By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
In the aftermath of Hurricane Milton’s devastating impact on Florida, the Biden-Harris Administration has mounted a robust federal response to assist recovery efforts. Officials said the administration ensured there were pre-staging personnel and resources before the storm hit, and teams were swiftly deployed to support state and local officials. The administration said the focus spotlighted search and rescue, power restoration, and debris cleanup as immediate priorities.
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have communicated closely with state leaders, receiving updates on the storm’s impact and coordinating federal support. Biden, who spoke with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, emphasized the federal government’s commitment to aiding recovery. He assured DeSantis that the federal government would provide “any federal support the state needs to speed response and recovery.”
To expedite relief for residents, Biden said he directed FEMA to open disaster recovery centers across the affected areas, offering centralized resources for individuals seeking federal assistance. As part of restoring power, the Federal Aviation Administration authorized Florida Power and Light to deploy drones for damage assessment, allowing ground crews to accelerate repairs.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Coast Guard have also been tasked with assessing how quickly the Port of Tampa can reopen, which will be vital for re-establishing the flow of essential goods, including fuel, food, and water. Three Army Corps Temporary Power teams have also mobilized to support power restoration, and more than 50,000 utility workers from across the United States, Washington, D.C., and Canada have been mobilized to support crucial facilities like hospitals.
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell has been on the ground since last night, coordinating closely with state and local leaders. Joined by over 1,000 federal responders, Criswell continues to evaluate the storm’s impact and address unmet needs.
FEMA’s deputy administrator, Erik Hooks, spoke about the agency’s efforts on the Black Press’ Let It Be Known digital show. “It has been tremendous,” Hooks said. “You know, there are always a lot of challenges when you have a major and complicated storm and a community like that, but there are many assets on the ground.” He also addressed misinformation that has circulated about relief efforts, highlighting the complexities of coordinating a response of this magnitude.
In addition to speaking with DeSantis, Biden said he’s reached out to numerous local officials across Florida, including Sen. Rick Scott and Reps. Gus Bilirakis, Kathy Castor, and Anna Paulina Luna. He also called several mayors. Biden urged all of them to seek direct federal assistance as needed and reiterated his commitment to supporting Florida’s recovery.
“We will be with you and your communities before, during, and after the storm,” Biden declared.
