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 Images
Search and rescue efforts are underway in Florida after a devastating Category 4 hurricane made landfall Wednesday.
At least 77 individuals have been confirmed useless and greater than 860,000 individuals are nonetheless with out energy, in accordance with NBC News. There is “important injury” alongside Florida’s west coast and plenty of properties in central elements of the state are nonetheless underwater, FEMA director Deanne Criswell instructed ABC’s “This Week” Sunday.
She stated the street to restoration goes to be lengthy.
“We’re nonetheless actively within the search and rescue part, making an attempt to guarantee that we’re accounting for everyone that was within the storm’s path, and that we undergo each house to guarantee that we do not depart anyone behind,” she stated.
Criswell stated Hurricane Ian was “catastrophic,” and officers knew it will have a huge impact on Florida residents. A lot of federal and state search and rescue sources 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 are nonetheless there in the present day.”
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 selections ought to 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 take a look at that and say, ‘Does that make sense to their county.”‘
Commenting on general restoration efforts, Scott addressed issues within the property insurance coverage market, noting that insurance coverage fraud is hurting some corporations in Florida or discouraging others from conducting enterprise within the state.
“You must have stricter constructing codes,” he stated. “You must just remember to study from each storm and on high of that it’s a must to be sure that there is not any fraud.”
President Joe Biden will go to Florida on Wednesday to satisfy with officers and assess storm injury, the White House introduced Saturday.
He may also go to Puerto Rico as it really works to get well from Hurricane Fiona, which hit the island as a Category 1 storm in September.
“We’ll do every little thing we are able to to get these communities again on their toes,” Biden stated on Twitter.