• FEMA announced that federal emergency aid has been made available to the state of Florida to supplement state, tribal and local response efforts to areas affected by Tropical Storm Nicole
• It took effect Nov. 7 and will continue through the storm, FEMA stated

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced on Wednesday that President Joe Biden approved federal emergency aid for Florida and its local municipalities in the track for what is forecast to become Hurricane Nicole.

Biden’s action authorizes FEMA to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures.

FEMA noted that the authority is a part of Title V of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. It was enacted “to save lives, to protect property, public health and safety and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe.”

The assistance will be made available to Alachua, Bradford, Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Desoto, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Jefferson, Lake, Lee, Levy, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Miami-Dade, Nassau, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Sumter, Taylor, Volusia and Wakulla counties and the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida and the Seminole Tribe of Florida.

“Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize and provide at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency,” a FEMA news release said. “Emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance, under the public assistance program will be provided at 75% federal funding.”

Additionally, Thomas J. McCool has been named the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal response operations in the affected areas.

11:55 AM EST Wednesday Update: Tropical Storm #Nicole makes landfall on Great Abaco Island in the northwestern Bahamas with maximum winds of 70 mph (110 km/h). Latest at https://t.co/tW4KeGe9uJ pic.twitter.com/ZLQUJ7z86E

— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) November 9, 2022