DeSantis says Florida has no time for red tape with Helene response

(The Center Square) – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis says "we don't have time for bureaucracy, we don't have time for red tape" when it comes to businesses coming back to areas stricken by Hurricane Helene.

In a news conference in Steinhatchee on Monday, DeSantis mentioned a Steinhatchee business, Roy's Restaurant, that was leveled by the storm.

With owner Linda Wicker on hand, DeSantis announced that he ordered the Department of Business and Professional Regulation to allow her business to utilize a donated food truck while they rebuild their restaurant after she encountered pushback from the agency.

DeSantis has activated the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program, making $15 million available for businesses impacted by Helene. Applicants have a deadline of Nov. 24 to apply for the loans or until the funds are depleted, whichever comes first.

State officials said that rescue operations by the Florida Fish and Wildlife and Florida National Guard will end today.

DeSantis also said most of the federal response should be directed at western North Carolina, where he says there are active rescues that need to take place.

"Obviously, there may be a need to ask for additional things in the future," DeSantis said, adding that Florida was fully approved by President Joe Biden for FEMA reimbursement and other aid. "Just think it's almost like if this area were totally cut off and every road was destroyed and all that. But you can get still get places by boat. There you can't do that. There should be no one left behind in those communities."

According to state officials, there are only 87,000 accounts without power after Helene, with 2.32 million restored as of 9 a.m. on Monday.

Helene made landfall in Dekle Beach in Taylor County on Thursday as a Category 4 storm. She is the most powerful storm to hit the Big Bend region in recorded history with winds of 140 mph and surge flooding of 20 feet or more in some areas.