Checking In on Florida

Amid the devastation of Hurricane Helene, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is quietly setting the bar for effective governance. (AP)

The latest: DeSantis said Monday Florida authorities have restored power to 2.36 million accounts, with just 55,000 outstanding, and that the federal government should focus its aid efforts on North Carolina.

• DeSantis: “We have it handled. We have what we need … Most of the effort should be in western North Carolina right now because you still have active rescues that need to take place.”

• In addition, the Florida governor has committed to helping North Carolina by dispatching over 100 Starlink satellites, three boats, an aircraft and teams for search-and-rescue operations.

• 116 people were reportedly killed by Hurricane Helene nationwide, with 13 of those deaths occurring in Florida (70 people have died in the Carolinas).

This isn’t DeSantis’ first rodeo: Last year, Florida restored power to 98% of accounts just five days after Hurricane Idalia ravaged the state.

• Some political analysts have said DeSantis’ response to Hurricane Ian in 2022 helped propel him to reelection that same year.

• President Biden characterized DeSantis’ Ian response as “pretty remarkable.”

Conservative influencer Erick Erickson: