Is Florida back? The long and tortuous relationship with hurricanes has burnished Florida’s capability – both at governmental and private-sector levels – to bounce back “bigger and better.” There is no higher priority, and likely no state better equipped to defend against these life-changing weather events. Even before landfall, thousands of first responders, National Guard units, rescue/recovery and power restoration teams, along with their helicopters, high-water vehicles, medical services, food, water, bedding and medical supplies, were deployed with military precision to be on site where and when the storm hit. That’s standard procedure. Within 36 hours after Ian’s landfall, Governor Ron DeSantis was able to announce that power had been restored to 97 per cent of the most heavily affected areas and, within three weeks, roadways were cleared, debris removed, and the causeway to Sanibel Island, severed by giant tides, was restored – a feat initially predicted to require months to complete. According to updates from the governor’s office, in the first three weeks of recovery, 54 million meals were distributed to displaced families, 4,000 miles of state roads and all major arteries were cleared, rebuilt and restored and, by the end of October, almost 600,000 property claims worthmore than $7.6 billion were lodged with insurers – with a lot more to come in ensuing weeks and months. For the hardest-hit areas of Florida’s southwest Gulf Coast, a full recovery will take years. This will be a marathon, not a sprint. But local community leaders have vowed to build back to standards and protections that will prevent the extensive damage done by Ian or Andrew. As for the nine-tenths of Florida beyond Lee and Charlotte counties, there will be few impediments to winter travel. The welcome mat is out. Special Report TORONTO THINKING OF UPGRADING YOUR CONDO? 416.495.8282 goldenbeehomes.com 2022 BILD AWARDS RENOVATOR OF THE YEAR & CUSTOM HOME BUILDER OF THE YEAR Licensed, Registered, & Insured Design Build Firm COMMITED TO PROVIDING YOU WITH AN UNPARALLELED RENOVATION EXPERIENCE HOME & CONDO RENOVATIONS CHECK OUT OUR REVIEWS ON OUR WEBSITE! Medical writer and author Milan Korcok is a dual Canadian/U.S. citizen. He has been covering international health-care and snowbird issues for many years. He resides in Fort Lauderdale. He can be reached at Mkorcok@aol.com CSANews | WINTER 2022 | 21
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