FL Gov. DeSantis issues update on Hurricane Ian recovery
Tallahassee, Florida - Today, Governor Ron DeSantis visited Sanibel Island to hand deliver $1,000 recognition payments to first responders in areas impacted by Hurricane Ian. These recognition payment checks were mailed prior to Hurricane Ian making landfall but were unable to be delivered to impacted areas following the storm. The Governor delivered checks to first responders employed by the Sanibel Fire & Rescue District, the Captiva Island Fire Control District, and the Upper Captiva Fire Protection & Rescue Service District.
Today, First Lady Casey DeSantis announced new mental health resiliency tools in response to Hurricane Ian. The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) launched the Family Support Line, which connects individuals and families who were impacted by Hurricane Ian with peers who were impacted and have recovered from Hurricane Michael. Volunteers from the Panhandle will use their personal experiences to provide support, advice and a helping hand to victims of Hurricane Ian. Individuals who would like to talk with a Family Support Peer can call 888-850-SWFL.
The Florida Department of Health (DOH) and Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) have partnered with BetterHelp to offer mental health services through three months of free online therapy to those impacted by Hurricane Ian. To access these free services, Floridians can visit betterhelp.com/voucher and use code: HurricaneIan. BetterHelp will then prompt impacted Floridians with a questionnaire to best match them with a licensed mental health professional.
Additionally, the First Lady has worked with the State Disaster Recovery Mental Health Coordinator, Sara Newhouse, to compile a webpage of resources to help first responders navigate resources for mental health needs post hurricane. Visit the site here: www.floridadisaster.org/dem/recovery/disaster-mental-health-resources/. Mental health resources for individuals and communities are available at MyFLFamilies.com/HurricaneIan. The health and well-being of Floridians is a top priority, and the Department of Children and Families is reminding individuals that they are not alone. All Floridians impacted by Hurricane Ian can find someone to talk to through the Disaster Distress Helpline by calling 800-985-5990.
First Lady Casey DeSantis has continued to highlight the Florida Disaster Fund and the support it has received from private entities across the nation. The Florida Disaster Fund has raised over $45 million since activation. To contribute, please visit www.FloridaDisasterFund.org or text DISASTER to 20222. First Lady Casey DeSantis, Volunteer Florida and Tervis have created a design with Florida imagery for a new tumbler product. With every sale of this tumbler, all proceeds will go to the Florida Disaster Fund. Products are available for purchase on the Tervis website at www.tervis.com/?utm_content and will soon be available in stores for purchase.
To guide Floridians looking for their next-steps as they rebuild, FloridaStormRelief.com has launched to serve as a one-stop-shop to navigate assistance that is available. This webpage highlights the resources available through the state’s public and private partners, and faith-based organizations and also provides a step-by-step check list for Floridians recovering following Hurricane Ian in addition to other resources available for impacted Floridians.
Additional programs that have been put into place to aid communities include the activation of the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program, the initiation of the Army Corps of Engineers’ Operation Blue Roof, and FDOT’s diligent work to construct temporary bridges into areas that are cut off from motorists.
If you are a Xfinity customer experiencing internet connectivity issues and you live in a predominately restored location and find that after restarting your modem your services are still not working, the lines delivering service to your home may be damaged. Please go to the Status Center to troubleshoot or use your Xfinity App to chat with a representative or call 1-800-XFINITY (1-800-934-6489) to report your service interruption.
Details of state response efforts can be found here: https://www.flgov.com/2022/10/18/governor-ron-desantis-issues-updates-on-hurricane-ian-recovery-14/.