Washington, D.C.— Today, U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) President Miami Mayor Francis Suarez toured the destruction across Florida’s gulf coast. In the wake of Hurricane Ian, Suarez traveled up and down the coast to assess the damage, and continued to communicate with fellow mayors to understand their needs as they lead their cities through this crisis. Suarez has spoken with a number of mayors, including the Mayors of Tampa, Clearwater, Sarasota, St Petersburg, Naples, and Sanibel. After viewing the damage firsthand, Mayor Suarez released the following statement.
“I have been in contact with mayors whose cities have been hit hardest, and the U.S. Conference of Mayors will ensure that they get the resources that they need to help their communities. These mayors are coordinating local response, including urban search and rescue teams and other emergency preparation and response efforts.
“Mayors will be supporting each other, providing assistance as these cities continue to assess the damage and impact of Hurricane Ian. Any mayor knows that one day they could face similar crises, and it is in times like these that the strength of our work together can usher us through the hardships our communities face. It will take time, but these cities and their people will recover. For now, we offer what we can to begin the process of rebuilding and ensure our fellow mayors have the aid they need.”