JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Governor Rick Scott sent a letter to President Obama asking for a major disaster declaration for the State of Florida due to Tropical Storm Debby.
The governor's letter includes a preliminary damage assessment for several hard-hit counties. Clay County, where Black Creek caused major flooding, is not part of the list.
Governor Scott is asking for $2.13 million for Baker County; $560,000 for Bradford County; and $5.6 million for Columbia County.
Governor Scott declared a state of emergency on June 25. Debby made landfall the next day, and chugged east across Florida.
The storm brought 18 confirmed tornadoes in the Florida Peninsula, flash flood warnings in 18 counties, and excessive rainfall which led to the flooding of a number of major rivers including the Suwannee, St. Marys, and the Santa Fe in Northeast Florida. Black Creek in Clay County caused flood damage to more than 500 homes.
Jacksonville saw
record rain last week due to Debby. Several areas across the state had 24 hour rainfall amounts in excess of 20 inches.
St. Marks had an unofficial public report of 28.27 inches of rain.
A report from the State Emergency Response Team shows flooding destroyed 57 homes in Baker County and 122 homes in Columbia County.
Debby is being blamed for seven deaths statewide.
