Biden to survey Hurricane Helene damage in Florida

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — President Joe Biden is expected to travel to Tallahassee on Thursday to see the impacts of Hurricane Helene in Florida.

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Helene made landfall last week as a devastating Category 4 hurricane in the Big Bend area of Florida.

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.

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)

Hurricane Helene Hits Gulf Coast Of Florida ST PETE BEACH, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 26: Waves from the Gulf of Mexico crash on shore as Hurricane Helene churns offshore on September 26, 2024 in St. Pete Beach, Florida. Later today, Helene is forecast to become a major hurricane, bringing the potential for deadly storm surges, flooding rain, and destructive hurricane-force winds along parts of the Florida West Coast. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Hurricane Helene Hits Gulf Coast Of Florida TREASURE ISLAND, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 28: Boats are piled up in front of homes after Hurricane Helene hit the area as it passed offshore on September 28, 2024 in Treasure Island, Florida. Hurricane Helene made landfall Thursday night in Florida's Big Bend with winds up to 140 mph and storm surges that killed at least 42 people in several states. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Hurricane Helene Hits Gulf Coast Of Florida TREASURE ISLAND, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 28: Trees and debris lay on the beach as people walk after Hurricane Helene hit the area with high surge waters as it passed offshore on September 28, 2024 in Treasure Island, Florida. Hurricane Helene made landfall Thursday night in Florida's Big Bend with winds up to 140 mph and storm surges that killed at least 42 people in several states. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Hurricane Helene Hits Gulf Coast Of Florida TREASURE ISLAND, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 28: A boat lays on the shoreline after Hurricane Helene hit the area with high surge waters as it passed offshore on September 28, 2024 in Treasure Island, Florida. Hurricane Helene made landfall Thursday night in Florida's Big Bend with winds up to 140 mph and storm surges that killed at least 42 people in several states. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Hurricane Helene Hits Gulf Coast Of Florida TREASURE ISLAND, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 28: In this aerial view, workers clear the roads of sand and debris after Hurricane Helene hit the area with high surge waters as it passed offshore on September 28, 2024 in Treasure Island, Florida. Hurricane Helene made landfall Thursday night in Florida's Big Bend with winds up to 140 mph and storm surges that killed at least 42 people in several states. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Hurricane Helene Hits Gulf Coast Of Florida TARPON SPRINGS, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 27: Flood waters inundate the main street after Hurricane Helene passed offshore on September 27, 2024 in Tarpon Springs, Florida. Hurricane Helene made landfall Thursday night in Florida's Big Bend with winds up to 140 mph and storm surges. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Hurricane Helene Hits Gulf Coast Of Florida TREASURE ISLAND, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 28: In this aerial view, boats are piled up in front of homes after Hurricane Helene hit the area as it passed offshore on September 28, 2024 in Treasure Island, Florida. Hurricane Helene made landfall Thursday night in Florida's Big Bend with winds up to 140 mph and storm surges that killed at least 42 people in several states. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Hurricane Helene Hits Gulf Coast Of Florida CRYSTAL RIVER, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 27: In this aerial view, flood waters inundate the main street after Hurricane Helene passed offshore on September 27, 2024 in Crystal River, Florida. Hurricane Helene made landfall Thursday night in Florida's Big Bend with winds up to 140 mph and storm surges. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Hurricane Helene Hits Gulf Coast Of Florida CRYSTAL RIVER, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 27: In this aerial view, power crews work on the lines after Hurricane Helene passed offshore on September 27, 2024 in Crystal River, Florida. Hurricane Helene made landfall Thursday night in Florida's Big Bend with winds up to 140 mph and storm surges. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Hurricane Helene Hits Gulf Coast Of Florida CRYSTAL RIVER, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 27: In this aerial view, vehicles drive through flood waters after Hurricane Helene hit the area as it passed offshore on September 27, 2024 in Crystal River, Florida. Hurricane Helene made landfall Thursday night in Florida's Big Bend with winds up to 140 mph and storm surges. (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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