[my_adsense_shortcode_1]
President Joe Biden and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis appeared side-by-side in hard-hit Fort Myers on Wednesday as the president surveyed damage from Hurricane Ian.
The two leaders, typically political opponents, have momentarily put politics apart to reply to the historic storm, which is shaping as much as be one in all Florida’s deadliest and costliest in many years. Making landfall as a Category 4 hurricane, Ian leveled the coast, knocking out energy to tens of millions. At least 100 individuals died.
DeSantis and his spouse, Casey DeSantis, greeted Biden and first woman Jill Biden upon their arrival at Fisherman’s Wharf for an operational briefing. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, Republican Sens. Rick Scott and Marco Rubio, and different native officers had been additionally on the website.
“Mr. President, welcome to Florida,” DeSantis stated, making remarks first. “We appreciate working together across various levels of government.”
President Joe Biden, alongside with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, receives an operational briefing by federal, native, and state officers on present response and restoration efforts at Fishermans Pass in Fort Myers, Fla., Oct. 5, 2022.
Olivier Douliery/AFP by way of Getty Images
Biden spoke with native residents affected by the storm, providing handshakes and hugs as he toured damage on the marina’s. The space was stuffed with particles, fallen timber, downed electrical strains and boats and yachts tossed into piles.
Earlier in the day, the Bidens took an aerial tour to get a wider take a look at the storm’s devastation earlier than assembly with the governor.
“I’m sure it’s much worse from the ground,” Biden stated. “But you can see a whole hell of a lot of damage from the air.”
President Joe Biden hugs a neighborhood resident impacted by Hurricane Ian at Fishermans Wharf in Fort Myers, Fla., Oct. 5, 2022.
Olivier Douliery/AFP by way of Getty Images
Biden touted his administration’s response up to now and emphasised the federal authorities’s ongoing dedication to the individuals of Florida as they recuperate and rebuild, which he stated will take years.
“We’re not leaving till this gets done. I promise you that,” Biden stated.
President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden survey storm-ravaged areas by way of helicopter en path to Fishermans Wharf in Fort Myers, Fla., Oct. 5, 2022, in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian.
Olivier Douliery/Pool by way of AFP/Getty Images
Ahead of the go to, the White House stated Biden would announce he is doubling the size of time the federal authorities will cowl all the prices related with search and rescue, particles elimination, sheltering and different emergency measures from 30 days to 60 days.
Desantis had requested the help extension final week. In response to the announcement, he informed reporters, “It’s important, but we may need more.”
Biden stated 4,000 federal personnel are on the bottom in Florida and the Southeast. Search and rescue groups have knocked on over 70,000 doorways, he stated, with 3,800 individuals. He additionally mentioned extra methods the federal authorities may help with different actions FEMA, the Small Business Administration and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
President Joe Biden meets with native residents impacted by Hurricane Ian at Fishermans Wharf in Fort Myers, Fla., Oct. 5, 2022.
Olivier Douliery/AFP by way of Getty Images
Wednesday’s go to was the primary face-to-face assembly between Biden and DeSantis because the governor ordered migrants flown from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard, which the White House this week continued to slam as a “political stunt.”
Biden and DeSantis have put politics apart to reply to Hurricane Ian, as they spoke a number of instances earlier than and after the storm hit as Biden issued emergency declarations.
“I want to thank President Biden and Jill Biden as well as Administrator Deanne Criswell for coming down here looking at a really really significant damage here in Lee County and there’s other places where you have really significant damage as well outside of this general area,” DeSantis stated Wednesday.”We were very fortunate to have good coordination with the White House and with FEMA from the very beginning of this.”
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, First Lady Jill Biden, and President Joe Biden stroll to fulfill with native residents impacted by Hurricane Ian at Fishermans Pass in Fort Myers, Fla., Oct. 5, 2022.
Olivier Douliery/AFP by way of Getty Images
The Florida journey got here simply days after Biden traveled to Puerto Rico, which was hit by Hurricane Fiona final month.
The Category 1 storm hit the island on Sept. 18, knocking out energy for many of the U.S. territory’s residents and killing not less than 13 individuals. As of Biden’s go to, greater than two weeks after the storm, greater than 100,000 individuals had been nonetheless with out energy.
During his go to to Port of Ponce, on the south aspect of Puerto Rico, Biden introduced greater than $60 million in federal funding to assist the island higher put together for excessive climate occasions in the wake of Hurricane Fiona.
“Puerto Rico is a strong place, and Puerto Ricans are strong people,” Biden stated as he spoke on the Port of Ponce. “But even so, you have had to bear so much and more than need be, and you haven’t gotten the help in a timely way.”
[my_adsense_shortcode_1]
Source link
[my_taboola_shortcode_1]
