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President Biden, Gov. DeSantis meet on Fort Myers Beach

By CJ HADDAD / cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com - | Oct 6, 2022

President Joe Biden speaks on Fort Myers Beach today. The president toured Southwest Florida via helicopter to evaluate the damage wrought by Hurricane Ian. Gov. Ron DeSantis made another set of rounds today, joining Biden on his stop on Fort Myers Beach and also paying another visit to Matlacha.

President Joe Biden visited surrounding areas of Southwest Florida on Wednesday, surveying the destruction of Hurricane Ian first-hand.

Biden and Gov. Ron DeSantis met to chat and held a press conference in one of the most heavily impacted areas: Fort Myers Beach.

The president said he and Lee County Commission Chair Cecil Pendergrass went on a helicopter tour of the area that included Sanibel, another highly-devastated island town.

He described the many disasters in various areas of the country he’s visited during his presidency, and said, “There’s a lot going on. And I think the one thing this has finally ended is the discussion of whether or not there’s climate change and we should do something about it.”

As Biden stood at disheveled Fisherman’s Wharf, he shared him sympathies for residents and business owners who will surely have to build from scratch.

“It’s going to take years to get everything squared away in the state of Florida,” Biden said. “To fully recover and rebuild.”

Biden said his trip was centered around one job, and that was “to make sure the people of Florida have everything that they need to fully, thoroughly recover.”

He added that the United States is the only nation to come out of disasters better than before, and envisions the same for Southwest Florida.

“This is the United States of America, and I emphasize ‘united,'” Biden said.

The communication among state, local, and federal government was praised by Biden, who credited DeSantis for his work. He said the country pre-positioned the largest number of search-and-rescue teams in its history.

Teams to date have knocked on more than 70,000 doors and completed or carried out more than 3,800 rescues.

More than 24,000 structures were examined on Tuesday in Lee County alone. Thousands of utility workers from across the U.S. have come to the region.

“This is about America coming together,” Biden said. “And I really mean it.”

A Disaster Recovery Center was opened Tuesday in Fort Myers at Lakes Regional Library, and Biden said three more would be open in Southwest Florida by Thursday, with more locations to come. There, residents can find a one-stop-shop for FEMA and insurance claims.

Biden said 200,000 Florida families have registered for Urgent Assistance to date, and that low-interest Small Business Association disaster loans are available.

The state has activated its hotel program for those looking for temporary housing, where they can get a room free of charge.

Biden said those without insurance and those who are under-insured could be eligible for federal funds up to nearly $80,000.

To register and find our eligibility, call 1-800-621-3362 or visit a Disaster Recovery Center. Biden said he understands that phone wait times are lengthy, and is working to boost the number of FEMA employees to answer calls.

Biden said the $200 million given to Florida for Smart Grid Technology is restoring power to homes “quicker than ever.”

He said the state is already slated to receive $13 billion in federal funding over the next five years to improve roadways and bridges, and that the state has to “build back better and stronger to withstand the next storm.”

Biden closed by saying, “I promise you, we’re going to be with you every step or the way. To the people of Florida, we’re in this together. We’re going to get you all through this, and your grit will get you through this.”

-Connect with this reporter on Twitter: @haddad_cj