DeSantis says Florida is ready for Atlantic hurricane season, urges preparations
FORT MYERS, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis emphasized the importance of disaster preparedness during a press conference on Tuesday as Florida’s hurricane season officially began the previous week.
“So we are gonna be prepared, we’ve put a lot of emphasis in the state on recovery, response. I know when [Hurricane] Ian came, millions and millions of people were restored on power across the state within 48 hours,” DeSantis said.
He added how the state doesn’t typically like to rely on the federal government for disaster relief resources, so they take it upon themselves to be prepared and ready for all scenarios.
“As individual Floridians, you have a role to play in making sure that you’re prepared,” he said. “So we’re here today to remind folks of the need to have a hurricane preparedness plan. Make sure that you understand the needs of children, seniors and your household pets in particular.”
DeSantis also used the opportunity to award funding to help rebuild infrastructure in Fort Myers.
“I’m proud to be able to announce today that I’m going to be awarding $7.5 million to Lee County to help rebuild and enhance the shrimp dock at San Carlos Maritime Park,” he said.
“This dual purpose facility will serve as an emergency operations site to launch barges and provide a place for shrimp vessels to dock and transfer product to distribution trucks,” he added.
The governor also encouraged the state’s residents to have multiple ways to receive weather updates in case they lose power.
Additionally, he mentioned how the Florida State Guard is ready to respond by providing aid and resources to impacted communities.
DeSantis highlighted how the state House and Senate passed legislation continuing the four total weeks of Florida’s disaster preparedness tax holiday. The savings begin on the first two weeks of hurricane season, June 1-14 and pick up again from Aug. 25-Sept. 6.
The goods and material that will qualify for a sales tax exemption during those weeks include the following purchases:
- $10 or less: Can or pouches of wet pet food
- $15 or less: Manual can openers, collapsible or travel-size food and water bowls for pets, cat litter pans, pet waste disposable bags, hamster or rabbit substrate
- $20 or less: Reusable ice, leashes, collars and muzzles for pets, pet pads
- $25 or less: Cat litter
- $40 or less: Portable self-powered lighting sources, pet beds
- $50 or less: Portable self-powered radios, two-way radios, or weather-band radios, gas or diesel fuel tanks, batteries including AA and AAA
- $60 or less: Nonelectric food storage coolers, portable power banks
- $70 or less: Smoke detectors or smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, carbon monoxide detectors
- $100 or less: Tarpaulins, ground anchor systems, portable pet kennels, pet medications, dry cat or dog food
- $3,000 or less: Portable generators
Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie thanked the governor for his work to bolster the state’s disaster preparedness resources and committed to cautiously preparing for the worst as hurricane season began.
“We have plenty of water, plenty of food, plenty of tarps and other commodities and equipment that are on hand, ready to go,” Guthrie said.
Senate President Kathleen Passidomo also thanked the governor for his work and reemphasized the importance of having disaster preparedness plans at the state and local level.
She expressed that she is “confident” in the state’s ability to handle whatever disasters hit Florida throughout the year.
