Hurricane Ian Devastated His District. Will Byron Donalds Leave Isaias Survivors Facing the Same Recovery Failures?

FLORIDA — As Hurricane Isaias survivors confront the daunting task of rebuilding, federal assistance remains limited to emergency protective measures, with no Individual Assistance, debris removal funding or reimbursement for state and local governments authorized under the current declaration. Gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds, whose Southwest Florida district was devastated by Hurricane Ian, has promised to build on Governor DeSantis’s record. With survivors in his own district still waiting for recovery assistance four years after Hurricane Ian, Floridians deserve to know what that promise means for them.

The following statement can be attributed to Jamil Davis, North Florida Lead Regional Organizer, Black Voters Matter:

“Byron Donalds should know better than anyone that surviving the hurricane is only the beginning. Two days after Hurricane Ian devastated communities in his own district in 2022, he voted against relief funds and survivors are still waiting for the assistance they need to rebuild. They don’t need another promise. They need help.

“Now Isaias survivors face damaged homes, mounting bills and a federal declaration that doesn’t even cover debris removal, much less direct recovery assistance for families. Is this the DeSantis playbook Donalds wants to continue?

“Donalds owes Floridians an answer: What will he do differently for families still waiting after Ian, and those whose recovery is just beginning?”

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