Gov. DeSantis speaks in Perry on Idalia recovery

Governor touts quick restoration after storm

DeSantis speaks in Perry (Copyright 2023 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.)

PERRY, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis gave an update on the recovery after Hurricane Idalia slammed into the state’s Big Bend region last Wednesday.

DeSantis spoke in Perry at 6 p.m. Monday at Perry-Foley Airport. The area was hit hard by the storm as it came ashore.

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The governor touted the quick recovery efforts, saying that 96% of all homes and businesses that lost power to the storm have been restored.

“So, currently in the state of Florida, there are less than 23,000 accounts that do not have power at this point,” he said.

The governor added that all school districts affected by the storm are expected to reopen by Thursday.

“This is a big challenge and the fact that they’re going to be open basically a week after the storm hit — that’s pretty impressive,” the governor said.

Hurricane Idalia made landfall near Keaton Beach, about 22 miles away from Perry, as a powerful Category 3 storm with sustained winds near 125 mph.

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About the Author

Thomas Mates is a digital storyteller for News 6 and ClickOrlando.com. He also produces the podcast Florida Foodie. Thomas is originally from Northeastern Pennsylvania and worked in Portland, Oregon before moving to Central Florida in August 2018. He graduated from Temple University with a degree in Journalism in 2010.

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