We focus our prayers & help on the state of Florida.
FloridaDisaterfund.org/   – to give.
Prayers for the people, the helpers, the land the flora & fauna, the animals. Rescues are underway. 
The hurricane continues north to the SE of the United States.
Catastrophic storm surge – barrier islands, Ft. Myers, Charlotte county, Naples, etc.
Mass devastation on the coasts & central Florida.
Especially in the Fort Myers area, near Naples.
My nephew works as a chef in Naples.
Cat 4 hurricane, a deadly storm. Rescue efforts everywhere.
Many many states sent their rescue teams to Florida
to help First Responders.
We hope people did not remain in Sanibel Island.
Local, state & federal will work together to protect life.
National Guard helping to get resources needed.
Many calling for help.
FEMA personnel, National Guard on the ground, high water vehicles sent to Florida. Assessing roads, lines down, how much water impacted has the utilities.
Prez in contact with Gov. Desantis.
Fear, due to those who stayed behind.
Storm now in NE Florida, moving forward, if re enters the ocean
the hurricane can strengthen. Storm is moving north into the Carolinas and Georgia. There is also a tornado warning. Extreme power outage. Forecasters urged people to evacuate days ahead.

The navy in Jacksonville removed their ships & planes on Tuesday. Now they can focus on helping the people. Gov. Desantis – Coast Guard on the barrier islands rescuing the people even as the winds continued. Looking at places of most inland flooding. Helicopters performing active rescue mission. Hospitals on generators, some being evacuated. At 6am 2 million + power outages on west coast. 1.5 million outages in 7 counties. Sarasota 1/2 million no power. Infrastructure will need to be rebuild completely in some areas – structural rebuild.

Resources are en route. Interruptions in communications, cell towers affected. I 75 South is open. Some roads unpassable – Cape Coral, Ft. Myers. But most open so supplies can move. 100 engineers inspecting bridges, working in teams of 2. Bridge to Sanibel Island is damaged. Pine Island bridge not passable & will require strucural rebuild. Central Florida flooded into NE Florida/Jacksonville, water continues to rise. It’s a 500 year flood event. Seminole county opened emergency areas. Flooding for hundreds of miles will set records.

There is food & water, truckloads of food/water sent out to the people. Damage so extensive. Major disaster for many counties. Inland damage. Some people displaced.

Federal Assistance offered for next 30 days for response/recovery. Individual assistance for those who qualify from FEMA. Area hard hit are hazardous areas, power lines, trees down, flooding near rivers, inlets – standing water is a hazard. 26 states offered support all will be put to use. An effort mobilized to help Florida. Those needing life support – help is on the way. Rescue Teams, National Guard, etc. helping the people.

What can we do to help?…donate to Florida Rescue Fund – money is the best way to hep. FloridaDisasterFund.org. Impact of storm is historic. We’ve never seen a storm surge of this magnitude on the low lying areas, homes damages. Today, identify people needing help & in harms way. Assets ready to go & will be used until all tasks are completed. Water in some places was 6 ft, covering homes.

Damaging winds & flooding are expected & storm poses major threat to central & NE Florida – rising water occurring this morning. 1500 resource requests, fulfilling 1300. 15K sheltered in place. Report if you know of anyone in need. Floridadisaster.org/report. If emergency call 911. Medical supplies, tarps, resources available for those in need. Many people in the Barrier Islands were helicoptered to safety.

Now – Beginning a 72 hour clock – search, secure, stabilize. All assets assessed where the storm created massive disaster. The storm has changed the character of Florida – requiring emergency response now & years of effort to rebuild SW Florida. A long process ahead.

This is great leadership across the state by the governor.
The governor thanks the states who have responded & those offering their skills & resources.
Praying for Florida & it people & land & government.

FloridaDisasterFund.org