ICYMI: Governor Ron DeSantis Issues Updates on Hurricane Idalia

This morning, Governor DeSantis provided updates on Hurricane Idalia at the State Emergency Operations Center as the storm made landfall as a Category 3 strom. He was joined by the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) Executive Director Kevin Guthrie, Major General John D. Hass, U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral Doug Schofield and Leon County Commissioner Christian Caban. Full remarks can be found here. Governor DeSantis’ Emergency Order can be found here.

At the direction of Governor DeSantis, the State Emergency Response Team is beginning to deploy assets, search and rescue and power crews to all impacted areas as soon as weather conditions permit.

Yesterday, Governor DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis announced the activation of the Florida Disaster Fund to support communities impacted by Hurricane Idalia. The fund is a component of the Volunteer Florida Foundation, Florida’s official 501(c)(3) charitable organization that supports volunteerism, community service, and disaster recovery. To donate, click here.

State Preparedness and Response Efforts

• FDEM is leading the State Emergency Response Team (SERT) for the Hurricane Idalia response.
• FDEM has mobilized requested resources to support residents and first responders in the path of the storm for rapid deployment when weather conditions allow, including more than 100 pallets of Meals Ready to Eat (MREs), nearly 500 pallets of bottled water, and more than 20 pallets of tarps.
• The Florida National Guard (FLNG) has been fully activated, with a mobilization of 5,300 guardsmen in position across the state for response efforts. Mobilized units are postured to support humanitarian assistance, route clearance, traffic control, aviation, and security missions throughout impacted areas.
• The FLNG 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team has deployed forward into western and northwestern Florida.
• The Florida National Guard currently has:
  • 2400 vehicles to include high mobility and high-water vehicles,
  • 14 FLARNG helicopters strategically placed around the state and that number could double with assistance from neighboring states,
  • 23 small watercrafts ready to support search and rescue, and reconnaissance missions.
• Two National Guard Truck Companies from neighboring states are enroute to Florida to provide our Guardsmen with additional mobility capabilities.
• The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) has activated the State Emergency Operations Center Team to support ongoing operations. FDLE has prepared:
  • One mobile command vehicle;
  • One operations command center;
  • Six mobile staging units;
  • 80 agents and analysts ready to deploy;
  • Three large trailers;
  • Four box trailers;
  • Two cargo trucks;
  • One forklift;
  • 24 generators and,
  • 30 Chainsaws.

• Regional law enforcement coordination teams (RLECTs) are activated in impacted regions to assist local law enforcement agencies ahead of the storm.
• FDLE’s Criminal Justice Information Services received permission from the FBI to allow law enforcement agencies to perform criminal history queries on behalf of emergency shelters to determine suitability of shelter staff who may care for vulnerable populations (children, the elderly, the disabled).
• The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has readied all storm response resources statewide so they may be rapidly deployed to assist Floridians in need in the event of wind damage or flooding due to Hurricane Idalia. The FWC is closely monitoring the track of the storm and will be deploying resources to impacted areas as soon as it is safe to do so.

• Two rapid response teams consisting of officers, support staff and equipment have staged in locations just outside the projected path for immediate deployment following Hurricane Idalia’s exit from the impact zone. These teams consist of assets outside the immediate impact area. The teams have of a total of 47 officers and support personnel and the following equipment :
  • 47 four-wheel drive vehicles
  • 15 vessels including airboats and shallow draft vessels
  • 9 UTV/ATVs
  • 1 UAS (drone) unit
  • 4 swamp buggies
  • 2 supply trailers
  • 1 command trailer
  • 4 BERG units
  • 4 hygiene trailers
  • 1 water trailer
  • multiple generators
  • mobile communications equipment
  • fuel resupply containers

• FWC Officers will respond with a variety of specialized equipment as necessary, including:
  • Shallow draft boats;
  • Larger platform vessels;
  • ATVs;
  • Airboats; and
  • Four-wheel drive vehicles.

• These assets are in addition to local FWC officers deployed to potentially affected areas.
• A supplemental support team of 15 additional officers and equipment has been identified to provide immediate assistance to the rapid response team if necessary.
• FWC Special Operations Group (SOG) teams will serve as reconnaissance units for the State EOC and report back on damage after the storm has made landfall.
• FWC Aviation Section has been placed on standby and has readied all appropriate aircraft for potential deployment for EOC aerial assistance, reconnaissance, and post-storm damage assessments when needed.
• The FWC has set up a hotline (888-404-3922) to report vessels lost, displaced or rendered derelict as a result of the storm.
• A team of six FWC captive wildlife investigators has staged just outside the storm’s path to conduct assessments of Class I captive wildlife facilities following the storm.
• The Florida Highway Patrol has 300 troopers ready to deploy and implemented 12-hour Alpha, Bravo shifts in troops B, C, D, G, H, I, J and K in preparation for Hurricane Idalia in order to provide resources to impacted areas. This activation has resulted in regular days off being cancelled and 24-Hour enhanced coverage.
• The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has Hazardous Area Response Teams (HARTs) preparing for potential assessment and deployment to impacted areas as needed.
• DEP’s request for a fuel waiver was granted by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to temporarily adjust certain regulatory requirements statewide so the state can ensure a sustained, useable fuel supply.
• DEP is coordinating with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Hazard Assessment Teams to assess oil and hazardous material releases, orphaned containers and/or fixed facilities post-landfall.

• All Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) Correctional Institutions have back-up power generators in the event commercial power is lost.
• FDC Routine inmate transfers have been suspended.
• All FDC correctional officers and institutional staff are considered essential staff and work throughout the duration of the storm.
• FDC offenders on community supervision have been given specific instructions from their probation officers regarding office closures.

Health and Human Services

• The Florida Department of Children and Families’ (DCF)  has released more than $104 million in SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits early in preparation/response to Hurricane Idalia for over 327,000 households that would normally receive their September SNAP benefit between the 1st – 14th of the month. This applies to SNAP households located in one of the 49 designated counties in Governor DeSantis’ Executive Order. Eligible recipients will have the benefits automatically added to their EBT card. There is no need for recipients to apply.

• DCF is assessing the need for utilization of the crisis counseling program and deployment of crisis counseling teams to support area resiliency.

• The Florida Department of Health (DOH) is supporting 45 special needs shelters in the following counties: Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Charlotte, Clay, Columbia, Citrus, DeSoto, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Glades/Henry, Hardee, Hamilton, Hernando, Hillsborough, Lake, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Nassau, Orange, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, St. John’s, Sumter, Suwannee, Union, and Volusia.
• Over 400 ambulances and paratransit buses are deployed or staged to support emergency medical services and patient transport.
• DOH Children’s Medical Services Managed Care Plan (CMS) conducted outreach to providers and high-risk clients within 46 counties. CMS has ensured clients have access to early prescription refills.
• DOH has staged 33 strike teams, totaling nearly 200 ambulances, for any facility evacuations or patient transport needs. Staging is currently in Marianna and Lakeland. An additional 200 ambulances have been requested.
• DOH has provided additional supplies of special infant formula to Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) clients in need. WIC clients have been contacted regarding clinic closures.
• The DOH and Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) sent information regarding early prescription refills permitted under Executive Order 23-171. This information was sent to the public, health insurers, managed care organizations, pharmacy benefit managers, pharmacy chains, and health care providers.

