Biden announced more than $60 million for Hurricane Fiona response

On Monday, during a visit to Puerto Rico, President Joe Biden announced more than $60 million for Hurricane Fiona relief efforts.

The president pledged that the federal government would support Puerto Rico as well as the states of Florida and South Carolina, which have been hit hard by Hurricane Ian in recent days.

Biden travels to Florida on Wednesday.

More than $60 million is being allocated to Puerto Rico as part of the Infrastructure Act “to strengthen dams and flood control levees and create a new flood warning system to help Puerto Rico better prepare for future hurricanes,” a White House official said.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Director Deanne Criswell and First Lady Jill Biden are accompanying the president on a trip to Puerto Rico.

Criswell told reporters aboard Air Force One that the Biden administration is monitoring the impact of Hurricane Ian on the insurance industry. She said last week that the damage from Ian would be enormous.

“I’m heading to Puerto Rico because it has received little attention,” Biden told reporters, referring to the previous administration’s slowness in providing aid after Hurricane Maria in 2017. – They’re trying very hard to catch up after the last hurricane. I want to see how things are today and make sure we’re doing everything we can.”

Hurricane victims in Florida and islands near South Carolina are facing tens of billions of dollars in disaster relief.

Hundreds of thousands of people have been without power since Hurricane Fiona hit Puerto Rico about two weeks ago.

On Sunday, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said on Twitter that power to the island is 90 percent restored.

“This is a major milestone – just 13 days after Fiona reached the shores (of the island),” she said. – While we are grateful for this progress, we realize that the work is not over. The recovery and relief efforts will continue.