Rick Scott ‘not downplaying’ Irma’s danger

in Statewide/Top Headlines by

Gov. Rick Scott isn’t apologizing for trying to get people to be concerned about Hurricane Irma.

Scott said Wednesday he had not seen comments by radio personality Rush Limbaugh, who suggested that the “panic” caused by Hurricane Irma benefits retailers, the media and politicians seeking action on climate change.

The Republican governor, however, said, “I’m not downplaying it, I believe this is a risk.”

During several media appearances during the day Scott emphasized that Hurricane Irma was bigger and stronger than Hurricane Andrew, which caused massive destruction in South Florida in 1992. He strongly urged people to evacuate if asked to do so by local officials.

In the past, Scott has dodged questions on whether climate change is caused by humans, saying that he’s “not a scientist.”