Floridians are banding together, as Hurricane Ian wreaked havoc on Southwest and Central Florida last week. Federal, state and local officials are working together in response and recovery efforts, as the tragic hurricane brought destruction to many parts of the state.

IN STATEWIDE NEWS:

As of Sunday, more than 1,600 rescues have been made, with more than 1,000 workers performing search and rescue missions. 42,000 lineman are currently working to restore power outages, with power being restored to 1.8 million accounts, while 840,000 accounts remain without power. The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) has deployed thousands of workers and distributed nearly a million meals and four million gallons of water to residents in need. Many state agencies are engaged in the ongoing relief efforts, serving all individuals that have been impacted by this catastrophic event.

Governor Ron DeSantis has called on the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to expedite emergency repairs in Lee County so motorists can access Pine Island. Governor DeSantis has also directed the Lee County Electric Cooperative to accept mutual aid for power restoration in Cape Coral, Sanibel, North Fort Myers and Pine Island.

First Lady Casey DeSantis announced that a volunteer team - Hope Heroes - will work with the Florida Department of Elder Affairs (FDEA) to help seniors that have been affected by Hurricane Ian. She also announced that more than $20 million has been raised through the Florida Disaster Fund.

Governor DeSantis also made two reappointments to the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC), as well as eleven appointments to the CareerSource Florida Board of Directors.

IN CLIENT NEWS:

Expedia has partnered with VISIT FLORIDA to provide emergency accommodations to individuals displaced by Hurricane Ian. The real-time module shows available lodging accommodations throughout the state.

Before and after Hurricane Ian made landfall, Uber provided free round-trip rides to and from state-approved evacuation shelters. This promotion helped Floridians take cover and undoubtedly saved lives.

The Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants (FICPA) released an advocacy update last week which highlighted News Release IR-2022-168. The IRS is providing tax relief to Floridians by extending the deadline for individuals and businesses to file returns and pay taxes until February 15, 2023. The deadline for quarterly payroll and excise tax returns has also been extended until February 15, 2023.

Please read below to catch up on all of last week's key developments, events and client actions.

Photo courtesy of Governor DeSantis' Twitter page.

FLORIDA RESPONDS TO

HURRICANE IAN

Florida is moving forward in recovery efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian. 42,000 lineman are currently working to restore more than 840,000 power outages, while 1.8 million accounts have already had power restored. Within the first 48 hours of activation of the Florida Disaster Fund, more than $21 million has been raised to assist individuals impacted by Hurricane Ian.

Highlights of response and recovery efforts include:

Search and Rescue

• More than 1,600 rescues made.

• More than 1,000 workers performing search and rescue missions.

• 1,000 members of the National Guard and Coast Guard performing conducting search and rescue on barrier islands.

Florida Division of Emergency Management

• Distributed more than 829,000 MREs and 3.8 million bottles of water to date.

• Served more than 70,000 hot meals in 17 counties.

• Deployed more than 1,800 workers from 26 states to assist in recovery efforts through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC).

• Mobilized more than 1.4 million gallons of fuel through eight fuel depots, with four additional depots being staged.

• More than 350 State Emergency Response Team (SERT) members staffing the State Emergency Operations Center.

Health and Human Services

• 21 health care facilities have re-opened following evacuations.

• 12 special needs shelters remain open.

• Six health care facilities in five counties remain closed due to hurricane damage.

• The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) is asking all health care providers to report their census, beds available, generator status and evacuation status.

• 400 nurses are traveling to Southwest Florida.

• 345 facilities have had power restored.

Transportation and Infrastructure

• The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is expediting emergency repairs to roads and bridges in Lee County.

• 88% of state roadways have been cleared of downed trees and branches.

• 2,507 bridges have been inspected.

Mass Aid

• 295 trucks full of water and food on their way to impacted areas, with 40 truckloads of ice on their way to Central Florida.

• More than 3.5 million meals and 1.8 million gallons of bottled water deployed to affected areas.

• Disaster SNAP benefits enabled for food assistance due to loss of income related to the hurricane.

• SNAP benefits can be used to purchase hot food.

Law Enforcement

• The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) has opened staging areas in Southwest Florida and Hard County.

• FDLE has deployed more than 1,200 officers from over 50 agencies to assist in response.

• More than 100 FDLE agents are assisting with traffic control and security in Southwest Florida.

To read more about the state's full response and recovery efforts, click here.

Image courtesy of Expedia.

VISIT FLORIDA PARTNERS WITH EXPEDIA

TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY ACCOMMODATIONS

VISIT FLORIDA and Expedia have teamed up in response to Hurricane Ian, as Expedia launched their Emergency Accommodations Module. The module is being updated in real-time to show available hotel and lodging accommodations throughout the state. Additionally, Expedia is working with VISIT FLORIDA and travel partners to waive cancellation fees and pet restrictions, but users should check in advance regarding pet restrictions.

We are proud of the work Expedia is doing to support Floridians during this difficult time.

Image courtesy of Uber.

UBER OFFERS FREE RIDES

TO AND FROM HURRICANE SHELTERS

Uber also stepped up to the plate before and after Hurricane Ian, offering free round-trip rides (up to $30 each way) to and from state-approved evacuation shelters if riders use promo code IANRELIEF. Individuals that would like to take advantage of this opportunity should do the following:

1) Open the Uber app.

2) Select "Account" on the bottom right.

3) Select "Wallet".

4) Scroll down and select "+ Add Promo Code".

5) Enter promo code IANRELIEF.

6) Select a state-approved evacuation shelter.

For more information download the Uber app or go Uber.com

Image courtesy of FICPA.

