Florida Governor DeSantis provided detailed updates on the ongoing response and recovery efforts Friday following Hurricane Debby. The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) continues to collaborate with volunteer organizations to ensure residents in impacted areas receive hot meals.
Partners like the American Red Cross, Mercy Chefs, and Operation BBQ Relief have provided nearly 9,400 lunches and dinners in the Big Bend, Sarasota, and Manatee counties.
Read: WATCH: Deputy In Florida Jumps Into Pond, Rescues Missing 5-Year-Old Boy With Autism
Additionally, the “Activate Hope” initiative is now live, offering Floridians resources for food, household goods, home repairs, and more. This initiative, part of the Hope Florida program, coordinates efforts between the private sector, nonprofits, and government to aid Floridians in recovering from the natural disaster.
State Response Efforts
- Flood Management: FDEM has pumped over 589 million gallons of floodwaters from affected communities across the state.
- Points of Distribution (PODs): FDEM is operating PODs in several counties, distributing over 140,600 shelf-stable meals, 172,000 bottles of water, 4,500 bags of ice, and 12,700 tarps.
- Infrastructure Protection: Over 9,400 feet of flood protection devices have been deployed to protect critical infrastructure, including schools, healthcare facilities, and roads.
- Power Restoration: Approximately 19,000 linemen are actively working on power restoration, with over 680,000 accounts already restored.
- Florida National Guard: Over 2,300 guardsmen are mobilized, assisting with logistics, debris removal, and search and rescue operations, which have saved 154 citizens.
- Florida State Guard and FWC: Providing extensive support in rescue operations, damage assessments, and flood response efforts across impacted areas.
Read: Video: 2 Heroic St. Petersburg Police Officers Rescue Man From Burning House
Volunteer and Health Services
- Multiple organizations, including the United Methodist Church and Crisis Clean Up, are offering assistance with debris removal, tarping, and other recovery efforts.
- The Florida Department of Health (DOH) continues to address public health needs, including managing boil water notices and supporting special needs shelters.
- The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) is ensuring critical Medicaid services continue uninterrupted.
Infrastructure and Road Management
- FDOT teams have completed damage assessments and debris removal on over 6,500 miles of roadway and 2,000 bridges.
- FDOT is also providing resources to assist local governments with flood management, debris removal, and road clearance.
Read: Florida Task Force 3 Successfully Completes Hurricane Debby Recovery Mission
Support for Businesses and Consumers
- The Florida Attorney General’s Office has activated a price gouging hotline to report extreme price increases on essential goods.
- FloridaCommerce and DBPR are offering in-person assistance at the One-Stop Business Resource Center in Suwannee County, providing support and resources to businesses affected by the storm.
Governor DeSantis emphasized the state’s ongoing commitment to restoring normalcy in impacted communities and ensuring that all necessary resources are made available to those in need.
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.