By now, we have all heard about the devastation in Florida from Hurricane Ian. It has caused over 68 deaths, 2.5 million evacuations, 3.4 power outages, and over $60 billion in insured damages1. That was only the human toll. The storm itself was sixth major hurricane to hit the Gulf of Mexico in the past six years, and had the fifth strongest winds ever recorded2. It is one of the most devastating Hurricanes to hit in recent years, and the the human toll is only expected to rise.
In response, Governor Ron Desantis (R-FL) issued a state of emergency in the days leading to the landfall of Ian. As a result, over 800 USAR members are preforming search and rescue, and deploying the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) to assist those affected by the hurricane, along with supplying the majority of South Florida with resources and supplies to do so3. Desantis himself has taken tours of the devastation, touring the hard hit town of Arcadia a few days ago, among others.
President Biden (D) has declared a state of emergency as well, and taken actions to assist those affected, like deploying FEMA. This included millions in federal funding to help clear roadways, and rescue survivors. Biden just yesterday increased the time period of the emergency declaration by another 30 days4, and said this in a speech in Fort Myers:
I’ve instructed my administration to bring — bring every element — I mean every element — of the federal government together to help with the immediate needs and long-term rebuilding.5
He also had this to say about his commitment to the people of Florida in the coming months and potentially years:
I want the people of fori- — Florida to know: You have my commitment and America’s commitment that we’re not going to leave. We’re going to see you through this entire process and it’s going to take a hell of long time, hopefully without any snags in the way.
Later, after the television cameras have moved on, we’re still going to be with you. We’re still going to be moving. We’re still going to be doing everything we can to try to put your lives back together again.6
This right here is an example of what we need in our country. It is no secret that Biden and Desantis are at a constant political brawl, taking shot after shot at each other. But the two have been silent, and cooperative, since Ian hit. Unification, especially after natural disasters like Hurricane Ian, is more important than political division. While the visit wasn’t completely apolitical (Biden mentioned climate change to open his speech), it is a step in the right direction. The midterm elections are a month away, and traditionally this has been the most polarized time in American politics, but it is reassuring to see two major political players from both parties be able to set aside their differences and work for the common good of the American people, because at the end of the day Hurricane Ian does not care about who you vote for.
This whole situation has not been without its political division however, but now it is not time to debate the division in our country, but to help the people of Florida.
If you would like to help the victims of Hurricane Ian, here is a link to the FEMA website on how to do so: https://www.fema.gov/blog/heres-how-you-can-help-hurricane-survivors
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Livingston, Ian. 2022. “What Made Hurricane Ian so Intense: By the Numbers.” Washington Post, October 4, 2022. https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2022/10/04/hurricane-ian-statistics-deaths-winds-surge/.
Ibid.
“Florida Response to Hurricane Ian Continues.” n.d. Accessed October 6, 2022. https://www.flgov.com/2022/09/30/florida-response-to-hurricane-ian-continues/.
“President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Amends Florida Disaster Declaration | FEMA.gov.” n.d. Www.fema.gov. Accessed October 6, 2022. https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20221005/president-joseph-r-biden-jr-amends-florida-disaster-declaration.
Biden, Joe 2022. “Remarks by President Biden on Hurricane Ian Response and Recovery Efforts.” The White House. October 6, 2022. https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2022/10/05/remarks-by-president-biden-on-hurricane-ian-response-and-recovery-efforts/.
Ibid.