• The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) is pulling reports utilizing newly developed GIS software that includes information from residential providers and hospitals in the storm’s path, in coastal areas, and in counties under the State of Emergency.
• AHCA sent a Medicaid Provider Alert outlining Key Medicaid Information for Fee-For-Service and Managed Care Providers during Hurricane Idalia, this can be found here.
• The Agency waived all prior authorization requirements for providers to perform critical services beyond policy limits until further notice.
• AHCA has activated the Emergency Patient Look-Up System (E-PLUS). Special needs shelters are able to utilize the system to retrieve patient medical records. E-PLUS is also available to assist medical providers and emergency response personnel with locating missing or displaced persons after the storm.
• The Department of Health began sharing Special Needs Shelter registrations and discharges on August 29, updated data will be sent by DOH at 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. daily.
  • Digital Services has been credentialed access to the E-PLUS Missing Persons tool to assist them in getting information about individual locations at healthcare facilities.
  • Publix pharmacies have agreed to share data with the E-PLUS and are also being credentialed to use the system to assist with prescribing needs.
• AHCA partnered with Florida Health Care Association and Florida Hospital Association to initiate statewide calls with long-term care facilities and hospitals.
• 100% of operating long-term care facilities have a generator on-site. The Generator Status Map for long-term care facilities is available here.
• AHCA opened an event in the Health Facility Reporting System. All Residential/Inpatient Health Care Providers must submit updates on census, bed availability, evacuation and receiving status, power outages and generator status by 10AM daily and when a situation changes. This has been put in place for all 67 counties.
• AHCA has contacted the Medicaid Managed Care Plans to ensure they are allowing early prescription refills. Fee-for-service recipients are also eligible for early refills.
• AHCA Secretary Jason Weida has spoken with the CEOs of all hospitals that are evacuating, the CEOs of all Associations for Residential and Inpatient Health Care facilities, and the CEOs of all managed care plans to ensure lines of communication are open and we are working together.
• AHCA staff has made over 1,111 calls on Tuesday and counting, in a coordinated outreach effort to all residential health care providers in the cone of the hurricane, along the coastlines, in mandatory evacuation zones, and those who have not updated HFRS.
• The Dialysis Patient Assistance Hotline is active for patients who are unable to reach their facility or nursing homes needing assistance getting patients to centers post storm 800-826-3773.
• Teledoc is providing free virtual health care services, including general medical telehealth visits, non-emergency services, and prescription refills, to Florida residents, first responders and others directly impacted by Hurricane Idalia. Call Teladoc directly at 855-225-5032.
• The Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD), based on the Governor’s Executive Order, has mapped out the locations and current census of APD clients and residents located in affected areas.
• APD and its partners have contacted APD clients, families, providers and critical stakeholders to ensure readiness and track any evacuations plans for post storm activities.
• WaterTracker is active, DEP’s online portal for drinking and wastewater facilities to report their operational status.
• Walgreens has four mobile pharmacies positioned ready to deploy along with additional generators and are prepared to provide mobile pharmacy services for shelters.
• The Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA) is receiving daily updates from all 11 Area Agencies on Aging throughout Florida.
• ElderSource (PSA 4, Jacksonville) has provided the following updates:
  • St. Johns Council on Aging will close on Wednesday and Thursday. Nutrition Services will send extra meals out tomorrow for those closures with the home-delivered meals. Their Independent Living Services and Programs departments are calling participants to check on them and to see if they need transportation to a hurricane shelter. They will be called again once the storm passes.
  • Flagler County Senior Services: Flagler has activated the EOC, Senior services staff are working 12-hour shifts at the EOC. Home delivered meals are still scheduled for today, so all home delivered meals will be going out today as scheduled. Call downs to clients were completed.  The Senior Center will be closed on Wednesday as of right now.

Infrastructure, Roads, State Closures and Outages

• The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) continues to complete assessments of the fuel supplies as locations reported by CITGO to determine the severity of contaminated fuel within on-site tanks. Updates on inspections and testing can be found here.
• The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) is maintaining high visibility on interstate systems, bridges, and rest areas. Motorists can report disabled vehicles or dangerous driving conditions to *FHP (*347).
• FHP is assisting with evacuations in Dixie, Levy and Taylor counties in preparation for Hurricane Idalia.
• FHP is coordinating UAV flights to capture images of all the State Law Enforcement Radio System (SLERS) towers to ensure state law enforcement personnel have communications to provide Hurricane Idalia response and law enforcement resources.
• FLHSMV driver license and motor vehicle service center closures can be found here.
• Florida Licensing on Wheels (FLOW) mobile units stand ready to deploy to affected counties post storm to aid with replacement of credentials. As of Tuesday August 29, 2023, almost 30 Troopers along with Cedar Key PD made contact at 840 homes in 2 hours to provide evacuation information and advise of available resources.
• FDACS has opened up the consumer hotline to receive complaints from consumers impacted by the Port of Tampa fuel contamination. If you believe you were sold contaminated gasoline, you can file a complaint by calling 1-800-HELP-FLA or visiting fdacs.gov.
• Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) For the latest and real-time road and bridge closures, please visit Florida 511, at FL511.com or download the app. Florida’s 511 Traveler Information System is available for drivers to stay informed about roadway conditions during emergencies. This service is monitored and updated 24/7 by FDOT and includes traffic conditions, road and bridge closures, and other specialized alerts.
• Damage assessment teams have started to commence in areas where the storm has passed.
• FDOT has nearly 700 team members deployed to the impacted areas, which includes nearly 100 Bridge Inspectors and 224 Cut and Toss crew members.
• Nearly 250 pieces of major equipment, including 140 dump trucks, 59 pumps, and 207 other heavy equipment (front-end loaders, skid-steers, etc.)
• Nearly 1,100 generators are ready to deploy as needed to quickly restore traffic signals.
• All 13 traffic management centers across the state, which are open 24/7, are monitoring road conditions and traffic levels along critical corridors including I-10, I-75, and I-4 to ensure safe travel for drivers.
• 185 Road Rangers are available across the state to assist motorists in need.
• Tolls have been suspended at facilities along the West Coast of Florida until Noon on Tuesday, September 5. The facilities include the I-4 Connector, Selmon Expressway (S.R. 618), Veterans Expressway (S.R. 589), Suncoast Parkway (S.R. 589), Turnpike Mainline (I-75 to I-4), Pinellas Bayway (S.R. 679), Sunshine Skyway Bridge (U.S. 19).
• FDOT issued an Emergency Order to temporarily allow expanded weight and size requirements for vehicles transporting emergency equipment, services, supplies, and agriculture commodities and citrus.
• For rolling updates on Florida’s airport, seaport, and transit partners, please visit local listings or www.fdot.gov/idalia.
• Remember to heed the advice of local officials following a severe weather event. FDOT reminds motorists to always proceed cautiously and drive safely.
• For the most up-to-date closures, visit Florida 511, at FL511.com or on the FL511 app.

