DeSantis requests FEMA disaster declaration following Hurricane Isaias damage

Florida requested a major disaster declaration from the federal government following Hurricane Isaias to secure FEMA aid for 15 counties recovering from storm damage.Isaias storm responseFlorida emergency officials said they have completed more than 1,600 response missions across affected areas. The state established 11 distribution points offering free supplies, including water, shelf-stable meals, tarps, ice, and fuel. Gov. Ron DeSantis held a press conference in Milton on Friday, explaining that high winds caused significant damage even in interior regions.Disaster declaration requestOfficials have not yet confirmed when the federal administration will decide on the major disaster declaration request. It remains unclear which specific individual assistance programs will be authorized or how much total funding individual homeowners will qualify to receive.FEMA funding breakdownThe state said it has distributed over 250,000 meals, 500,000 boxes of water, 26,000 bags of ice, 26,000 tar