Flooding prompts Scott to seek disaster declaration

Nearly 6 inches of rain soaked parts of Pasco County, where a mandatory evacuation order is in effect for people living in a flood-prone area near New Port Richey. The Pasco County Office of Emergency Management issued the evacuation order early Monday following heavy rain over the weekend.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Gov. Rick Scott on Tuesday sought a federal major disaster declaration for five Florida counties that were hit by heavy rains and flooding in late July and early August.

In a letter to President Barack Obama, Scott asked for the declaration for Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, Dixie and Taylor counties.

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A disaster declaration could bring assistance to people in those counties.

The request is based on flooding from Aug. 1 to Aug. 9, though the letter said heavy rains began July 25.