Biden and DeSantis: Political opponents come together to aid in Florida’s hurricane recovery
On October 5, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden traveled to the hurricane-besieged area of Fort Myers, Florida, where they were joined by one of the President’s most vocal political critics – Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Amidst one of the hardest hit parts of the State wrecked by the hurricane, the Democratic President and Republican Governor seemingly put away their differences, came together and stressed their successful joint efforts in dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Ian.
Both men declared they were putting politics aside for now.
“Today we have one job and only one job, and that’s to make sure the people in Florida get everything they need to fully, thoroughly recover,” Biden said in this southwestern Florida community that bore the brunt of Ian’s assault. ~WPTV
Also yesterday, President Biden approved DeSantis’ request to make additional disaster funding available to the State of Florida and extended the time period for 100 percent federal funding for an additional 30 days, giving Florida a total of 60 days at 100 percent funding following Hurricane Ian.
Hurricane Ian Updates
As of their meeting yesterday, there were still 298,820 reported power outages. Power had been restored to nearly 2.4 million accounts across the state, representing 88.92% of accounts restored since the peak. There are currently 11 fueling depot stations open statewide, and a mobile fuel truck has been deployed to Arcadia to support residents without access to fuel.
Florida’s First Lady Casey DeSantis announced that the Florida Disaster Fund has raised nearly $35 million since activation. Additionally, the First Lady has worked with the State Disaster Recovery Mental Health Coordinator Sara Newhouse to compile a webpage of resources to help first responders navigate resources for mental health needs post hurricane. To visit the site, click here.
Mental health resources for individuals and communities are available at MyFLFamilies.com/HurricaneIan. Floridians’ health and well-being are a top priority, and the Department of Children and Families is reminding individuals that they are not alone. All Floridians impacted by Hurricane Ian can find someone to talk to today through the Disaster Distress Helpline by calling 800-985-5990.
Safe and found persons can be reported safe at http://safe.fl.gov.
Florida State response efforts include:
Search and Rescue
- There have been 2,500 rescues made to date.
- There are more than 1,000 team members performing search and rescue.
- DCF has created a First Responder Support Line: 407-823-1657 – that all first responders throughout the impacted areas can contact. This line combines current resources into a single point of contact that will connect first responders with mental health professionals.
- Florida National Guard engineering resources were deployed to assist with route clearance in Pinellas and Lee Counties.
- The Missouri Task Force 1 Disaster Situational Assessment and Reconnaissance (DSAR) Team is deploying to Florida through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact to support urban search and rescue efforts and incident assessment.
- A Florida Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Team deployed to Central Florida to support state USAR Task Forces and incident assessment.
- Following Governor DeSantis’ authorization, Joint Task Force Florida has 5,050 personnel activated and is executing missions in response to Hurricane Ian. The Florida National Guard has supported a total of 247 missions.
- 27 POD sites operating and distributing food, water, and ice to local populations:
- 2,728 pallets of water distributed
- 2,331 pallets of food distributed
- 606 pallets of ice distributed
- 385 pallets of tarps distributed
FDEM
- Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) is working with feeding partners to open kitchens for impacted and displaced residents. More than 410,800 were served on Tuesday, October 4, and more than 936,100 hot meals have been served since volunteer kitchens opened.
- FDEM is mobilizing pet food and supplies for displaced pets, including: rabies vaccines, dry and canned dog food, dry and canned cat food, cat litter, disposable pet bowls and disposable leashes.
- FDEM is deploying the following resources for distribution to impacted areas:
- Coordinating to set up 4 barges to aid in the delivery of commodities in Lee County to Pine Island and Sanibel Island.
- Trailers for restrooms, showers, laundry, sleeping and sanitation to ensure the care of first responders in the field.
- More than 4,000 gallons of diesel to Lee County to power water plants that provide water to nearby hospitals.
- Drone teams to assess flooded areas.
- 500 traffic barrels to Charlotte County to safely modify traffic patterns.
- More than 400 bottles of oxygen to Charlotte County.
- 255 ambulances
- 200 trucks of food, water and ice
- More than 500 generators for traffic signals and other traffic needs
- 2 full service mechanical shops
- 500,000 tarps
- 375 kits for parents of infants and toddlers with critical supplies that will last for 10 days each
- Four mobile triage units to Miami-Dade County
- Five truckloads of blankets and five truckloads of cots to support displaced residents
- Coordinating the provision of meals for first responders staged in Orange County
- FDEM is in constant communication with all 67 county emergency management offices and state agencies to coordinate recovery actions and needed resources as communities experience storm impacts.
Power
- There are currently 298,820 people without power.
- Nearly 2.4 million accounts have already been restored across Florida.
- For a full report on current outages, click here.
- 42,000 linemen from utilities across the state are working 24/7 to restore power.
- 325 Florida Highway Patrol are transporting utility crews.
- 560 health care facilities have had power restored since the onset of the event.
Health and Human Services
- As of yesterday, 25 health care facilities previously evacuated have returned and are operational.
- Boil Water Notices have been issued for 162 areas, over 22 counties, following the impacts from Hurricane Ian. DOH continues to monitor and maintain a comprehensive statewide list of notices for residents to access online.
- As of yesterday, 100% of operating long-term care facilities have a generator on-site. The Generator Status Map for long-term care facilities is available here.
- DOH continues to expedite health care licensing for priority professions. Health care practitioners interested in volunteering to the Volunteer Florida registration portal.
