Governor Ron DeSantis visited the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office to visit with first responders and to show his support for those selflessly serving their communities. While there he announced that $2 million from the Florida Disaster Fund is being awarded to four first responder organizations which have had members impacted by Hurricane Ian. Governor DeSantis also visited Gulf Elementary School to announce that all Lee County School District schools will be open by Tuesday, October 18, less than three weeks after Hurricane Ian made landfall. To watch the Governor’s full remarks click here and here.
First Lady Casey DeSantis announced that the Florida Disaster Fund has raised over $45 million since activation. To read more info, click here. To contribute, please visit www.FloridaDisasterFund.org or text DISASTER to 20222.
Additionally, the First Lady has worked with the State Disaster Recovery Mental Health Coordinator, Sara Newhouse, to compile a webpage of resources to help first responders navigate resources for mental health needs post hurricane. To visit the site, click here. Mental health resources for individuals and communities are available at MyFLFamilies.com/HurricaneIan. Floridians’ health and well-being are a top priority, and the Department of Children and Families is reminding individuals that they are not alone. All Floridians impacted by Hurricane Ian can find someone to talk to today through the Disaster Distress Helpline by calling 800-985-5990.
Safe and found persons can be reported safe at http://safe.fl.gov.
Additional programs that have been put into place to aid communities include the activation of the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program, the initiation of the Army Corps of Engineers’ Operation Blue Roof, and FDOT’s diligent work to construct temporary bridges into areas that are cut off from motorists. First Lady Casey DeSantis, Volunteer Florida and Tervis have created a design with Florida imagery for a new tumbler product. With every sale of this tumbler, all proceeds will go to the Florida Disaster Fund. Products are available for purchase on the Tervis website HERE and will soon be available in stores for purchase.
State response efforts include:
Search and Rescue
- There have been 2,500 rescues made to date.
- There are more than 1,000 team members performing search and rescue.
- DCF has created a First Responder Support Line (407-823-1657) that all first responders throughout the impacted areas can contact. This line combines current resources into a single point of contact that will connect first responders with mental health professionals.
- The State Disaster Recovery Mental Health Coordinator created a survey to assess the need for mental health services for Hurricane Ian first responders.
- Following Governor DeSantis’ authorization, Joint Task Force Florida has 4,351 personnel activated and is executing missions in response to Hurricane Ian. The Florida National Guard has supported a total of 246 missions.
- Task Force engineering resources have been deployed to assist with route clearance in Pine Island and Charlotte County. The FLNG has cleared 51.5 miles to date in the impacted area. Guardsmen continue to assist law enforcement with roving patrols, security, traffic control and curfew enforcement missions.
- At the request of Governor DeSantis, FDEM worked with federal partners to secure an additional 30 days of 100% federal cost share for Public Assistance Category A (debris removal) and Category B (emergency protective measures) for Hurricane Ian recovery efforts. More information can be found here.
- Counties eligible for FEMA Individual Assistance include Brevard, Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Flagler, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Monroe, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns and Volusia. Impacted residents can apply at DisasterAssistance.gov.
- FDEM has worked with FEMA to activate the Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) Program for impacted residents in counties declared for FEMA Individual Assistance. FDEM will continue to work with FEMA to determine additional unmet needs for residents in newly declared counties for Individual Assistance. Individuals can apply for disaster assistance and may be eligible for TSA if they cannot return to their home.
- The Crisis Cleanup Line, 800-451-1954, provides debris removal services to impacted residents, and has completed more than 1,000 requests to date.
- In coordination with federal and state partners, more than 100 pets have been rescued through air operations from the Barrier Islands.
- Under State Coordinating Officer Kevin Guthrie, members of the Forward SERT have deployed to Southwest Florida to coordinate recovery efforts on scene.
- More than 14.1 million MREs and 51 million bottles of water have been distributed so far. PODs open today include:
- DeSoto County
- Nocatee Elementary School
- 4846 SW Shores
- Arcadia, FL 34266
- Nocatee Elementary School
- FDEM is working with feeding partners to operate kitchens for impacted and displaced residents. More than 57,900 hot meals were served on Wednesday, October 12, and more than 2.1 million hot meals have been served since volunteer kitchens opened.
- FDEM is coordinating with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to conduct infrastructure assessments of water treatment plants, wastewater treatment plants, and assisted living facilities.
- Through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), more than 1,800 personnel from 26 states have deployed to Florida to assist in response and recovery efforts.
- FDEM has activated the State Assistance Information Line (SAIL) to provide an additional resource for Floridians to receive up-to-date information regarding Hurricane Ian. Residents and visitors can call this toll-free hotline at 1-800-342-3557.
- FDEM has opened an additional fuel depot on Pine Island for a total of 13 fuel depots across Central and Southwest Florida to provide fuel for first responders. A public, mobile fuel depot is open at the Wa-Ke Hatchee Recreation Center and Park in Harlem Heights to provide fuel for vehicles and gas cans for generators to impacted residents.
- FDEM has received more than 6,000 resource requests for Hurricane Ian and fulfilled. Over 4,970 of these requests are currently being processed and are either in route or being mobilized. This includes the coordination of resources such as: trucks of food and water, generators and tarps.
- FDEM is mobilizing pet food and supplies for displaced pets, including: rabies vaccines, dry and canned dog food, dry and canned cat food, cat litter, disposable pet bowls and disposable leashes.
- 91 critical lift stations at wastewater treatment plants have been brought back online in Lee County through the utilization of generators and/or pumps.
- FDEM is deploying the following resources for distribution to impacted areas:
- 4 barges are aiding in the delivery of commodities in Lee County to Pine Island and Sanibel Island. Barges completed seven missions yesterday in support of critical infrastructure restoration and fuel supply.
- 2 Bobtails and 1 Humvee are staged and ready to depart to North Captiva Island.
- Coordinating to set up 4 barges to aid in the delivery of commodities in Lee County to Pine Island and Sanibel Island.
- Trailers for restrooms, showers, laundry, sleeping and sanitation to ensure the care of first responders in the field.
- More than 4,000 gallons of diesel to Lee County to power water plants that provide water to nearby hospitals.
- Drone teams to assess flooded areas.
- 500 traffic barrels to Charlotte County to safely modify traffic patterns.
- More than 500 generators for traffic signals and other traffic needs.
- 2 full-service mechanical shops.
- 500,000 tarps.
- 375 kits for parents of infants and toddlers with critical supplies that will last for 10 days each.
- Coordinating the provision of meals for first responders staged in Orange County.
- FDEM is in constant communication with all 67 county emergency management offices and state agencies to coordinate recovery actions and needed resources.
- Power has been restored to all accounts on the mainlaind which can receive it.
- For a full report on current outages, click here.
- DOH County Health Departments have been deployed to all Disaster Recovery Centers to provide services and resources. This includes Women and Infant Care, Vital Statistics, and other public health services. Costs for any vital statistics, such as birth and death certificates, have been waived.
- DOH’s Division of Children’s Medical Services’ Early Steps and Newborn Screening programs has sent additional supplies to Ft. Myers. Supplies include hand sanitizer, silicone bibs, thermometers, baby spoons, and cooling towels. This will be package in Moms and Babies’ waterproof bags and distributed to individuals in need.
- Hope Heroes are deployed to assist at shelters, Disaster Recovery Centers, as well as delivering meals to seniors’ homes and aiding in debris clean up. To become a Hope Hero and volunteer to help older Floridians, visit helpcreatehope.com.
- Visits are being conducted at all health care facilities in counties impacted by Hurricane Ian. AHCA has completed 615 assessments at facilities in Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Miami-Dade, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Sarasota, Seminole, Volusia.
- 102 clients have received weather-related Emergency Home Assistance for the Elder Program funds to assist with individuals experiencing a home energy emergency in the affected areas.
- 1 special needs shelter remains open, serving 19 clients. This shelter will be phased out as clients return to their homes or identify long term housing solutions.
- DOH’s Children’s Medical Services Plan and partners have setup 4 locations (one in DeSoto, Sarasota and Orange counties, and two locations in Lee County) for individuals to receive free hygiene and infant supplies, in addition to other essentials. All sites are open to the public.
- DeSoto County – First Christian Church located at 34 El Verano Ave., Arcadia, Florida 34266. Hours of operation are Noon to 6 p.m.
- Lee County – Family Initiative located at 734 SW 4th St., Cape Coral, Florida 33991. Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Lee County – Sunshine Fort Myers located at 4901 Palm Beach Blvd., Fort Myers, FL 33905. Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Sarasota County – Sarasota Christian Church located at 2923 Ashton Road, Sarasota, FL 34231. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Boil Water Notices have been issued for 90 areas, over 19 counties, following the impacts from Hurricane Ian. DOH continues to monitor and maintain a comprehensive statewide list of notices for residents to access online.
- DOH’s Maternal and Child Health Section facilitated the delivery of family supplies to Lee County. The following supplies were provided:
o 100 Electric rechargeable breast pumps (that also includes a car charger).
o 50 totes to carry the pump and bottles.
o 100 sets of bottles (2 bottles in each set).
Infrastructure
- All accessible State-owned bridges have been inspected across Florida. FDOT continues to assist with inspections on locally-owned bridges.
- 97% of cut and toss operations are complete statewide
- 100% of cut and toss operations are complete in Lee County.
- 100% of cut and toss operations are complete in Charlotte County.
- Access restored to Pine Island Bridge in just over 50 hours/ under 3 days.
- Construction has begun on the Sanibel Causeway.
- Initial debris pick-up:
- 3,309 miles of state roads have been completed statewide.
- Statewide 33,876 cubic yards of vegetation debris have been picked up.
