Tampa Bay Republicans Object to FEMA Rejecting Rick Scott's Disaster Area Request

On Thursday, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate announced Gov. Rick Scott’s request to declare the Tampa Bay area a disaster area after flooding last month was denied, prompting two Republican congressmen representing parts of the region to object. 

U.S. Rep. Dennis Ross, R-Fla., part of the congressional leadership as senior deputy majority whip, sent a letter to Furgate asking he reconsider his position. 
 
“It's extremely upsetting and unacceptable that FEMA denied to declare the Tampa Bay area in a state of disaster and provide well-overdue relief to the region," Ross said on Thursday. "Gov. Rick Scott declared a state of emergency nearly a month ago due to this extreme flooding, as well as formally asked the president for federal assistance. However, because FEMA does not believe this flooding is severe enough to warrant federal assistance, families and our communities will continue to see no relief from the worst flooding we have experienced in years.

"This lack of concern and urgency by federal bureaucrats is alarming and does not bode well as we head into the heart of hurricane season, which is why I am demanding FEMA to reverse its decision," Ross added. “I will continue fighting for relief for these families and neighborhoods who have lost everything." 

U.S. Rep. David Jolly, R-Fla., running for the Republican nomination to replace U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., in the Senate, also slammed the decision on Thursday. 
 
“The president’s decision is wrong,” Jolly said. “We have hundreds of homeowners in the Tampa Bay region still suffering as a result of the recent storms.  Federal grants and low cost loans triggered by a federal disaster declaration are designed to help families in situations just like this and the president with this decision has missed a critical opportunity to assist Floridians in need.”