Obviously, Florida was deeply impacted by Irma, and then, of course, the Territory of Puerto Rico, which is the length of Florida itself.

They need roads rebuilt. They need temporary bridges. They need emergency communications. They need a massive infusion of fuel, water, everything you can imagine.

Let me just start by saying that to be in the tropics for 8 or 9 days without electricity, without water, without medicine, nothing good happens.

We need to lean into this a lot more than we traditionally would because Puerto Rico's government says their own capacity has been tested by two storms and a fiscal crisis.

What I'm more concerned about in the next 48 to 72 hours is ensuring that we don't have a Katrina-style event.

In the days after Hurricane Irma, we heard reports about how a number of other facilities and providers were not designated as such by the state, local government, or electricity provider.

I am committed to working with my colleagues to fill the gaps in our current emergency response system.

In order to respond to the needs of vulnerable populations during disaster, we need to know where they are so that first responders can prioritize their efforts to address these special needs first.

Senators Bill Nelson, Marco Rubio, Bob Casey, and Susan Collins have introduced the Protecting Seniors During Disasters Act.

Your testimony emphasizes the importance of including older Americans when developing emergency response plans.

This legislation would require the heads of multiple federal agencies to assess the specific needs of seniors.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, 11 senior citizens senselessly died in Hollywood, Florida.