urges FEMA to Provide Aid for Tampa Bay Flooding

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) personnel visited the Tampa Bay region on Thursday as the federal government ponders declaring it a disaster area due to flooding. 

U.S. Rep. David Jolly, R-Fla., sent a letter to FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate earlier this week, urging federal help. Jolly, who is running for the U.S. Senate in 2016, doubled down on that call on Thursday. 

“FEMA representatives will begin assessing the damage from weeks of rain today, as they survey areas in Pinellas, Pasco and Hillsborough counties,” Jolly said on Thursday. “I continue to coordinate with FEMA and have reiterated my request of FEMA administrator Craig Fugate that should the state of Florida ask for federal help, the consistent string of storms be considered a single event for purposes of disaster aid.  In addition, I’ve asked FEMA to considering the using the lower regional threshold requirement in determining our eligibility for assistance.”