WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis announced a major plan on Tuesday to help Hurricane Dorian victims in the Bahamas.
Speaking at Florida Power and Light's Command Center in West Palm Beach, the governor said Florida and FPL are sending 19 semi trucks filled with pallets of water to Nassau to be distributed to storm victims throughout the islands.
"This is water that we had stockpiled for a storm," said Gov. DeSantis. "We felt comfortable that we could give some of the water, given the acute needs in the Bahamas, and then still be in a position to backfill if we're unfortunately hit with a storm."
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Officials with the the Florida Division of Emergency Management said that donation equates to more than 500,000 bottles of water.
"Clean drinking water is the first step," said Jared Moskowitz, the Director of the Division of Emergency Management. "This is the largest charitable the Division of Emergency Management has ever been involved in."
In addition, the governor said that to date, Florida businesses have pledged or given $11 million worth of donations, supplies, and services to the Bahamas, including Publix, Delta Air Lines, and Tropical Shipping.
"That really shows you how Floridians respond to things," said Gov. DeSantis. "Part of it is, we do have a good relationship with the Bahamas, but part of it is that's just how people are and they want to help."
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Following calls from U.S. senators for aid and many private donation efforts, Gov. DeSantis said last week the state will likely join the push to send help,offering supplies to the Bahamas.
A convoy of 19 trucks filled with water is leaving FPL headquarters for the @PortofPalmBeach. The water will be sent to the #Bahamas, and @GovRonDeSantis says it will be shipped to Nassau and then distributed out. The Governor says more than $11 million is also on the way. @WPTV pic.twitter.com/5wLkhTzF7S
— Ryan Hughes (@HughesWPTV) September 10, 2019