Gov. Scott requests disaster declaration for Cape tornado victims

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Cape Coral tornado victims may have a second chance of receiving federal disaster aid if a request by Gov. Rick Scott is approved.

Scott sent letters to the U.S. Small Business Administration on Tuesday requesting a physical disaster declaration for Lee and Sarasota counties. An EF2 tornado struck Cape Coral on Jan. 9, followed by a similar tornado in Sarasota County the following weekend.

About 25 homes or businesses in Cape Coral sustained uninsured losses of 40 percent or more of their estimated pre-disaster fair market value, Scott wrote.

Scott’s letter comes less than a month after Cape Coral failed to meet the disaster thresholds necessary to qualify for federal aid. At the time, city officials said those impacted could receive aid if a SBA Disaster Declaration is given. If approved, homeowners, renters and businesses impacted by the tornado could be eligible for low-interest loans to help them recover.

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