Bridges Closed as of 11 a.m. on 10/11/22
- Sanibel Causeway (Lee County)
Roads Closed as of 11 a.m. on 10/11/22
- Brevard County
- SR-46 Westbound at Hatbill Road – Lane closed
- Charlotte County
- Bridge closed on Rotonda Boulevard both directions at Rotonda Boulevard South
- DeSoto County
- NW 2nd Bunker Avenue at Arrowhead Pond Road – Lane closed, both directions
- R-72 Westbound beyond SR-70 – All lanes closed
- SR-72 from NW Pearce Street to SR-70 – Lane closed
- Hardee County
- N Hollandtown Road at Thoroughbred Road – Lane closed, both directions
- SR-64 from Brantwood Drive to Wilbur C King Boulevard – Lane closed, both directions
- Highlands County
- Golfview Road at Lake Drive Boulevard – Lane closed, both directions
- Marble Avenue from W Martin Road to S Lake Boulevard – Lane closed, both directions
- Lee County
- Sanibel Causeway
- Bonita Beach Road at Simmons Lane – All lanes closed
- Captiva Drive from Palmflower Lane to Sanibel Captiva Road – Lane closed, both directions
- CR-865 at Broadway Channel – Lane closed, both directions
- CR-865 from Estrellita Drive to Cape Hickory Court – Lane closed, both directions
- CR-867 Southbound from Port Comfort Road to Punta Rassa Road – All lanes closed
- Estero Boulevard at Broadway Channel – Lane closed, both directions
- Manatee County
- SR-37 at Manatee/Polk County Line – Lane closed, both directions
- Polk County
- E Grove Avenue at S Scenic Highway – Lane closed, both directions
- SR-37 Northbound before SR-674 – All lanes closed
- US 98 from Avon Park Cutoff Road to Highway 27 – Lane closed, both directions
- Seminole County
- SR-46 Eastbound at N Jungle Road – Lane closed
- All Deepwater ports are now open.
- Fuel Terminals: All port fuel terminals have resumed normal operations.
- All Commercial Service airports are now open
- Operations normal except for:
- LeeTran (modified service)
- Sarasota County Area Transit (modified service)
- Flagler
PASSENGER RAIL
- Amtrak: operations have returned to normal service apart from Silver Star trains #91/92, which suspended rail service beyond Jacksonville. A bus bridge will be provided to Orlando, Tampa, and Miami, Florida
- SunRail: Rail corridor experienced some damage. Repairs are anticipated to be complete over the next few weeks. Currently, service is running on a modified schedule. Please www.SunRail.com for service details.
- Seminole Gulf Railway sustained significant damage. Damage assessments continue and repair plans are underway. Operations reopened in Ft. Myers only.
Mass Care
- DBPR investigators and other staffers from across the state are at all the Disaster Recovery Centers in Charlotte, Collier, Lee and Sarasota Counties, helping with any licensing needs and educating the public about the importance of hiring a licensed contractor.
- Today, 10 Department of Elder Affairs CARES assessors are deployed to Lee, Sarasota, and Orange counties to provide hands-on assistance in special needs shelters. They are determining the level-of-care needs for older Floridians housed in shelters and are discharging them to the appropriate place.
- For the week of October 10-16, 13,361 home delivered meals, 579 shelf stable meals, and 2,839 congregate meals have been served to seniors in Central and Southwest Florida.
- For the week of October 10-16, providers in Central and Southwest Florida have made 1,092 telephone reassurance calls to senior clients to check in on their needs.
- For the week of October 10-16, 110 clients have received weather-related Emergency Home Assistance for the Elder Program funds to assist with individuals experiencing a home energy emergency in the affected areas.
- The Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas County has worked with Amazon to get $13,000 in donated gift cards for seniors in affected areas.
- Ageless Innovation has donated 96 robotic cats and 72 robotic dogs from the Joy For All Companion Pets line to be distributed to long term care facilities housing older Floridians who have been affected by Hurricane Ian. The robotic pets alleviate social isolation, loneliness, and cognitive decline by delivering joy, fun, and happiness to improve quality of life.
- Florida’s application for Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) has been approved. More information about D-SNAP can be found online at MyFLFamilies.com/DSNAP.
- FRLA continues to work on lodging and feeding missions across impacted areas.
- DCF has opened four Family Resource Support Centers with staff on site, including Hope Navigators, behavioral health partners who specialize in disaster recovery response, and public benefit eligibility specialists to help individuals and families. More information can be found here: www.myflfamilies.com/frsc
- Locations include: Cape Coral, Ft. Myers, Sarasota and Arcadia.
- DCF released $235,351,849 in early SNAP benefits to a household population of approximately 773,579 people at risk of impact for Hurricane Ian. More information can be found here: ACCESS Florida – Florida Department of Children and Families (myflfamilies.com)
- Florida Housing Finance Corporation has updated its Disaster Relief webpage to provide families with information on housing resources and assistance. This webpage will continue to be updated as more information becomes available. Disaster Relief Resources and Information (floridahousing.org).
- Florida Housing has ensured that all current listings are up to date in the event that families need to quickly relocate at www.FloridaHousingSearch.org.
- Each SHIP office has an adopted disaster strategy that allows for assistance in the immediate aftermath of a declared disaster. Strategies may include temporary relocation and rental assistance, debris removal and short-term repairs to prevent further damage to the structure or to allow for occupancy until further repairs are made. Please contact your local office directly for more information: Local Government Information (floridahousing.org).
Alerts Sign-up