Florida Governor Ron DeSantis visited with survivors and first responders on Saturday in Big Bend counties impacted by Hurricane Idalia.
DeSantis was joined by Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie and Secretary of Commerce Alex Kelly to tour Keaton Beach, meet with first responders and visited the business resource site, established by FloridaCommerce in conjunction with the Department of Business and Professional Regulation and the Small Business Development Center.
At the site, residents were also able to meet with representatives from Citizens Property Insurance and receive food from Chick-fil-a and Publix.
In the news: FEMA Workers Going Door-To-Door In Pasco County
The U.S. Small Business Administration has made available Disaster Loans for Hurricane Idalia affected businesses. Applications for Business Physical Disaster Loans, Economic Injury Disaster Loans, and Home Disaster Loans are available here.
Today, six additional counties were approved under the Major Disaster Declaration for individual assistance. Residents in Citrus, Colombia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Jefferson, Lafayette, Levy, Madison Pasco, Suwannee, and Taylor counties can apply for post disaster Individual Assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov.
FWC officers who were providing assistance during Hurricane Idalia response and recovery efforts detained two individuals who were stealing a range of valuables, such as precious metals, vehicle batteries, a kayak, a trailer and other personal possessions on private property, from a home on Horseshoe Beach.
The subjects were arrested by Dixie County Sheriff Deputies and taken to Dixie County Jail.
The Florida Disaster Fund, announced by Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis, has raised nearly $3 million since activation and is currently accepting donations to support communities impacted by Hurricane Idalia. To donate, click here.
On Friday, Governor DeSantis traveled to Madison County and Suwannee County to distribute food and meet with first responders and linemen who are part of the Hurricane Idalia response.
In the news: Florida AG Ashley Moody Puts Looters On Notice
The Governor visited a Point of Distribution Site that is being operated by the Florida State Guard.
DeSantis also visited the Busy Bee Travel Center in Live Oak, Florida, to meet with local residents who were impacted by the storm and he was able to personally promote National Guard Staff Sergeant DeAsia Frazier.
Android Users, Click To Download The Free Press App And Never Miss A Story. Follow Us On Facebook and Twitter. Signup for our free newsletter.
We can’t do this without your help; visit our GiveSendGo page and donate any dollar amount; every penny helps