FEMA says it is going to proceed to offer assets to Florida as US harm evaluation after the devastating storm continues.
US President Joe Biden has prolonged the most important catastrophe declaration for Florida to 60 days, which permits the US federal authorities to completely cowl the price of particles elimination and sheltering within the aftermath of Hurricane Ian that battered the state final week, destroying properties and companies and killing dozens.
Throughout a go to to Fort Myers on Wednesday, Biden pledged to place the complete weight of the federal authorities to assist Florida with the restoration and rebuilding efforts.
“I would like the folks of Florida to know you've my dedication and America’s dedication that we’re not going to depart; we’re going to see you thru this whole course of,” Biden mentioned.
“And it’s going to take a hell of a very long time – hopefully with none snags in the best way. Later after the tv cameras have moved on, we’re nonetheless going to be right here with you. We’re nonetheless going to be transferring. We’re nonetheless going to be doing all the pieces we will to attempt to put your lives again collectively once more.”
The president surveyed the harm from the storm and met with native residents and enterprise homeowners throughout his journey on Wednesday, accompanied by state officers, together with his political rival Governor Ron DeSantis.
Talking alongside Biden on Wednesday, DeSantis praised cooperation with the federal authorities and thanked the Biden administration for extending the catastrophe declaration, which he referred to as “important assist”.
He mentioned electrical energy in Florida has been restored to 97 p.c of shoppers, together with 85 p.c of southwestern Lee County, the place the hurricane made landfall.
“We're chopping by way of the crimson tape – and that’s from native authorities, state authorities all the best way as much as the president – so we admire the group effort,” DeSantis mentioned.
For his half, Biden confused a message of unity within the face of the catastrophe. “We’re on this collectively. That is the US of America, the US of America. It’s not one thing else,” he mentioned placing an emphasis on the phrase “united”.
Biden had dismissed issues that his relationship with DeSantis – a possible Republican presidential candidate for 2024 and vocal critic of the White Home – would have an effect on the push to assist Florida.
“This isn't about something having to do with our disagreements politically; that is about saving folks’s lives, properties and companies. That’s what that is about,” the US president mentioned final week.
The hurricane induced catastrophic flooding and destruction throughout southeastern elements of the US, killing greater than 100 folks. Florida was hit the toughest by the storm, which additionally wreaked havoc within the Carolinas.
Federal Emergency Administration Company (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell advised reporters on Wednesday that the federal authorities has almost 4,000 personnel on the bottom to assist with the rescue and aid efforts.
“We have now 17 search-and-rescue groups nonetheless in Lee County which can be going door by door to make it possible for we now have accounted for everyone,” she mentioned.
“Yesterday alone, they had been capable of assess 24,000 constructions. They’re going to proceed to be within the county till each construction has been checked out and cleared to ensure no one nonetheless wants rescue.”
Criswell added that FEMA helps with transitional sheltering for folks whose properties had been destroyed within the storm, saying that the property harm – which remains to be being assessed – goes to be within the billions of dollars.
“We’re going to proceed to maneuver in assets and assist as we begin the rebuilding efforts,” she mentioned. “And as all the time, we’re going to be actually targeted on as we rebuild that we’re doing it in a manner that’s going to make these communities extra resilient.”
Florida and the Caribbean have seen an uptick in regional flooding and devastating storms because of the local weather disaster.
On Wednesday, Biden mentioned the hurricane ended the dialogue on whether or not local weather change is actual and must be addressed. “The important thing right here is constructing again higher and stronger to face up to the subsequent storm,” he mentioned. “You may’t construct again to what it was earlier than; you’ve bought to construct again higher as a result of we all know extra is coming.”
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