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Columbia County Observer

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Hurricane IAN: FDOT Reports Search and Rescue Efforts Underway

Columbia County Dodged the Bullet, Many Others Didn't

Governor DeSantis reports on Ian to the State as the First Lady looks on
Screen shot | Columbia County Observer graphic

TALLAHASSEE, FL — This morning, Governor Ron DeSantis issued updates on Hurricane Ian at the State Emergency Operations Center with Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie and the First Lady.

FDOT Update

Since 1:00 a.m., search and rescue operations have been underway in response to Hurricane Ian. Urban Search and Rescue Team 2 was the first on site, and the Coast Guard made dozens of rescues overnight. There are 8 USAR teams with more than 800 team members performing search and rescue.

There are currently 42,000 linemen responding to the more than 2 million reported power outages. Floridians should continue to heed local weather warnings and listen to local officials for updated safety information. 

Today, President Biden approved Governor DeSantis’ request for a Major Disaster Declaration, which unlocks federal assistance in affected areas for individuals, state, tribal, and local governments, and certain private nonprofit organizations. The Declaration makes federal funding available to governments and eligible nonprofit organizations in the affected areas for debris removal and emergency protective measures on a cost-sharing basis.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is authorized to cover 100 percent of eligible costs for 30 days beginning September 23, 2022. The Governor requested the Declaration immediately upon landfall of Hurricane Ian to ensure that the State could quickly move forward into response and recovery.

Search and Rescue

• Since 1:00 a.m., search and rescue operations have been underway in response to Hurricane Ian. Urban Search and Rescue Team 2 was the first on site, and the Coast Guard made dozens of rescues overnight. There are 8 USAR teams with more than 800 team members performing search and rescue.

• The National Guard and the Coast Guard are landing helicopters on barrier islands to perform search and rescue.

• Search and Rescue crews rallied at the Fort Myers Sports Complex and have been running operations for the past 5 hours.

• Florida National Guard members are conducting incident awareness and assessment missions this morning in Sarasota, De Soto, Charlotte, Collier, and Lee Counties. We expect the Florida Guard to be engaged throughout the day in many missions, including search and rescue and route clearance operations.

• Last night, Florida National Guard Brig. Gen. Sean Boyette, Task Force Florida commander, was appointed the Dual Status Command (DSC) commander in anticipation of Title 10 active-duty forces being assigned to assist with recovery operations. 

• Following Governor DeSantis' authorization, 5,000 Florida Guardsmen have been activated to State Active Duty for Hurricane Ian response operations. Up to 2,000 Guardsmen from neighboring states are also activated to assist.

As the Governor concluded his remarks, he mentioned the other states in Ian's path, "This thing is not done creating damage." (added to the FDOT release-ed)

The Goveror's remarks are here.

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