HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – Hillsborough County Administrator Bonnie Wise has extended the state of local emergency in response to the ongoing impacts of Hurricane Helene. The extension, which was signed on December 30th, 2024, will remain in effect until January 6th, 2025.
The original state of emergency was declared on September 23rd as Hurricane Helene approached Florida. This extension allows the County Administrator and emergency managers to continue taking necessary actions to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the community. It also facilitates the process of seeking federal reimbursement for storm-related expenses.
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Hurricane Helene, which made landfall in September, caused significant damage and disruption across the region. While recovery efforts are underway, the extension of the state of emergency recognizes that the community continues to face challenges related to the storm’s aftermath.
The emergency declaration grants the County Administrator the authority to implement measures such as curfews, evacuations, and the procurement of essential supplies and services. It also streamlines the process for requesting and receiving federal assistance for debris removal, infrastructure repair, and other recovery efforts.
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In addition to the state of local emergency for Hurricane Helene, Hillsborough County is also under a separate state of emergency for Hurricane Milton, which impacted the region in October.
Governor Ron DeSantis has also declared a state of emergency for the entire state of Florida in response to the series of hurricanes that have impacted the state this year.
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