Key facts
- Trump approved disaster aid for eight Florida counties on Thursday.
- The aid is for households impacted by Hurricane Isaias, which made landfall Oct. 9.
- Households can receive thousands of dollars for emergency costs.
- This follows a $237 million aid approval for 15 counties on Tuesday.
- Escambia and Santa Rosa counties are among those designated for public assistance.
- Individual assistance for residents is still under review.
President Donald Trump approved disaster aid for Florida residents on Thursday, days before statewide elections, in what his administration described as near-record speed. The action makes households in eight counties eligible for thousands of dollars to cover emergency costs following Hurricane Isaias, which struck the Florida Panhandle on October 9. This follows a $237 million aid approval for 15 counties on Tuesday for cleanup and rebuilding. The Federal Emergency Management Agency is still reviewing individual assistance for residents. Escambia and Santa Rosa counties suffered the most severe damage and were designated for public assistance, along with 13 other counties. Insured losses from the storm approach $582 million, with local governments facing $99 million in debris removal costs.