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Posted on 10/14/2022 9:01:34 AM PDT by Joe Brower
What Florida Needs to Recover From Hurricane Ian
Real Clear Florida
Marco Rubio
10/13/22
A few years ago, while visiting the National Hurricane Center, I asked the staff to describe a worst-case weather scenario for Florida. They described a high-category hurricane stalling off the coast and pummeling the western side of the state with storm surge. In other words, they described Hurricane Ian.
Over the course of that storm, Florida suffered as much as $50 billion in property damage. Whole communities were destroyed. Islands were cut off. And the death toll, now exceeding 100, continues to rise. It’s the worst natural disaster to hit Florida in almost a century.
Much of what has been lost can never be replaced. The loved ones killed by storm surge are never coming back. Family photos and houses filled with memories are gone forever. Similarly, though places like Sanibel Island will be rebuilt, they won’t be the same. You can’t resurrect a priceless slice of Old Florida.
And yet, Floridians will keep going. We will recover. Homes and businesses will be rebuilt, schools will reopen, and our state will emerge stronger than ever. We have done it before, and we will do it again. Florida is home, and folks aren’t going to leave it behind for anywhere else.
Given the scale and scope of the disaster––by some measures, the fifth-strongest hurricane ever to hit the United States––the federal government has an important role to play in facilitating Florida’s recovery. No matter how well-prepared a state or local government may be, efforts of this magnitude require federal assistance.
That starts with coordinating the immediate response. In this regard, cooperation between the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the state has already been tremendous. FEMA and agencies like the Small Business Administration (SBA) will continue to provide individual assistance to residents and small businesses affected by the storm.
But the federal government also has a role to play in supporting Florida’s rebuilding efforts through a disaster-spending package. After weeks spent on the ground, a meeting with President Joe Biden, and regular talks with Governor Ron DeSantis and local officials across the state, I can attest that such a plan is coming together. As a member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, I am working with my colleagues in Congress to approve a $33 billion spending package laser-focused on helping Florida recover from this catastrophic storm. The approval and implementation of this assistance should not be politicized, delayed, or exploited.
The list of Florida’s needs is long and varied. Certain crops have been wiped out, and it will take about $2 billion to restore the farms and orchards that grew them. This is a high priority because food security is national security. Meanwhile, hundreds of millions of dollars are needed to ensure that Floridians have clean drinking water. Florida residents also require at least $5 billion through the Community Development Block Grant for Disaster Recovery. And we need at least $10 billion for construction projects conducted by the Army Corps of Engineers.
The Coast Guard must have resources to rebuild Station Fort Myers. National parks and other wildlife areas require repairs and clean-up. Bridges need to be rebuilt and restored, as do schools, hospitals, veterans’ facilities, and courthouses damaged by the storm. Ultimately, FEMA and the SBA will need more funds, too.
It’s a lot of money––and in truth, it is probably just the beginning. The damage done by Ian was extensive and crosses huge portions of the state. Though it will take time to calculate that damage and understand what is needed to rebuild, we can’t wait forever to appropriate the funds.
Florida will never be the same. But we are resilient people, and with help, we can and will regain our strength. Now it’s up to Congress to help make that happen. To my colleagues in the Senate and the House: Let’s get this done.
“What Florida Needs to Recover From Hurricane Ian”
The money Brandon is sending to Ukraine?
Just rename Florida to New Ukraine and the billons should start rolling in.
Not sure I believe his conversation with NHS person. Sounds like a politician story
No! They need to send all the money to Ukraine, otherwise they might get exposed for the thieves they are. Priorities, man!
It needs to be left to its own. Crisis assistance by the feds means loss of liberty.
Florida gets hit by storms.
Insurance is there to cover un-anticipated losses, not regular and recurring destruction.
All else is just plain risk. Some folks avoid obvious risks. Some insure against it. Should you build in a Huricane zone? Flood Zone? Earthquake zone?
That’s for folks to decide, on their own, with their own money, not mine.
Sorry, that’s the honest truth.
When you live close to the water once in a while you will be in the water.
Covid vaxxxxine!
Unfortunately I agree. Also asking the Feds for recovery money will be met with resistance from many who don’t want their tax dollars to be used to cover someone else’s questionable choice of where to live. Most likely it will be those in blue states who complain the loudest. It is a shame that even an act of kindness has to be tainted by partisan politics.
We just need “electrolytes”
Concrete walls. Concrete floors. Spancrete roof. Beater cheap car. 1 bicycle per person. Wardrobe of tee shirts, shorts, dockside shoes, flip flops. Furnish from Goodwill. It's just a place to sleep.
Amen!!
The wife and I are shopping real estate to go back now in retirement years. We were waiting for a good hurricane to buy.
Make sure to inspect for mold, everywhere. A friend near Englewood said it came in thru the windows and all around the windows are wet/soaked.
Spartan place to cook seafood, drink beer, and sleep after the beach. Must be within bicycle distance of ocean. Usually within a mile of the intercoastal waterway on the east coast.
Here in central Indiana we can't even keep our Mcdonald's running at full capacity!
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