Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell announced plans to visit Florida, likely the Tallahassee area, on Friday to assess the damage caused by Hurricane Helene.
Speaking during a White House briefing on Thursday, Criswell highlighted that FEMA has over 11,000 personnel, along with support from the U.S. Coast Guard and the military, ready to assist in recovery efforts. Hurricane Helene is expected to move into Georgia and other states after making landfall in Florida.
Criswell noted that approximately 700 personnel already deployed in various states for other emergencies can be redirected if necessary. “We have food, water, generators, and tarps pre-positioned at staging locations across the region, making them easily accessible and movable after the storm,” Criswell said.
Read: Hurricane Helene Update: A Major Category 4 Threat To Florida’s Big Bend
She also mentioned that the Red Cross is setting up shelters in areas likely to be affected by the hurricane.
Criswell praised Florida’s preparedness, emphasizing the state’s strong power restoration plans. She said Florida has “aggressive targets” to restore 85 to 90 percent of power within 48 hours. However, she warned of widespread outages, particularly in areas like Tallahassee, which has a dense tree canopy. “Those trees will come down and affect power lines, and the process of removing debris from power lines could extend recovery time,” Criswell explained.
Read: Largo Residents Urged To Stay Sheltered During Hurricane Helene
Earlier this week, President Joe Biden approved a federal emergency declaration for Florida following Governor Ron DeSantis’s state of emergency declaration for 41 counties, which was later expanded to include 61 counties.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Android Users: Download our free app to stay up-to-date on the latest news.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.