2 years ago
President Joe Biden toured storm damage on Wednesday in hurricane-ravaged Fort Myers, Fla., ahead of a highly-anticipated meeting with Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Florida is reeling from the impacts of Hurricane Ian, which made landfall as a Category 4 storm along the state's gulf coast last week and has caused mass devastation and flooding across the state. It has killed at least 72 people — with the death count still expected to rise as search and rescue efforts continue — and left some beachside communities leveled and buildings reduced to rubble.
The president, along with first lady Jill Biden, will survey the damage on Florida’s west coast via helicopter before touching down in Fisherman’s Wharf in Fort Myers. DeSantis, along with federal and local officials, will then brief Biden on disaster recovery efforts.
The president’s meeting with DeSantis will bring the two political rivals face to face just weeks ahead of November's midterm elections. Biden and DeSantis have sparred on issues including Covid mandates, support for the LGBTQ community and, most recently, the governor's move to fly migrants in the U.S. illegally from Texas to Martha's Vineyard, Mass., a step the president called "reckless." But they’ve seemingly put their differences aside this week as they focus on Florida’s recovery from the hurricane and have spoken over the phone several times.
While in Fort Myers, Biden and the first lady will also meet with small business owners and local residents impacted by Hurricane Ian before the president delivers remarks, addressing Florida’s recovery from the storm.
The White House earlier Wednesday authorized additional disaster assistance funding for debris removal and emergency protective measures and extended the time period the funding will be available.
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