• Bridge Closures (as of 7 a.m.)
  • Charlotte County
    • US-41 at Peace River (Baron Collier) Bridge. All Lanes Closed
  • Manatee County
    • I-275 North at Skyway Bridge. All Lanes Closed
  • Pinellas County
    • I-275 South at Skyway Bridge. All Lanes Closed
    • Howard Frankland Bridge. All Northbound Lanes Closed
    • Courtney Campbell Causeway: All Eastbound Lanes Closed
    • SR-699 (Gulf Blvd): All Lanes Closed
• Road Closures (as of 7 a.m.)
  • Charlotte County
    • Tamiami Trail at Harborside Ave. All Lanes Closed
    • Tamiami Trail at Edgewater Dr. All Lanes Closed
  • Gilchrist County
    • Debris in roadway on SR-26 at US 19. All Lanes Closed.
    • Debris on roadway on US-129 at SW 10^th St. All Lanes Closed
  • Manatee County
    • Flooding on Cortez Rd Westbound at 127th St W. All Lanes Closed.
    • Flooding on Manatee Ave Westbound at 75th St W. All Lanes Closed.
  • Sarasota County
    • Flooding on US-41 North, at Main Street. All Lanes Closed
    • Flooding on N Tamiami Trail at Fruitville Rd. All Lanes Closed
• For rolling updates on Florida’s airport, seaport, and transit partners, please visit local listings or www.fdot.gov/idalia.
• The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has published a storm updates webpage to keep state park visitors updated of closures: floridastateparks.org/StormUpdates. Visitors with existing camping and cabin reservations at closed parks have been notified of their reservation status.
• DEP has pre-authorized 707 Disaster Debris Management Sites for the counties included in the Governor’s Executive Order to temporarily stage storm-generated debris that may result from the storm.
• DEP is coordinating with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to respond to potential fuel availability impacts following the Port of Tampa Bay fuel mixing issue.
• Florida’s water management districts’ webpages have been updated to include links for real-time tracking of water levels.
• The Florida Department of Education is consistently updating their website with school district closures, as well as State University System and Florida College System Closures.
  • 50 County School Districts have issued closures.
  • 20 Florida State College Systems have issued closures.
  • Nine State University Systems have issued closures.

