Right now, the state of Florida remains in recovery mode as it pertains to the aftermath of Hurricane Ian. Some areas of the state, such as Fort Myers and Naples, suffered some very real damages.
There are a lot of questions about how long the recovery process will take.
Some people had their homes destroyed and ended up losing everything. Viral videos appeared online of folks swimming in their flooded houses, downed power lines, and other destruction from Hurricane Ian.
As the hurricane previously approached, Joe Biden came under fire for claiming COVID-19 vaccines were a great way to prepare for the natural disaster.
Now, the president has new comments about both Hurricane Ian and his political feud with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, as documented by The Hill.
The Latest From Biden on DeSantis and Hurricane Ian
While speaking at the headquarters of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the president claimed his back-and-forth with DeSantis about political issues is a non-factor.
Biden then made a point of saying he was complimented by the Florida governor for his prompt response to the hurricane. This came before the president stated political disagreements with DeSantis aren’t relevant, whereas saving the lives and properties of individuals is.
This morning, I spoke with Governor Ron DeSantis to discuss the steps we're taking to support Florida in response to Hurricane Ian.
I've also directed FEMA Administrator Criswell to travel to Florida tomorrow to check in on response and survey where additional support is needed. pic.twitter.com/W6MDDDepe2
— President Biden (@POTUS) September 29, 2022
Later on, Biden is set to visit the Sunshine State in the wake of the hurricane. Though the president wants to do this at a time that won’t sabotage efforts being done to recover and rebuild.
Before the hurricane, Biden was going to visit Orlando, Florida in order to campaign for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist. However, the president was forced to cancel this event amid news of the hurricane heading to Florida.
According to Biden, he’s spoken with DeSantis at least four to five times ahead of and after Ian struck.
A Long Road Ahead
While some areas of Florida weren’t hit as hard as anticipated, others really bore the brunt of this storm.
One factor working in Florida’s favor, however, is Joe Biden approving a declaration of major disaster. This ultimately allows the state to have access to pick up debris and more damages in Ian’s aftermath without massive costs attached.
President Biden says he's had good conversations with Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) about Hurricane Ian aid:
"He complimented me, he thanked me for the immediate response we had, he told me how much he appreciated it … This is not about … our disagreements politically." pic.twitter.com/SymBlqG75X
— The Recount (@therecount) September 29, 2022
Some airports in Florida that closed down earlier this week have reopened. However, food service, shopping, etc., in these airports may be limited. Ultimately, travelers are being widely encouraged to look at their specific flights and airlines before heading to the airports.
Time will tell how much is necessary for the Sunshine State to fully bounce back from Hurricane Ian.
What do you think about Joe Biden’s response to Florida being hit by Hurricane Ian? In the comments area down below, you are more than welcome to let us know what you make of the president’s comments.