- DCF has opened four Family Resource Support Centers with staff on site, including Hope Navigators, behavioral health partners who specialize in disaster recovery response, and public benefit eligibility specialists to help individuals and families. More information can be found here: www.myflfamilies.com/frsc
- Locations include: New Port Richey, Tampa, Orlando, and Palmetto.
- The Family Resource Support Centers are available to help impacted families with crisis counseling services to navigate resources and services in the community.
- The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice is continuing to conduct wellness checks on staff, youth and families in impacted areas. All youth and staff in DJJ facilities are safe, and DJJ is continuing its post-storm recovery efforts which include the continued assessment of facilities for damage and post-storm clean-up.
Infrastructure
- FDOT is working to assist Lee County to expedite emergency repairs to the road and bridges that provide motorists access to Pine Island.
- Cut and Toss crews cleared over 4,746 miles (88% complete) of state roadways. Continue to listen to local law enforcement and county officials for potential detours
- Debris removal has begun, most heavily focused in Southwest Florida.
- FDOT bridge inspectors continue to inspect bridges. 2,507 bridges have been inspected to date.
- All High Priority Bridges have been cleared in Tampa Bay, Southwest Florida, Northeast Florida, and Central Florida
- Projects under construction in the following counties can resume activities:
- Alachua, Bay, Baker, Bradford, Brevard, Broward, Calhoun, Clay, Columbia, Dixie, Duval, Escambia, Flagler, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Holmes, Indian River, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Marion, Martin, Miami Dade, Monroe, Nassau, Okaloosa, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Putnam, Santa Rosa, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Seminole, Sumter Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Volusia, Wakulla, Walton, Washington
Road and Bridges
Current Major Road and Bridge Closures. Up-to-date closures listed on FL511.com:
PINE ISLAND AND SANIBEL BRIDGES
Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has completed construction of a temporary bridge to Pine Island. Original completion date was scheduled for Saturday. First Responders and Emergency Personnel will have access soon and residents will have access later this afternoon.
FDOT has begun working on a repairs to the Sanibel Island Causeway.
Bridges Closed as of 12 pm on 10/5/22
- Sanibel Causeway (Lee County)
Roads closed
- Brevard County
- SR-46 Westbound at Hatbill Road – Lane closed
- DeSoto County
- SR-70 from CR-661 to N Baldwin Avenue – Lane closed, both directions
- SR-70 at NW Lily Avenue – Lane closed, both directions
- SR-72 from CR-661 to SR-70 – Lane closed, both directions
- SR-72 from Myakka Valley Trail to NW Flint Road – Lane closed
- SR-72 at SW Gator Trail – Lane closed, both directions
- Hardee County
- SR-64 Eastbound at Golfview Drive – Lane closed
- SR-64 at Peace River – Lane closed, both directions
- SR-64 from Florida Cracker Trail to School House Road – Lane closed, both directions
- Lee County
- Pine Island Road Bridge (SR-78/Pine Island Road at Matlacha Draw Bridge)
- Sanibel Causeway
- Bonita Beach Road at Simmons Lane – All lanes closed
- Captiva Drive from Palmflower Lane to Sanibel Captiva Road – Lane closed, both directions
- CR-865 at Broadway Channel – Lane closed, both directions
- CR-865 from Estrellita Drive to Cape Hickory Court – Lane closed, both directions
- CR-867 Southbound from Port Comfort Road to Punta Rassa Road – All lanes closed
- Estero Boulevard at Broadway Channel – Lane closed, both directions
- Manatee County
- SR-37 at Manatee/Polk County Line – Lane closed, both directions
- Orange County
- SR-528 Westbound at Exit 12: SR-551/Goldenrod Road North Bound – On and Off-ramp closed
- Osceola County
- US-441/Holopaw Road Southbound at Golden Citrus Road – Lane closed
- Polk County
- E Grove Avenue at S Scenic Highway – Lane closed, both directions
- SR-37 Northbound before SR-674 – All lanes closed
- Sarasota County
- CR-780 at Sinclair Drive – Lane closed, both directions
- CR-780 at Manatee/Sarasota County Line
- N River Road from E Venice Avenue to US-41 Northbound – Lane closed
- Seminole County
- SR-46 Eastbound at N Jungle Road – Lane closed
Roads and Bridges Recently Opened as of 7 a.m. on 10/5/22
- Flagler County
- S Oceanshore Boulevard at S 14th Street
- Lee County
- SR-867/McGregor Boulevard Northbound beyond Winkler Road
- SR-867/McGregor Boulevard Southbound at Colonial Boulevard
- Osceola County
- Pleasant Hill Road at Northgate Drive
RAIL
- CSX special weather inspections were completed and determined there are no main line disruptions.
- Seminole Gulf Railway sustained significant damage.
o Damage assessments continue and repair plans are underway.
o Operations reopened in Ft. Myers only.
- Amtrak has resumed modified service to areas of the Southeast.
- The Auto Train and other Florida routes terminate in Jacksonville with bus service between Jacksonville, Orlando, and Tampa
PORTS
- All ports are now open.
- Fuel Terminals: All port fuel terminals have resumed normal operations.
AIRPORTS
o All Commercial Service airports are now open
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See yesterday’s Biden / DeSantis joint press conference below, after they had surveyed the damage wrought by Hurricane Ian.
(Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission)
by Richard Webster, Ace News Today / Follow Richard on Facebook and Twitter
