Gov. DeSantis asks Joe Biden for major disaster declaration for Broward flooding
Who's the real threat to democracy? Answers may vary.

Biden DeSantis
The Governor made the request while in Utah for a political speech.

Gov. Ron DeSantis is taking a break from fighting Joe Biden to ask for federal help.

On Saturday, the Florida Governor (who is in Utah preparing to address that state’s Republican Convention) requested a major disaster declaration for Broward County.

“If granted by the White House, a Major Disaster Declaration will provide a wide range of federal assistance programs for individuals and public infrastructure damaged by the floods,” reads a media release from the Governor’s Office.

Though DeSantis has been traveling for political purposes for most of the last week, staffers have been on the scene.

“On Monday, April 17th Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) Executive Director Kevin Guthrie requested Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA) teams deploy to Broward County for in-person PDAs,” the Governor’s Office says.

“Joint State & Federal Teams have been in the field conducting damage assessments in impacted flood areas since Wednesday, April 19th and are estimated to complete physical assessments this weekend. In less than three days, teams have assessed over 1,300 homes and identified over 1,000 with major damages.”

The Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program has been activated, meanwhile, with $5 million now available for businesses impacted by floods.

Despite the Governor’s political travels, his office contends he is on the job. He issued an Executive Order April 13 declaring a state of emergency in the wake of rains that exceeded the two feet mark in isolated spots.

A.G. Gancarski

A.G. Gancarski has written for FloridaPolitics.com since 2014. He is based in Northeast Florida. He can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter: @AGGancarski


22 comments

  • Ron DeSanctimonious

    April 22, 2023 at 12:58 pm

    “Florida is a disaster. Help me Joe.” – GOP life story

    • Minister Evangelist Stephanie Holloway

      April 22, 2023 at 5:31 pm

      Most people lost everything. Why does it take so long to give us help what is our tax dollar went. See this what happen you vote to people in office it not the people you DeSantis making name for yourself. All the community was effect. I notice when come community black or sector Broward County nobody care use. When 2 and half in apartment nobody came to us or the community. The hardest thing is not having clothes or blanket sleeping, I have been storm. As community we had get out their try clean the drain, city of ft Lauderdale which Broward County never clean, right these need to be clean. Where is the tax money, it should not matter we leave it or what community you in. It you. Vote in to the office you should be for the people not your pocket. I am black woman live by faith of God, not one person visit or knock on door. People should be give emergency food stamp, you house not without anything. RonDeSanitas you worry about President you will never win Florida, they want you out, you has governor has turn Florida in disasters, You governor your problem should women and children and elderly people. Stop think what have did to Florida why thing are happen if you are faith and believe God, sent warning now destruction of Florida. ELECTION you just make name for yourself. Ask yourself what important to you is the people Florida or your pocket. If my life was mes up but only God can judge. Hope that you open your see. Live depressed Iife, my people are put back burner. I am education, Stop make change, stop tell people if child trangender can live. You not God.. I wish I could stand in front you and congressional really give a speech. Just remember people make this country not about color of skin about loving one another as one.

    • Bparks

      April 23, 2023 at 5:07 pm

      Exactly
      Where were Republicans during Katrina? Douchebags.

  • Earl Pitts American

    April 22, 2023 at 1:30 pm

    Good afternoon America,
    Desantis is smart to ask for disaster aid for Broward County at this time. Broward was the center of cheating for Biden votes in the last POTUS election and Broward has passed Miami/Dade as the Florida epicenter of staggering numbers of dook 4 brains leftists in Florida.
    On this disaster aid request Desantis has Biden tied up over the barrell with KY in his tater hole. There is no way in #ell Biden can refuse Desantis’ request for aid. No Way. So mark my, Earl Pitts American’s, truth words of wisdom.
    You are welcome America,
    Earl Pitts American

    • Angel Menendez

      April 22, 2023 at 2:25 pm

      Biden will grant the request because it is the right thing* to do for Americans in time of need. Something DeSantis knows nothing about. He’s only intetested in scoring cheap political points with his “base”.
      *See The Categorical Imperative.

    • Dont Say FLA

      April 22, 2023 at 3:47 pm

      EPA be careful if you only watch Fox News you definitely don’t know because they’re not reporting it but Fox News cost itself three quarters of a billion dollars for the same stolen election claims you wrote right here. You are putting your three quarters at risk good sir.

