May 24, 2013
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- Gov. Rick Scott is appealing the denial of a federal disaster declaration that Florida sought for Hurricane Isaac.
Scott sent a letter to Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Craig Fugate on Thursday. Fugate was Florida's emergency management chief before taking the FEMA job.
The storm threatened Florida in late August and shortened the Republican National Convention in Tampa from four to three days. But it veered west and made landfall in Louisiana.
The appeal expands Florida's request from seven to 10 counties. It also increases estimated damage, mostly from flooding, to public property from $26.8 million to $36.7 million. FEMA has not explained why it denied the request although the estimate met a $25 million minimum.
Florida is seeking aid only for damage to public facilities -- not for individuals.
