Gov. Rick Scott declared a State of Emergency in all 67 Florida counties in response to Hurricane Maria on Monday.
In a press release, Scott said the declaration would provide “important resources” and assistance needed to accommodate families impacted by Hurricane Maria, a Category 4 storm which ravaged the American territory of Puerto Rico last month.
Thousands of Puerto Ricans are expected to come to Florida to flee the country, which was left badly damaged by the storm. Many portions of the island are still without power and some have estimated it could take four to six months for the entire island to have its lights turned back on.
Travelers coming to Florida will need help to get back on their feet, and Scott said Florida stands ready to help survivors of the storm rebuild their lives piece by piece.
The governor’s office said the state will coordinate with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide services like housing assistance, crisis counseling, unemployment assistance and legal advice as they come to the Sunshine State.
“Puerto Rico was totally devastated by Hurricane Maria and so many families lost everything,” Scott said in a statement Monday. “With families displaced by Hurricane Maria already present and still arriving in Florida, it is critical that our state is prepared to provide the resources they need upon entering our state.”
Gov. Scott visited the island last week to survey damage from the storm and to meet with local government officials to talk about ways Florida could lend a helping hand to the country and its people, many of whom are without power and basic necessities to live.
Florida is the expected landing pad for many of the transplants.
It has been estimated that the number of Puerto Ricans transplanted to Florida since 2012 is in the 200,000 range, pushing the residency totals in the state to over one million.
“Our state is an incredible melting pot, and the success and growth we’ve seen over the years is credited to the wonderful people that live in Florida,” Scott said. “As Puerto Rico rebuilds, Florida remains committed to doing everything we can to help the families impacted by Hurricane Maria and aid in the recovery process.”
Gov. Rick Scott notified the Florida National Guard and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission to be on standby for deployment after the Puerto Rican government sent out an official request for assistance following the monster storm.
The governor is also pushing Florida state colleges and universities to allow students displaced by Maria to receive in-state tuition, which is a fraction of the cost of regular tuition rates.
Schools like Florida State University, University of Florida, University of Central Florida and many other state colleges and universities will participate in offering in-state tuition.
Two weeks after the storm hit, Puerto Rico is still reeling from Maria.
Some victims of the storm are still searching for family members as goods and supplies run low on the island. Long lines to get gas and cash wind around city streets and only 80,000 people have running water on the island.
Recovery efforts are expected to take months, if not longer.
On Friday, Scott met with President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence to discuss his visit to the small American territory which has been partially decimated due to the storm.
President Trump is expected to visit Puerto Rico Tuesday.
Reach reporter Allison Nielsen by email at allison@sunshinestatenews.com or follow her on Twitter: @AllisonNielsen.
