Hurricane Helene has left a devastating impact on Florida’s Big Bend region, with over 86,000 people still without power and countless homes reduced to rubble. Gov. Ron DeSantis acknowledged the scale of the destruction, noting the historic storm surges and severe winds that ravaged the area. Despite the challenges, there has been significant progress, with over 2.3 million power accounts restored, and the Florida National Guard rescuing 155 people. As communities begin to pick up the pieces, the state is providing temporary housing and launching Operation Blue Ridge to extend recovery efforts into neighboring states.
Amid the heartache and loss, road infrastructure is a lifeline for these communities. Damaged and flooded roads hindered recovery, making it harder for crews to restore power and bring relief to those still in need. The work of agencies like the Florida Department of Transportation is critical in clearing these paths, allowing emergency services to reach isolated areas and bring hope to residents. These communities, facing unimaginable loss, are relying on the support and compassion of others as they begin rebuilding and repairing damages.
https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2024/09/30/gov-desantis-holds-news-conference-in-steinhatchee-as-community-recovers-from-helene/