Acting DHS Secretary: Florida Counties Can be Added to Disaster Decree

Nine counties in Florida already have been declared as disaster areas over Hurricane Irma, but additional counties can be added as the extent of the storm's damages are determined, acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Elaine Duke said Monday.

"Once the president signs a federal disaster [declaration], then we can add additional counties as the storm dictates," Duke, speaking from FEMA headquarters in Washington, told Fox News' "Fox and Friends" program. "We'll know more as the sun rises what type of individual assistance or public assistance is needed."

FEMA announced on Sunday that President Donald Trump approved federal disaster assistance that would be made available to individuals and governments in Florida for areas affected by Hurricane Irma beginning Sept. 4 and continuing.

The declaration means that Gov. Rick Scott has asked for assistance, and the federal government will be giving assistance for public rebuilding and individuals.

"What we would do is we send out inspectors to look at people's homes, to look at public buildings and see what damage is there," said Duke.

The government is "simultaneously responding to both Hurricanes Irma and Harvey," and will not need to divert National Guard personnel away from Texas to respond to the Florida emergency, Duke continued.

"In Harvey the waters have receded, and we are supporting Gov. [Greg] Abbott in terms mostly of housing and rebuilding their infrastructure," said Duke. "In Florida, our response we do have flying weather, so we'll be able to start search and rescue and start assessing the damages. Additionally we will be supporting the local utilities on bringing the electric back up."

Duke, also appearing on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" program, said the government is "feeling good" after Irma's hit on Florida.

"We have shelters, which is great, which means they heeded the warnings of local officials," said Duke. "We do have about 5 million customers without power, but we're hoping that some of those customers will have power quickly. We do expect power outages to continue over the next few days, if not weeks. So, it's just keeping calm and knowing that it will take time to get to all of the people throughout the state."

The active concern, for now, is that people will think the threat from Irma is over, but it is not, said Duke.

"The storm continues," she said. "Even a hurricane [of] category 1 is a threat with flooding, rains, and winds. So we ask people to please be careful, stay and shelter in place or stay evacuated and let the first responders do their jobs so that there's not further loss of life."

Related stories:

• Irma Downgraded to Tropical Storm, Hits Florida With Wind, Flooding
• Irma Knocks Out Power to More Than 2 Million in Florida