Staff Reports
Last Call — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
AT&T is calling on customers to donate in support of Hurricane Ian relief.
The telecommunications giant has set up a series of text-to-give numbers for one-time donations that will be added to customers’ mobile phone bills.
Text IAN to 90999 to donate $10 to the American Red Cross. Text DISASTER to 20222 to donate $10 to Volunteer Florida Foundation — Florida Disaster Fund. Text HOME to 501501 to donate $20 to the St. Bernard Project. Text CONNECT to 20222 to donate $10 to the Information Technology Disaster Resource Center.
“Your donation will help those affected by Hurricane Ian and the immediate and long-term recovery efforts,” said Ann L. Elsas, lead public relations manager for AT&T Southeast.
The Red Cross has mobilized and has supplies, including cots, blankets, flashlights, food, water and cleanup kits. Volunteers on the ground are working with local officials, including to establish post-storm sheltering.
Donations to Volunteer Florida will support local disaster relief organizations.
Donations to the St. Bernard Project help disaster response team support and long-term home rebuilding.
And of course, with much of the Southwest Florida region destroyed, communication is out. Donations to the IT Disaster Resource Center will help connect survivors and responders.
Evening Reads
—“Joe Biden: Ian ‘could be the deadliest hurricane in Florida’s history’” via Alex Roarty of the Miami Herald
—“Ron DeSantis takes aerial tour of ‘biblical’ storm surge destruction of Sanibel” via Mary Ellen Klas of the Miami Herald/Tampa Bay Times Tallahassee Bureau
—“Map: Where Hurricane Ian hit Florida hardest” via Lazaro Gamio and Ashley Wu of The New York Times
—“Floridians could face weeks without power if Ian leaves grid ‘beyond repair’” via Catherine Morehouse of POLITICO
—“‘Fort Myers Beach is gone’: Waterfront workers recount Hurricane Ian devastation” via Dan Glaun of the Fort Myers News-Press
—“Curfews in effect for much of SW Florida as first-in teams clear roads” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics
—“Water crises prompt hospital evacuations, hydration fears in Southwest Florida” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics
—“Hurricane Ian uproots Dali Museum’s Wish Tree” via Kelly Hayes of Florida Politics
—“Tropical Storm Ian moving away but Central Florida still reeling in its wake” via Richard Tribou, Jeffrey Schweers, Roger Simmons and Jeff Weiner of the Orlando Sentinel
—“Water tops St. Augustine sea walls as city, St. Johns County flood from Ian” via Wes Wolfe of Florida Politics
—“Disney World to reopen Friday with ‘phased approach’” via Katie Rice of the Orlando Sentinel
Quote of the Day
“It got hit with really biblical storm surge. And it washed away roads. It washed away structures.”
— Gov. Ron DeSantis on the damage Hurricane Ian dealt to Southwest Florida.
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