FICPA ISSUES ADVOCACY UPDATE

In the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants' (FICPA) Advocacy Update released last week, FICPA highlighted News Release IR-2022-168, which provides tax relief for Floridians in each county throughout the state. Individuals and businesses affected by Hurricane Ian will have until February 15, 2023 to file returns and pay taxes that were due during this period. This extended deadline also applies to quarterly estimated income tax payments that were initially due on January 17, 2023.

Additionally, quarterly payroll and excise tax returns that are normally due on October 31, 2022 and January 31, 2023 will now be due by February 15, 2022. Furthermore, businesses that have an original or extended due date, as well as calendar-year tax-exempt organizations whose 2021 extensions were valid until November 15, 2022 will also have until February 15.

The disaster declaration will also allow the IRS to postpone certain deadlines for taxpayers that reside or have a business in the disaster area under Code Section 7508A, including 2021 individual income tax returns. Read more here.

Photo courtesy of Liberty Partners of Tallahassee.

GOVERNOR RON DESANTIS REAPPOINTS

GARY CLARK AND GABRIELLA PASSIDOMO

TO PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION

On Friday, Governor Ron DeSantis reappointed Commissioners Gary Clark and Gabriella Passidomo to the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC), effective January 2, 2023 and subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

Commissioner Clark has served on the PSC since 2017 and was previously Deputy Secretary of Land and Recreation at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Additionally, Commissioner Clark has served on the Northwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board, Washington County School Board and the Chipola College District Board of Trustees.

Commissioner Passidomo has served on the PSC since 2021 and previously served as an attorney in the Regulatory Analysis Section of the PSC’s Office of the General Counsel. She is also a member of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC), where she serves on the Committee on Gas and the Gas Subcommittee on Pipeline Safety. Read more here.

Florida Receives Approval for National Flood Insurance Program Waiver

-Florida DFS

Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) authorized the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to approve Florida’s request for a waiver allowing policyholders within the program to access a portion of their claims without going through the full claims process. Full story here.

FEMA Supporting Ian Response

-FEMA OEA

To provide information and resources to Hurricane Ian survivors, FEMA published a Hurricane Ian webpage that includes information on how to donate, volunteer, dispel rumors and find assistance. Full story here.

Governor Ron DeSantis Directs FDOT to Expedite Emergency Repairs Needed to Restore Access to Pine Island

-FL Gov.

Governor Ron DeSantis directed FDOT to assist Lee County to expedite emergency repairs to the road and bridges that provide motorists access to Pine Island. Full story here.

Governor Ron DeSantis Calls on Lee County Electric Cooperative to Accept Mutual Aid to Expedite Power Restoration

-FL Gov.

After receiving a briefing at the State Emergency Operations Center on current efforts to restore power in Southwest Florida, Governor DeSantis called on the Lee County Electric Cooperative (LCEC) to accept additional mutual aid to expedite power restoration to the residents of Cape Coral, North Fort Myers, Sanibel and Pine Island. Full story here.

First Lady Casey DeSantis Announces Hope Florida – A Pathway to Purpose Volunteers Mobilizing to Help Seniors in Need Following Hurricane Ian

-FL Gov.

First Lady Casey DeSantis announced the deployment of Hope Heroes, the volunteer team she assembled as part of her Hope Florida – A Pathway to Purpose initiative in partnership with the Florida Department of Elder Affairs, to support older Floridians who have been impacted by Hurricane Ian. Full story here.

First Lady Casey DeSantis Announces Over $20 Million Raised within 48 Hours of Activating the Florida Disaster Fund

-FL Gov.

First Lady Casey DeSantis announced that within 48 hours of activation the Florida Disaster Fund raised over $20 million in donations to support communities impacted by Hurricane Ian. Full story here.

Governor Ron DeSantis Appoints Eleven to the CareerSource Florida Board of Directors

-FL Gov.

Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of John Adams Jr., Kiley Damone, Eric Hall, Timothy Hinson, Joe Marino, Kevin McDonald, Laurie Sallarulo, Andrew Schmadeke, Jerry “Les” Sims and the reappointment of Jennifer O’Flannery Anderson and Allison Kinney to the CareerSource Florida Board of Directors. Full story here.

@LibertyPartners: Proud to have these two companies as clients! @Uber offering free rides to shelters, @Expedia booking rooms for Hurricane Ian evacuees #flapol

https://twitter.com/LibertyPartners/status/1575480618531569666?s=20&t=_hZe1Ot8DQGdAd1jmSzNtQ

@FLSheriffs: Stay out of the water! You are not only putting your life at risk, but you are also putting the lives of the first responders at risk. Seek shelter INSIDE. #Ian #HurricaneIan

https://twitter.com/FLSheriffs/status/1575157078674624517?s=20&t=toPrIWWZVWVkpEwJy-AR_A

@FALASOURCE: Is your business and your technology prepared for a major storm? Visit https://bit.ly/3rcxs9z for vital tips.

https://twitter.com/FALASOURCE/status/1575123590302908418?s=20&t=toPrIWWZVWVkpEwJy-AR_A

@CaseyDeSantis: On behalf of @RonDeSantisFL, I want to thank everyone across FL and across our nation who offered their support for Floridians who have been impacted by Hurricane Ian. Text DISASTER to 20222 or visit http://FloridaDisasterFund.org to help. Please continue to keep FL in your prayers.

https://twitter.com/CaseyDeSantis/status/1575493997321388034?s=20&t=toPrIWWZVWVkpEwJy-AR_A

@GovRonDeSantis: Since 1AM, search and rescue operations have been underway in response to #HurricaneIan. Thanks to @FLTF2USAR for being the first on-site and to the U.S. Coast Guard for their great efforts.

https://twitter.com/GovRonDeSantis/status/1575503655200923651?s=20&t=toPrIWWZVWVkpEwJy-AR_A