DeSantis promises temporary trailers to Hurricane Ian victims who lost their homes
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Friday that the state will begin issuing trailers to those whose homes are being rebuilt due to damage cause by Hurricane Ian.
Appearing at the Yucatan Beach Stand on Fort Myers Beach, DeSantis said he has instructed the Florida Division of a Emergency Management “not to wait on FEMA and to get trailers to those properties immediately.”
Both the Federal Emergency Manage-ment Agency and Florida Division of Emergency Management have trailer programs for those whose homes are being rebuilt due to damage from Hurricane Ian. Because most homes on Fort Myers Beach are in a flood plain and high hazard area, state and federal regulations currently don’t allow trailers in those locations.
At an informational meeting last week, State Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie said the state had to follow the same regulations as FEMA in the placement of trailers.
Guthrie said Friday that he told DeSantis the state could issue trailers but might not be reimbursed for them if it didn’t wait for FEMA approval, but said DeSantis wanted the trailers issued.
“Plain and simple, we are just going to get it done,” Guthrie said.
Those in need of one of the six-month trailers should sign up at ianrecovery.fl.gov/unite.
At Friday’s press conference, DeSantis also heralded three bills passed this week by the state legislature which will provide property tax relief to communities impacted by Hurricane Ian; provide for toll discounts for heavy commuters; and a rein in “frivolous” lawsuits and high attorney fees so as to attract — and keep — property tax insurers to Florida.
To reach NATHAN MAYBERG, please email nmayberg@breezenewspapers