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Biden arrives in Florida to survey Hurricane Helene damage

By James Tutten, WFTV.com
By James Tutten, WFTV.com

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — President Joe Biden traveled to Perry, Florida on Thursday to see the impacts of Hurricane Helene.

▶ WATCH BIDEN’S ARRIVAL LIVE HERE

Helene made landfall near Perry last week as a devastating Category 4 hurricane.

The estimated insured losses in Florida have already reached nearly $657 million.

Read: Hurricane Helene recovery: How you can help

Reports claim at least 191 people in six states have died, including 19 in Florida.

More than 2 million customers were left without power when the storm hit.

Watch: Helene aftermath: Florida energy companies send crews to help stranded communities

A week later, nearly 20,000 people are still in the dark in the Sunshine State.

Gov. Ron DeSantis commended the efforts to get the lights back on during a press conference on Wednesday.

See: TIMELINE: Hurricane Helene makes landfall in Florida

“That’s really, really impressive. I mean, I think people who have lived through some of these storms in the past, you’d have, even more modest storms, people would be out a couple weeks sometimes,” DeSantis said.

DeSantis said the state will continue to send reinforcements to help survivors in the Big Bend, including shower trailers, forklifts, and oxygen machines.

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Hurricane Helene Hits Gulf Coast Of Florida ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 2: A capsized boat washes ashore as Hurricane Helene churns offshore on September 26, 2024 in St. Peteersburg Florida. Already a Category 3 storm, Helene was expected to gain further strength before making landfall this evening on Florida’s northwestern coast. Flash flood warnings extend to northern Georgia and western North Carolina. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Channel 9 will have a crew covering the president’s visit and will provide updates on Eyewitness News.

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