Biden Announces $612 Million in Recovery Aid for Hurricane-Ravaged Florida

President Joe Biden announced a $612 million package in recovery aid for areas devastated by Hurricanes Milton and Helene during a visit to Florida on Sunday, Bloomberg reports.

The announcement came as Biden surveyed the damage caused by Milton, which he estimated could cost around $50 billion.

“This funding will not only restore power, but will make the region’s power system stronger and more capable and reduce the frequency and duration of power outages while extreme weather events become more frequent,” Biden said during a stop in St. Pete Beach.

The $612 million will be allocated to six Department of Energy projects aimed at bolstering the region’s electric grid. This includes $47 million for Gainesville Regional Utilities and another $47 million for Switched Source in partnership with Florida Power & Light.

Biden’s trip to Florida, alongside Vice President Kamala Harris’ visit to North Carolina, represents a concerted effort to assure voters of the administration’s comprehensive disaster response. Both visits come as the administration seeks to counter claims made by former President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, who alleges inadequate disaster relief efforts.

Hurricane Milton struck Florida just weeks after Hurricane Helene caused widespread damage across the southeastern US, leaving the state grappling with the aftermath of both storms.