IN STATEWIDE NEWS:

The state is rallying around the Florida Panhandle, as residents begin the recovery process following the landfall of Hurricane Isaias. The hurricane, which made landfall near Destin as a Category 2 storm Friday night, brought winds exceeding 100 mph, heavy rainfall and coastal flooding. By Sunday afternoon, approximately 200,00 customer accounts were without power, with more than 16,000 utility workers mobilized for restoration efforts. Florida State Guard (FSG) soldiers have been deployed to assist with search and rescue, aerial assessments and recovery operations. State agencies are also supporting emergency communications, roadway clearance, fuel and supply distribution, shelter services, health facility evacuations, infrastructure assessments and business recovery. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has activated more than 1,100 workers and deployed heavy equipment, generators and pumps to affected areas. Governor DeSantis declared a state of emergency for 30 counties through Executive Orders 26-202 and 26-211, issued October 6 and amended October 7.

IN CLIENT NEWS:

Uber offered free or discounted roundtrip rides of up to $40 each way to state-approved evacuation shelters in Florida’s Panhandle ahead of Hurricane Isaias. Riders could use promo code ISAIAS26 in the Uber app to access the offer.

Expedia partnered with VISIT FLORIDA to help Hurricane Isaias evacuees find emergency lodging across Southeast, Southwest, Central and Northeast Florida. Through Expedia’s online search tool, residents could quickly locate available accommodations and secure a safe place to stay during the storm.

AT&T has reported that its wireless network was more than 99% restored across Florida, Alabama and Mississippi following Hurricane Isaias, with restoration improving by 80% in the hardest-hit areas over the last 24 hours. AT&T deployed more than 60 disaster recovery assets, opened its network to other carriers in select areas and supported first responders through FirstNet. The company also waived overage charges and provided unlimited talk, text and data to customers in affected ZIP codes through November 7.

IN FIRM NEWS:

Liberty Partners of Tallahassee President & CEO Jennifer Green joined the Ed Dean Show on Tuesday to discuss the upcoming midterm elections, Amendment 3 property tax relief proposal and key issues shaping the General Election, including data centers, property taxes and development. Jennifer emphasized voter turnout and noted uncertainties surrounding Amendment 3, including that renters and owners of non-homesteaded properties would not directly benefit from the proposed amendment.

HIGHLIGHTS

Image courtesy of FDEM State Emergency Response Team.

HURRICANE ISAIAS MAKES LANDFALL IN NORTHWEST FLORIDA

Throughout the weekend, Governor Ron DeSantis and state officials have been providing updates on the state's response and recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricane Isaias. The storm made landfall as a Category 2 hurricane near Destin around 9:30 p.m. on Friday, bringing wind gusts exceeding 100 mph, massive rainfall and rising water levels across many coastal areas along the Panhandle.

As of Sunday afternoon, approximately 200,000 customer accounts were without power throughout the state. Before Isaias made landfall, more than 16,000 linemen and electrical personnel were in position to assist with power restoration during the recovery process and are currently working diligently to restore electricity in the region's hardest-hit areas.

Highlights of Hurricane Isaias response efforts to this point include:

Nearly 400 Florida State Guard (FSG) soldiers have been deployed to assist in recovery efforts.

Seven teams with FSG's Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) unit are assisting in search and rescue missions, mapping and aerial support.

The FSG's Aviation Response Squadron is using five aircraft to support damage assessment, mapping and search and rescue.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) is providing and coordinating assets to impacted areas, including mobile command posts and units, backup communications and satellite systems and portable towers.

FDLE is assisting in fuel service along Interstate 10 for local law enforcement officers and first responders.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is supplying high-water vehicles and response resources for deployment.

The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) is actively assisting in clearing roadways, aiding utility restoration crews and escorting supplies.

The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) has opened a Health Facility Reporting System (HFRS) in 27 counties. The HFRS has reported six evacuations, including four assisted living facilities, one nursing home and one hospital.

The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) is assisting in food and water distribution, survivor support and shelter services. The agency has also assembled two shelter support teams.

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has more than 1,100 workers activated for response and recovery. The agency currently has more than 260 pieces of heavy equipment in storm-impacted areas, along with 1,400 generators and 100 pumps.

The Florida Department of Education (DOE) is coordinating with Northwest Florida school districts, colleges and universities in hurricane response.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is determining the status and needs of drinking water, wastewater and hazardous waste facilities in the area.

The Florida Department of Commerce and the State Emergency Response Team (SERT) have activated the Business Damage Assessment Survey. FloridaCommerce is also working with private sector partners to ensure first responders and recovery crews have lodging and staging areas.

Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 26-202 on October 6 and amended it with Executive Order 26-211 to include a state of emergency for 30 counties on October 7. Read more here.

UBER PROVIDES FREE TRIPS TO AND FROM HURRICANE SHELTERS IN PANHANDLE

To assist individuals seeking shelter ahead of Hurricane Isaias making landfall, Uber provided free or discounted roundtrip rides to and from shelters in the Florida Panhandle. The offer covered up to $40 each way to and from state-approved evacuation shelters. In the Uber app, riders can enter "ISAIAS26" as a promo code after selecting "wallet" and then "Add Promo Code". If the trip is less than $40, the promotion will cover any tips, taxes and fees. We are proud to represent Uber and appreciate their promotion to help those in need during Hurricane Isaias. Read more here.

Image courtesy of Expedia.

EXPEDIA PARTNERS WITH VISIT FLORIDA TO PROVIDE LODGING ACCOMMODATIONS TO EVACUEES

Expedia, also a Liberty Partners of Tallahassee client, partnered with VISIT FLORIDA to offer emergency lodging accommodations to residents evacuating from Hurricane Isaias. By using a search wizard on the Expedia website, individuals and families can find available options easily and quickly. Expedia offered accommodations in Southeast, Southwest, Central and Northeast Florida and is committed to helping those impacted by the hurricane find a safe place for a few days or longer. Click here.

Image courtesy of AT&T News.

Image courtesy of AT&T's X account.

AT&T PROVIDES SERVICE UPDATE

FOLLOWING HURRICANE ISAIAS

On Sunday afternoon, Liberty Partners of Tallahassee client - AT&T - provided an update on their latest connection restoration. Over the last 24 hours, AT&T's teams have been working in the areas hardest-hit by Hurricane Isaias with restoration improving by 80%. Currently, AT&T's wireless network is more than 99% back to normal in Florida, Alabama and Mississippi, and completely normal in Georgia and Louisiana.

Additionally, AT&T is letting customers that use other carriers to roam on the AT&T network in specific heavily-impacted areas. The company's Network Disaster Recovery team has deployed more than 60 assets and the FirstNet Response Operations Group is supporting first responders by ensuring critical communication is maintained.

Furthermore, AT&T will be waiving overage charges and giving unlimited talk, text and data to customers in zip codes impacted by the natural disaster until November 7. While customers might receive AT&T alerts during this time, accounts will show credits and data that is waived. Read more here.

LIBERTY PARTNERS PRESIDENT & CEO JOINS

ED DEAN MORNING SHOW

On Tuesday, Liberty Partners of Tallahassee President & CEO Jennifer Green joined the Ed Dean Show to discuss a number of topics. To begin the segment, Jennifer and Ed discussed the upcoming midterm elections, with Jennifer pointing to voter turnout as a key factor in many races. Additionally, Jennifer and Ed highlighted Amendment 3 related to property tax relief. Jennifer noted that there are many "unknowns" if the amendment passes and that if someone owns a non-homesteaded property or rents, they will not see relief from the amendment. Furthermore, Jennifer noted several issues that will impact the General Election, including data centers, property taxes and development. To listen to Jennifer's full segment, click here and begin at the 4:09 mark.

TEAM LPOT - HERE FOR YOU

The team at Liberty Partners remains vigilant in gathering information for our clients. Whether it is related to state, local or Federal government, feel free to send your questions Here or visit our website at: libertypartnersfl.com.

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IN THE NEWS

Ashley Moody says Donald Trump approved disaster declaration as Isaias makes landfall

-Florida Politics

U.S. Sens. Ashley Moody and Rick Scott urged President Donald Trump to pre-approve a state of emergency for 27 counties threatened by Hurricane Isaias. The request came as forecasts show the storm as a Category 3 major hurricane. Full story here.

Florida presses Meta for stiffer child safety rules after bypassing states settlement

-Politico

On the heels of a nearly $17 billion multistate settlement with Meta it didn’t participate in, Florida is now pressing the social media giant to do more to tighten child safety features. Full story here.

Gov. Ron DeSantis declares state of emergency for 25 counties

-Florida Politics

Gov. Ron DeSantis is declaring a state of emergency for 25 counties in North Florida ahead of a dangerous approaching storm. Full story here.

‘Claims do not submit themselves’: Florida cracks down on Medicaid fraud, projects $1B in savings

-News4Jax

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced sweeping results on Tuesday from the state’s ongoing Medicaid fraud crackdown, citing more than 220 provider terminations, over $230 million in suspicious billing identified, and nearly $1 billion in projected savings tied to applied behavioral analysis services alone. Full story here.

SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS OF THE WEEK

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