Biden speaks with DeSantis, approves Florida disaster declaration for Hurricane Idalia 

President Biden called Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) on Thursday about the major disaster declaration he signed for the state in response to Hurricane Idalia.

On the call, Biden also conveyed that he “ordered all available federal resources to help with the continued response to Tropical Storm Idalia,” according to the White House.

And, it added, “the president reiterated that the people of Florida have his full support as they recover from the storm.” The major disaster declaration allows for federal funding to be available to affected individuals in the counties of Citrus, Dixie, Hamilton, Lafayette, Levy, Suwannee and Taylor and for additional assistance to Florida in the form of grants for temporary housing and home repairs and low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses.

It also allows for federal funding to state and local governments and private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and makes funding available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide. 

Biden appointed Brent Howard of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to lead up coordinating federal recovery operations in the affected areas. FEMA Director Deanne Criswell traveled to Florida on Wednesday to be with DeSantis on the ground.

Biden has been in contact every day this week with DeSantis, who is seeking the GOP presidential nomination and is one of the president’s top political rivals. DeSantis often bashes Biden’s policies on the campaign trail and took aim at the White House in last week’s GOP primary debate, arguing the country is in decline during Biden’s presidency.

“I think he trusts my judgement and my desire to help,” Biden said of DeSantis on Wednesday in regards to the hurricane.

Biden called DeSantis on Wednesday, as well as Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R), South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster (R) and North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper (D) to offer support during the storm.

Biden and DeSantis have set aside politics in the past, with Biden visiting Florida after a building collapse in 2021 and again meeting with DeSantis and state officials last year to tour storm damage in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian.

In anticipation of Hurricane Idalia, Biden approved an emergency declaration for Florida, freeing up additional federal resources for the state to respond to it. FEMA has also deployed personnel and resources to the state.