President Biden surveyed the devastation of hurricane-ravaged Florida on Wednesday alongside Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, a possible 2024 foe.
Biden praised DeSantis’ dealing with of the storm restoration as each males — who’ve battled over pandemic protocols and migration because the governor mulls a presidential bid — put apart politics for a number of days.
The state is struggling to recuperate from the wreckage of Hurricane Ian, which tore by way of southwestern Florida final week and left dozens lifeless.
“Today we have one job and only one job, and that’s to make sure the people in Florida get everything they need to fully, thoroughly recover,” Biden mentioned in Fort Myers, which bore the brunt of Ian’s assault. He warned that the rebuilding effort will take months or years.
“It’s going to take a hell of a long time, hopefully without any snags in the way,” he mentioned as DeSantis stood behind him, fingers folded as he squinted into the evident daylight. “Later, after the television cameras have moved on, we’re still going to be here with you.”
The days after Ian’s landfall in Florida have prompted a short lived detente between Biden and DeSantis, who’ve spoken on the cellphone not less than thrice to coordinate restoration efforts. They spent a part of Wednesday assembly with space residents and, for Biden, absorbing the complete scope of Ian’s devastation.
After Biden and first woman Jill Biden arrived earlier at Fisherman’s Wharf — the place houses and companies lay in ruins amid particles and muck — DeSantis provided his hand to the president for a shake. Next to them as they spoke was a ship that the storm had lifted into a restaurant
The solidarity, nonetheless fleeting, continued Wednesday afternoon when DeSantis formally welcomed Biden to his state and praised the collaboration with officers on the bottom and the federal authorities in Washington.
“We are cutting through the red tape and that’s from local government, state government, all the way up to the president. We appreciate the team effort,” DeSantis mentioned.
Biden mentioned DeSantis had carried out a “good job” when requested by reporters to evaluate the governor’s dealing with of the restoration efforts.
“We have very different political philosophies … but we worked hand in glove,” Biden mentioned. “On things related to dealing with this crisis, we’ve been completely lockstep. There’s been no difference.”
The breadth of the devastation that Biden witnessed was immense. The presidential motorcade drove by wind-shorn timber, some uprooted, others with branches pulled backwards by the storm. Fields off the freeway have been nonetheless flooded, forming stagnant lagoons.
Signs for shops and eating places have been blown out; ruined mattresses have been piled in neighborhood streets, a constructing was tipped to the facet like a chess piece. An armada of staff and restore vans struggled with restoration.
Hurricane Ian has resulted in not less than 84 individuals confirmed lifeless, together with 75 in Florida, and many individuals nonetheless anticipate energy to be restored. Ian’s 150 mph winds and punishing storm surge final week took out energy for two.6 million in Florida. Many individuals nonetheless are unable to get meals and water, though DeSantis mentioned energy has been restored to greater than 97% of the state.
With the midterm elections only a month away, the disaster was bringing collectively political rivals in widespread trigger not less than for a time.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”