    • Elizabeth Puntillo-Schreiber

      April 23, 2023 at 7:38 am

      All red states should be cut off from Federal monies period. They don’t like “big” government? Good let your States figure it out. Red States take more money out of the Federal budget than they put in anyway. Red states perform the lowest on all public concerns. Education, health, poverty, infant mortality etc.

    • Anita Dinsmore

      April 23, 2023 at 1:48 pm

      The Biden administration will provide help to anyone who needs it after the request is made by the governor of a particular state that was impacted. No politics involved. Biden has proven that time and again. The hypocrite here is DeSantis who calls such help socialism yet is begging on the feds doorstep for money to help with restoration. Like any hypocrite, he wants it both ways.

    • Bparks

      April 23, 2023 at 5:09 pm

      Biden is a good human being! He would help regardless. Where were Republicans during Katrina? ABSENT

  • Steven

    April 22, 2023 at 2:48 pm

    IF I SEE THE FLORIDA GOVERNORS NAME ON A BALLOT NEXT TO DONALD TRUMP, I WILL WITHOUT HESITATION VOTE FOR THE DONALD.

  • SarH

    April 22, 2023 at 3:04 pm

    If i was a republican I wouldn’t vote for either one of those two if they were on the ballot. One is Trump. Ugh and the other is a Trump want to be. Ugh

    • Anita Dinsmore

      April 23, 2023 at 1:50 pm

      Both are authoritarian fascists. Both are a danger to democracy and neither deserve to hold the office of President.

      • Bparks

        April 23, 2023 at 5:10 pm

        I agree 110%

  • Dont Say FLA

    April 22, 2023 at 3:45 pm

    Governor Mo’s super PAC is named Don’t Back Down but one simple flood and Rhonda’s Panties back down again. Fleur D’UH.

  • Henderson

    April 22, 2023 at 6:11 pm

    My parents retired in Florida
    And lived on their social security for 35 years ..
    I find myself now a widower
    Retired at 75 with only
    Social security…I am have
    Been priced out of se.
    Florida and If I could find
    Away financially I would
    Leave Florida and the
    Main reason is ron
    Disingenuous!!! We need
    Leaders that care about
    Floridians that were here
    Before he was even born
    We have paid our dues
    And.now feel helpless
    I would not want the
    Karma this Govenor
    Has earned by caring
    Only about his political
    Ambition and neglecting
    The needs of the Seniors
    That helped Florida grow
    When it was primarily
    A great place to retire…
    He has ruined the dreams
    Of millions of seniors
    To retire with dignity!

    • Vinrod

      April 24, 2023 at 11:05 pm

      I am sure your parents didn’t live on “only” social security when the lived in FL.
      And how has he ruined the dreams of seniors wanting to retire?
      Is he responsible for the inflation making our money lose value every year, or is that Biden’s economic policies and runaway expending?

  • Domonick McClanahan

    April 22, 2023 at 6:31 pm

    How long does he have to decide?
    or when can we except an answer?

  • Dr Craig

    April 23, 2023 at 9:27 am

    Joe hands billions to Ukraine like it is candy, yet needs to be asked to help the same people footing the bill for his cover up if Ukraine corruption.

    • Anita Dinsmore

      April 23, 2023 at 1:55 pm

      That’s they way the system works. The feds can’t interfere in state problems unless the governor requests help. And Biden doesn’t just hand money over to Ukraine. He needs to seek and obtain the approval of Congress. Comments such as yours show a real ignorance of how government legally works.

    • Bparks

      April 23, 2023 at 5:13 pm

      Uniforimformed as usual. You may remember the help has been Bipartisan. Don’t you remember Republicans giving hom shit for not doing enough? What short term memories you all have! Btw genius, No President csn spend money. It literally “Take an Act of Congress”! Peace

      • Vinrod

        April 24, 2023 at 10:59 pm

        Tell that to Pres Biden that wants to spend $500B to $1 Trillion forgiving student loans. Even Nancy Pelosi said he couldn’t do that two years ago before she bent her knee to the Emperor 😂😂

  • tjb

    April 27, 2023 at 3:16 pm

    Sad that DeSantis put the request in 13 days after the disaster. I guess he was too busy campaigning to help the people of Florida.

Comments are closed.


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