In preparation for Hurricane Ida, a category 5 storm that made landfall in Florida on Wednesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) is more than prepared as the Sunshine state faces down the eye of the storm.
On Monday, the governor held a press briefing announcing preparations for power outages and downed power lines as the hurricane approached the Gulf Coast of Florida.
Governor DeSantis is in Pinellas County delivering an update on Hurricane Ian. https://t.co/sI8bIwS8jN
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) September 26, 2022
“There may not be direct impacts in all 67 counties,” the governor explained, adding, “but there may be indirect impacts not just from the storm, but also from people that may be evacuating to other parts of the state.”
“So we want to make sure that our communities have the maximum flexibility that they need to be able to respond to the storm in any way that they need to,” he added, per Breitbart.
“I think Floridians who are in the path of the storm, if you’re not an evacuation zone and you’re happy with your home,” he cautioned to brave Floridians, “the sturdiness of your home and you’re hunkering down, just be prepared to lose power.”
“And depending on the severity of the storm, power outages can be lengthy,” he continued in regards to lineman working to get power restored during the storm. “It may not just be one day where you’re out of power. So prepare for that, understand that that’s something that’s a possibility.”
“The manpower is there. The urgency will be there as well,” the Floridian concluded. “But just prepare yourself that a storm of this magnitude is going to take power out more than likely.”
CASEY DESANTIS GIVES HEARTWARMING ANNIVERSARY NOTE TO HUSBAND RON
Hurricane Ida has already ravaged the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico and the nation of Cuba, knocking out power on both islands and leading to devastating damage, as reported by the Associated Press.
Governor DeSantis, however, won't be caught off guard. He has been preparing for the hurricane over the past week beginning with a state of emergency declaration on Saturday that called up 5,000 National Guardsmen to assist in rescue efforts.
“Hurricane Ian is making landfall now. Florida is ready to respond,” the governor tweeted on Wednesday, adding, “We have fleets of highwater vehicles, 42,000 linemen, 7,000 National Guardsmen and 179 aircraft prepared to help.”
#HurricaneIan is making landfall now. Florida is ready to respond. We have fleets of highwater vehicles, 42,000 linemen, 7,000 National Guardsmen and 179 aircraft prepared to help.
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) September 28, 2022
“Ahead of Hurricane Ian, 5,000 Florida Guardsmen have been activated and pre-positioned at armories across the state to serve Floridians and run response operations,” the governor wrote. “Thank you for your service to our state.”
Ahead of #HurricaneIan, 5,000 Florida Guardsmen have been activated and pre-positioned at armories across the state to serve Floridians and run response operations. Thank you for your service to our state.
Follow @FLSERT for updates on how to prepare for #Ian.
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) September 27, 2022
As of today, 176 shelters have been opened including more than 50 special needs shelters,” the governor explained, adding, “we are anticipating more to open.”
As of today, 176 shelters have been opened including more than 50 special needs shelters, and we are anticipating more to open.
To find a shelter near you, visit: https://t.co/OffJGF3vLN
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) September 28, 2022
Hurricane Ida will likely cause significant damage in Florida and families across the state will lose their homes. If you would like to help the people of Florida in their time of need, you can donate at FloridaDisasterFund.org.
Thousands of Floridians will need help rebuilding from #HurricaneIan.
To contribute to the Florida Disaster to help those in need, visit https://t.co/aTFskrOPSU or text DISASTER to 20222. pic.twitter.com/LAFMVMidwX
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) September 28, 2022
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