LEON COUNTY, Fla. — President Joe Biden approved a major disaster declaration and ordered federal aid for Florida following a series of severe storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes from early May.
In a press release from the White House on Tuesday, the president's declaration offers federal funding for residents in Leon County affected by the storms.
The assistance offers grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs that help residents and business owners recover.
Other funding is now available for state, tribal, eligible local governments and certain nonprofit organizations based on a cost-sharing basis for debris emergency work and repairing or replacing facilities that were damaged from the storms. This includes:
- Baker County
- Gadsden County
- Hamilton County
- Lafayette County
- Leon County
- Liberty County
- Madison County
- Suwannee County
- Taylor County
- Wakulla County
For the rest of Florida, funding is available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures, the White House says.
Due to the storms, more than 66,000 people lost power in Tallahassee after 11 substations suffered damage.
A woman died after a tree fell on her family's home, according to the Leon County Sheriff's Office.
Pictures and videos show downed trees, branches skewed all over people's property, and cars and houses damaged. Florida State University also took a hit with its circus tent being damaged as video shows parts of it ripped off on the ground.
For those seeking assistance, you can apply by clicking or tapping here, by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), or by downloading the FEMA App.