Florida Republicans vote AGAINST emergency aid money despite Hurricane Milton expected to devastate local areas

Forecasters are predicting a huge storm of 10-12ft, nearly double that of Helene’s devastating 6ft surge.

The “potentially catastrophic” storm will bring with it winds of up to 155mph as it moves across Mexico and into the south, and evacuations are already underway. It is expected to hit Tampa Bay first, a heavily populated city.

After hitting Florida’s western coast, it will travel across the state before exiting on the eastern coast.

Out of the state’s 67 counties, 51 are now under emergency warnings as Milton approaches.

It comes just shy of two weeks after many politicians – some in Florida – voted against a continuing resolution to provide extra funding for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema).

Representatives Daniel Webster, Gus Bilirakis, Laurel Lee, Anna Paulina Luna, Cory Mills and Bill Posey all voted against the aid and are now in the direct path of the storm, which has been described by Governor Ron De Santis as a “monster”.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:

• ‘Catastrophic’ Hurricane Milton set to smash into Florida as mayor urges people to evacuate: ‘If you choose to stay you are going to die!’
• Florida residents who denied evacuation ahead of Hurricane Helene told to ‘write name on body parts’ to identify them
• US weather: America braces for WORST storm of the year with ‘extreme risk to life’ as Hurricane Helene will bring 160mph mega winds

Others, such as Representative Byron Donalds, aren’t in the direct path but will still be impacted by the widespread effects of the storm.

Biliarkis, whose congressional district will feel the wrath of the storm, told Newsweek: “I have travelled throughout my district in recent days and I’ve witnessed the devastation that my constituents have endured as a result of Hurricane Helene. It is unfathomable that before these residents have even begun to rebuild that we are having to prepare for another potentially catastrophic hurricane.

“I am very concerned for my district and for all Floridians as we brace for a very dangerous storm

“This is a time when we need to be uniting in support of one another.”

He said he is now endorsing a bill that would see additional funding granted: “I do support returning to Washington as soon as possible to vote on a stand-alone bill that ensures Fema and NFIP [National Flood Insurance Program] are funded at necessary levels to respond to Milton and future disasters without being tied, as the CR [continuing resolution] was, to disastrous policies and wasteful spending.”

Ron DeSantis described the storm as a ‘monster’

PA

Donald Trump and his allies have recently criticised the government agency for prioritising giving money to illegal migrants, over Americans impacted by disaster.

Trump has falsely said that Harris has spent all “her Fema money” on housing people who have illegally crossed the border.

The rumours prompted Fema to launch a website to address “false or misleading information” that it warned could harm survivors “by causing confusion and preventing people from getting the help they need”.

“No money is being diverted from disaster response needs. Fema’s disaster response efforts and individual assistance is funded through the Disaster Relief Fund, which is a dedicated fund for disaster efforts. Disaster Relief Fund money has not been diverted to other, non-disaster related efforts,” the website said.

Fema has money dedicated to responding solely to natural disasters, whilst it also has a budget allotted from Congress to be spent on food, shelter and other necessities for immigrants released from Department of Homeland Security (DHS) custody. These are two separate pots of money.