President Obama on Thursday declared a state of emergency in Florida as Hurricane Matthew bears down on the Southeastern United States.
{mosads}The disaster declaration allows state and local officials to obtain federal aid to help the recovery from the storm, which is expected to cause widespread devastation in the Sunshine State.
“This is likely the largest and most powerful hurricane to hit the United States in a decade or so,” White House press secretary Josh Earnest said earlier Thursday.
Obama’s order also allows the Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to coordinate all disaster-relief efforts in the state.
The Category 4 storm is gaining strength and is expected to hit the east coast of Florida by Thursday evening.
Florida Gov. Rick Scott (R) pleaded with residents to evacuate from areas in the hurricane’s path.
“Evacuate, evacuate, evacuate,” the governor said at a news conference. “This is going to kill people.”
Scott requested the aid from the Obama administration early in an effort to jump-start recovery efforts.
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), who faces reelection next month, praised Obama’s decision to grant Scott’s request.
“Pleased Pres Obama granted Gov Scott’s request for #HurricaneMatthew pre-landfall emergency declaration so federal gov’t can help recovery,” he tweeted.