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Crist Asks Bush For Emergency Declaration

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TBO.com

Published: August 20, 2008

Gov. Charlie Crist sent a letter to President Bush this afternoon requesting an emergency declaration to cover what Crist described to reporters today as Tropical Storm Fay's emergence as a "catastrophic flooding event" in east central and northern Florida, particularly Brevard County.

Fay's center remained nearly stationary over Cape Canaveral at 2 p.m., Gov. Charlie Crist said, with maximum winds at 45 miles per hour. The storm is expected to spread heavy rains across north Florida, and a flash flood warning is in effect for southern Brevard County, where more than 20 inches have already fallen. "Some areas could see rainfall as much as 30 inches."

If granted, the emergency order would free up federal dollars to cover disaster responses that outstrip state and local funding. Counties covered in the order include Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Collier, Miami-Dade, DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry and Highlands. The request does not mention the Tampa Bay area.

Craig Fugate, state director of Emergency Operations, said it has been more than 20 years since a storm's track has affected so much of the state.

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