DeSantis Seeks Major Disaster Declaration From White House

Receding floodwaters surround a home on Las Olas (Spanish for "The Waves") Boulevard in the Sailboat Bend neighborhood in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on April 13, 2023. Rebecca Blackwell/AP Photo

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he will ask the Biden administration to declare a major disaster for Broward County.

“Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced he will request a Major Disaster Declaration for Broward County due to the catastrophic impacts of unprecedented flooding in Southeast Florida,” DeSantis’s office said in a statement. “If granted by the White House, a Major Disaster Declaration will provide a wide range of federal assistance programs for individuals and public infrastructure damaged by the floods.”

Historic Flooding in Southeast Florida

More than 2 feet of rain fell in some parts of the county on April 12. The 1-in-1,000-year deluge left some parts of the county with up to 3 feet of water.

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport shut down on the evening of April 12. Airport officials resumed operations at 9 a.m. on April 14 after they completed final inspections. Airport operations were slowly returning to normal afterward, but the almost two-day closure was still affecting some passengers.

Gas deliveries to the port were also slowed, causing long lines at the pump.

Planes sit at their gates after the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport was closed due to the runways being flooded in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on April 13, 2023. Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Florida and federal officials have been conducting damage assessments in impacted flood areas since Wednesday and are expected to finish physical assessments this weekend.

“In less than three days, teams have assessed over 1,300 homes and identified over 1,000 with major damages,” the governor’s office said.

Fort Lauderdale, a city on Florida’s southeastern coast, declared a state of emergency after the heavy rain.

“Flooding conditions remain impactful in the southern areas of the City this morning. An active emergency declaration is in effect,” the City of Fort Lauderdale stated in live updates. “Emergency Management crews worked continuously through the night to attend rescue calls.”

Trucks and a resident on foot make their way through receding floodwaters in the Sailboat Bend neighborhood of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on April 13, 2023. Rebecca Blackwell/AP Photo

The city said Saturday that debris removal trucks are operating in all areas that were affected by the flooding and the efforts may last four to six weeks.

DeSantis activated the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program on Thursday for affected businesses.

A small business in the flooding areas may be eligible for loans up to $50,000 under the program.

The Epoch Times reached out to the White House for comment.