Florida
Search and rescue efforts underway in Florida after ‘catastrophic’ hurricane
An aerial image taken on September 30, 2022 reveals the one entry to the Matlacha neighborhood destroyed within the aftermath of Hurricane Ian in Fort Myers, Florida.
Ricardo Arduengo | AFP | Getty Photos
Search and rescue efforts are underway in Florida after a devastating Class 4 hurricane made landfall Wednesday.
Not less than 77 folks have been confirmed lifeless and greater than 860,000 individuals are nonetheless with out energy, in line with NBC Information. There’s “important injury” alongside Florida’s west coast and plenty of houses in central components of the state are nonetheless underwater, FEMA director Deanne Criswell advised ABC’s “This Week” Sunday.
She stated the street to restoration goes to be lengthy.
“We’re nonetheless actively within the search and rescue section, attempting to ensure that we’re accounting for everyone that was within the storm’s path, and that we undergo each house to ensure that we do not go away anyone behind,” she stated.
Criswell stated Hurricane Ian was “catastrophic,” and officers knew it might have a big effect on Florida residents. Numerous federal and state search and rescue assets had been staged and able to exit “instantly” after the storm, she stated.
“They had been out earlier than dawn on Thursday,” Criswell stated. “They’re nonetheless there at present.”
Sen. Rick Scott of Florida echoed that sentiment whereas addressing issues over rebuilding cell house parks in Florida and the necessity for doubtlessly stricter constructing codes. He stated these choices must be determined by every county.
“You do not ever need these items to occur once more,” he stated throughout an interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday. “I believe each county goes to have to have a look at that and say, ‘Does that make sense to their county.”‘
Commenting on total restoration efforts, Scott addressed issues within the property insurance coverage market, noting that insurance coverage fraud is hurting some firms in Florida or discouraging others from conducting enterprise within the state.
“You must have stricter constructing codes,” he stated. “You must just remember to be taught from each storm and on prime of that it’s a must to make sure that there isn’t any fraud.”
President Joe Biden will go to Florida on Wednesday to satisfy with officers and assess storm injury, the White Home introduced Saturday.
He can even go to Puerto Rico as it really works to get well from Hurricane Fiona, which hit the island as a Class 1 storm in September.
“We’ll do every part we will to get these communities again on their ft,” Biden stated on Twitter.