Southern California sends emergency personnel to Florida – Orange County Register

California sent a team of emergency management experts to Florida. Hurricane Ianone of the most powerful storms to hit the United States slammed into it.

In addition to a team of five government-sponsored mass care professionals. Gavin Newsomtwo Orange County Fire Department personnel are supporting efforts in Florida, said Capt. Thanh Nguyen.

One is the FEMA Incident Support Team Leader and the other is the Situational Unit Leader.Both were deployed to help in the aftermath of Hurricane Fionacause Damage in the Caribbean and Puerto Ricoredirected to Florida.

They will stay in Florida “until the job is done,” Nguyen said.

Additionally, firefighters from Los Angeles and Riverside counties – who are part of FEMA’s Urban Search and Rescue Response team as well as OCFA officials – have been approved for deployment to Florida, the governor’s office said.

The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire Department, Sacramento County Fire Department, Chula Vista Fire Department, and San Diego Fire Department are also providing personnel.

On Thursday, the governor’s office said a team of five major health care professionals could facilitate shelter for storm-evacuated people and support the Florida Operations Center in Tallahassee.

Additional personnel and resources will be sent to Florida to assist with hurricane relief and recovery efforts, if needed, according to California’s chief executive officer.

“California stands with the people of Florida,” Newsom said. “Our state is familiar with the effects of natural disasters and stands ready to provide much-needed aid and assistance to communities affected by this horrific storm.”

As rumors of a possible 2024 presidential election swirl for both Newsom and Governor Ron DeSantis, Newsom and Florida’s Republican governor butted heads over immigration tactics and hairstyles.

However When asked about his challenge this week Newsom put the feud aside for DeSantis to debate.

“I have deep empathy and respect for the challenges facing the Governor and, of course, all Floridians,” Newsom said. “We are here for our fellow Americans. We are there and we will always be there for the people of Florida and Governor DeSantis.”

A Category 4 storm flooded homes on both coasts of the state, blocked the only bridge to the barrier island, destroyed a historic waterfront jetty, and wiped out 2.67 million homes and businesses in Florida. (nearly a quarter of our utility customers) lost power.

Aerial photos of the Fort Myers area, a few miles west of where Ian landed, showed houses torn from their slabs and piled up in shredded debris. Shops near the coast were completely destroyed, leaving only twisted rubble. A broken dock floated at an odd angle next to a broken boat, and a fire was smoldering where a house had once been.

Fort Myers’ airport is open to emergency personnel and humanitarian flights only. said in a tweet late Thursday afternoon. All commercial flights have been cancelled.

“I’ve never seen a storm surge like this,” DeSantis said, referring to the rising water levels that occur during weather events like hurricanes. “The amount of water that is rising is likely to continue to rise even now that the storm has passed, basically he is a 1 in 500 year flood event.”

Ian was downgraded to a tropical storm, but the hurricane regained strength by Thursday afternoon as it hurtled toward South Carolina.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.