MATLACHA, Fla. — Governor Ron DeSantis was back in Southwest Florida on Wednesday as the region continues to rebuild from the devastating effects of Hurricane Ian.
The governor held a noon press conference in the Lee County town of Matlacha ahead of a meeting with President Joe Biden, who visiting a heavily affected region.
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The temporary bridge to the stricken Pine Island is scheduled to open to the public later Wednesday, the governor said.
“I have instructed the Department of Transportation to find a solution so that we can restore access so that people can live on the island, what they want to do, but also be able to get out to be able to go about their lives,” DeSantis said.
Governor visited Pine Island on foot Tuesday and described downed power lines and damaged infrastructure, but described the people who live there as “incredibly resilient.”
Watch the press conference below:
The temporary bridge to the stricken Pine Island is scheduled to reopen Wednesday
“Now this bridge is there [set to open]they might start getting some of those trucks because you have some areas where you have significant downed lines,” he said.
He was inspired by the work of everyone involved in helping those in need over the past week.
“I think we have a chance to recover a lot faster than people think,” DeSantis said. “There is a great spirit on the island.”
DeSantis also made his first walking tour of Sanibel Island on Wednesday and discussed the “incredible amount of trash” and significant damage to some of the island’s older homes.
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“I think Sanibel has more trash than any place I’ve seen so far,” DeSantis said. “I’ve seen more energy infrastructure damage on Sanibel than anywhere else, and maybe even more than Fort Myers Beach. I saw concrete communication poles broken in half.”
He said a contract is now in place to build a temporary bridge to Sanibel Island, with a schedule to reopen by the end of October.
During his visit to Southwest Florida, Biden will survey the damage from the air and meet with residents, small business owners, DeSantis and other local officials.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement said Tuesday night that the Florida Board of Medical Examiners has confirmed 72 deaths related to the storm, including one in Martin County.