Resources for Employees and Businesses

• In partnership with FloridaCommerce, DOH has provided resources to private sector partners selling generators to Floridians regarding generator safety and carbon monoxide poisoning prevention. Information regarding proper generator safety has also been distributed on social media platforms.
• FloridaCommerce has activated the private sector hotline at 850-815-4925 from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Inquiries may also be emailed to ESF18@em.myflorida.com.
• FloridaCommerce has alerted the statewide Community Action Agency (CAA) Network and Local Workforce Development Boards (LWDBs) to submit their anticipated cash needs or invoice packages for reimbursement, as appropriate, to ensure critical services to Floridians are not disrupted.
• FloridaCommerce is hosting daily private sector coordination calls beginning Monday, August 28, 2023. Briefings will be provided by SERT meteorology, fuels, communications, transportation, and energy, as well as private sector partners such as the Florida Retail Federation, Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, and VISIT FLORIDA.
• The following CareerSource locations will experience closures
  • CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion – from 5 p.m. on 8/28/23 through 8/30/23.
  • CareerSource Pasco Hernando – from 8/28/23 through 8/30/23.
  • CareerSource Tampa Bay – from 3 p.m. on 8/28/23 through 8/30/23.
  • CareerSource Gulf Coast Apalachicola and Port St. Joe Satellite Office- from 8/29/2023 through 8/30/2023.
  • CareerSource North Florida- from 12 p.m. 8/29/23 through 8/30/23.
  • CareerSource Florida Crown- from 8/29/2023 through 8/30/2023.
  • CareerSource North Central Florida- from 1 p.m. 8/29/2023 through 8/30/2023.
  • CareerSource Pinellas- from 8/29/2023 through 8/30/2023.
  • CareerSource Suncoast- from 8/29/2023 through 8/30/2023.
  • CareerSource Northeast Florida- from 1 p.m. 8/29/2023 through 8/31/2023.
  • CareerSource Southwest Florida- Fort Myers and Port Charlotte offices closed from 8/29/23 through 8/30/23.
  • CareerSource Capital Region- Wakulla from 12 PM 8/29/23 through 8/30/23, Leon and Gadsden through 8/30/23
  • CareerSource Flagler Volusia- through 8/30/23
  • CareerSource Central Florida- no public access from 12 PM 8/29/23 through 8/30/23, all offices providing virtual services only on 8/30/23
  • CareerSource Polk- from 8/30/23 through 9/1/23
  • CareerSource Heartland- through 8/30/23

• FloridaCommerce partner, Wells Fargo, is supporting to ensure banking services remain available to Floridians.
• FloridaCommerce partners at Publix have advised that all stores in Hillsborough County will be open today, Wednesday, August 30, at 9 a.m. Partners at Lowes stores have advised that stores in Pasco, Pinellas, Hernando, Hillsborough, Sumter, and Citrus counties will open at 9 a.m. today, with Marion County stores opening at 11 a.m. today.
• FloridaCommerce has also been in contact with Amazon who will donate gift cards and supplies to nonprofits following the storm.
• U-HAUL is offering 30 days of free self-storage or container use at more than 50 of its locations across the state. For more information contact the nearest participating location at bit.ly/3Ehal49 .
• Visa is waiving interchange fees for donations made to the Florida Relief Fund. They will match employee donations made in support of Florida disaster relief efforts and the Visa Small Business Team has activated their Back to Business tools to help Floridians affected by Hurricane Idalia.
• Comcast has opened 141,000 public Xfinity WiFi hotspots in areas it serves across Florida in Hurricane Idalia’s potential path for anyone to use, including non-Xfinity customers, for free.

• Uber announces FREE* round-trip rides to Florida shelter locations in in Alachua, Citrus, Collier, Dixie, Hernando, Hillsborough, Lake, Leon, Manatee, Marion, Nassau, Orange, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, Sumter, Union, and Volusia Counties in preparation of Hurricane Idalia.
  • Open your app.
  • Tap “Account” on the bottom right.
  • Tap Wallet
  • Scroll down to “+ Add Promo Code.”
  • Enter code IDALIARELIEF
    • *Up to $35 each way, to and from a state- approved evacuation shelter listed at www.floridadisaster.org/planprepare/shelters .

• Businesses located in Florida are encouraged to review the Business Re-Entry Procedures and ensure that employees have the required documentation prior to the storm’s arrival.
• Rosen Hotels and Resorts is activating their Florida Residents Distressed Rates to give Floridians a safe, affordable place to stay during Tropical Strom Idalia. Evacuees can call 866-33-ROSEN (76736) to reserve a room.
• VISIT FLORIDA has activated the Emergency Accommodations Module with Expedia to provide real-time availability of hotel rooms throughout the state.
• A blast email from the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) linking the Boil Water Notice Guidelines and the Emergency Recovery Guidelines will be sent to food and lodging establishments throughout the impacted areas of the state to help businesses prepare for post-storm recovery.
• The DBPR Division of Hotels and Restaurants is coordinating and preparing emergency response teams in the Big Bend, North Florida and Tampa Bay regions for a post-storm rapid response to assist lodging establishments and restaurants in reopening as necessary.
• DBPR encourages Florida’s licensed contractors who are looking to help property owners in need of post-storm construction-related services to register with the Florida Disaster Contractors Network at

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