(Paula Bolyard – PJ Media) Nothing tests the mettle of a governor like a natural disaster, with hurricanes being among the worst. Emergency efforts include everything from rescue and recovery of victims, to restoration of power, to distribution of needed supplies, to rebuilding cities affected by the storm.
Hurricane Ian, a massive Category 4 storm, made landfall in Florida on Wednesday afternoon, but the worst may be yet to come with storm surges, massive power outages that could last for days, and major rainfall expected.
During a press conference on Wednesday evening, Gov. Ron DeSantis warned that Floridians are still “in a very hazardous situation.” But he assured residents that the state is making a “great logistical effort to put all hands on deck” with a “massive surge of personnel and supplies to help those in need.”
Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) director Kevin Guthrie told reporters that DeSantis has hardly left his side over the last few days and worked with him until late last night. “The governor is extremely committed to being involved in the hurricane response,” he said.
On Tuesday afternoon, DeSantis’s office sent out a press release outlining the state’s response to the storm — and it’s extraordinary. Not only does his plan include assisting with practical needs like the provision of food and water, but the governor has also ordered agencies to cut red tape to ensure that people get the help they need, including waiving rules that prevent people from refilling their prescriptions early, and releasing SNAP benefits (food stamps) early to allow people to stock up on food ahead of the hurricane. DeSantis has also ensured that 100% of senior care homes have generators, and the state has supplies staged and ready to be deployed the moment it’s safe for first responders to enter the affected areas.
Many on the left — who are predisposed to hate DeSantis — have been caught hoping he’ll fail and predicting a massive death toll — because that’ll show the cons or something. But a quick glance at the governor’s emergency preparations gives lie to their predictions.
State preparation and response efforts include:
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