DeSantis Notes 2,500 Rescues Since Ian Struck

NOKOMIS (FLV) – Gov. Ron DeSantis announced there have been 2,500 rescues made as of Thursday with more more than 1,000 team members performing search and rescue.

“Particularly on some of these really hard hit barrier islands, but also some of the places more inland that had massive, massive rainfall and massive flooding,” DeSantis said Thursday.

Joint Task Force Florida mobilized 5,050 people and is carrying out duties in response to Hurricane Ian after DeSantis gave the go-ahead. A total of 247 missions have been supported by the Florida National Guard. And to assist state USAR Task Forces and incident assessment, a Florida Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Team was sent to Central Florida.

The Missouri Task Force 1 Disaster Situational Assessment and Reconnaissance (DSAR) Team will also help with urban search and rescue operations.

“So it’s required a major, major effort. And we’ve had more urban search and rescue teams in Florida since the storm than at any time in our country’s history since 9/11,” DeSantis said. “So this was a huge effort. Coast Guard, urban search and rescue teams, local law enforcement, state law enforcement like Florida Fish and Wildlife being on the boats and all the stuff they’ve done, we really, really appreciate it.”

More than 90,000 structures have been checked, mostly in hard hit areas, searching for survivors, according to DeSantis.

There have been efforts to improve community and emergency communication post-hurricane and the DCF has created a First Responder Support Line (407-823-1657). First responders throughout the impacted areas can contact this number to connect first responders with mental health specialists.

People who are safe and have been found can be reported at http://safe.fl.gov.