Joe Biden Visits Florida To See Hurricane Milton Impact, Announce More Aid in Return Trip of Florida
MIAMI — President Joe Biden is heading to Florida this week to tour damage caused by Hurricane Milton and announce more federal help — while former president Donald Trump plans his own visit just miles away. The state, already dealing with the fallout of two back-to-back hurricanes this year, is slowly beginning to recover from a second storm as residents come face to face with damage caused by Zeta.
Biden to Visit Louisiana & Survey Hurricane Milton Damage
It has been just over a year since, northern Pasco County met the big cat or wildcat and now it is walking through their area again. The deadly storm then came ashore on Siesta Key as a Category 3 hurricane, its intense winds inflicting widespread carnage across an already-vulnerable Tampa Bay and beyond. Biden is expected to land at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, meet with state and local officials, then head over damaged areas in St. Pete Beach.
Extensive Damage Along Gulf Coast of Florida
The hurricanes have pounded a large swath of Florida’s West Coast, where damage reaches from Steinhatchee and Cedar Key all the way south to heavily populated Tampa Bay area in Sarasota. Central and East Florida communities were also hit, suffering power outages alongside flooding and wind damage. The death toll in the wake of Hurricane Irma stood at 26 and roughly one million people were still without power on Saturday while other places was lacking running water, fuel shortages had not been resolved.
Damage from a Storm Surge and Tornadoes
Hurricane Milton caused dangerous storm surge flooding and battered coastal towns while also producing high winds that led to severe wind damage. The storm also produced several tornadoes, which would contribute to the damage. Devastation was so widespread in communities near the coast that dense neighbor-hoods were called “the war zones” and many homes in them appeared to have been swallowed.
Storm Sparks Political Tensions
And the hurricanes have spawned political fights, with Republicans — including former President Donald Trump – slamming how federal officials handled all of them. President Biden has defended his administration against accusations of insufficient federal action, noting the extensive resources dedicated to assist hard-hit areas. Less than two weeks before Election Day, the storm response has emerged as a top political concern.
Biden Administration Announces $614 Million in Federal Grants
Biden stopped in Georgia on Monday, where he announced another $614 million in federal grants to improve hurricane-disrupted electric grids nationwide — including a total of some $94 million for Florida. Federal assistance would be used to expedite recovery and prevent future power failures.
Restoring Hope Among Residents
St. Petersburg Beach part-timer Paul Giardina said his only hope is that the presidential visit will somehow speed up everyone’s recovery process from a difficult encounter with their harsh weather-god. The Delta breezed through the broad river side community and hit Giardina, who splits his time between Florida and Massachusetts, for only minor damage. ‘You know, we were the fortunate ones in more ways than one,’ he said, as other nearby homes sustained far greater damage.
St. Pete Beach Still Underwater
St. Pete Beach, meanwhile, is another story as there are still debris strewn all over and many business have not re-opened while some areas remain without power. And while the community is weary and frustrated, emergency management director Cathi Perkins said there is a bit of relief that more support will be coming. Both she and Bouanton are glad that state and federal governments have come forward to offer resources.
To stay updated with the state of Florida post Hurricane Milton and ongoing recovery efforts there, visitshaktiexpress. com.