CEDAR KEY, FL (352 Today) — Hurricane Idalia thrashed Florida with punishing rains, wicked winds, and destructive storm surge. Instead of enjoying a long Labor Day weekend, people in storm-ravaged communities will spend the holiday dealing with the arduous process of cleaning up.

Repair efforts were in full force on the island of Cedar Key on Thursday. When Idalia blew through this week, the storm shredded homes, ripping off roofs, and turning streets into rivers.

Hannah Healey sorts through items from the Prickly Palm after Hurricane Idalia flooded streets, homes and businesses in Cedar Key, FL on Thursday, August 31, 2023. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today
Workers shovel mud out of the Prickly Palm after Hurricane Idalia flooded streets, homes and businesses in Cedar Key, FL, on Thursday, August 31, 2023. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today
Jennifer Webb cleans up furniture from 1842 Daily Grind after Hurricane Idalia flooded streets, homes and businesses in Cedar Key, FL on Thursday, August 31, 2023. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today.com
The media hung out around the most visibly damaged homes after Hurricane Idalia flooded streets, homes and businesses in Cedar Key, FL on Thursday, August 31, 2023. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today.com
Michael Laroc and Mike Beckham move out ruined fixtures and appliances in Fish Bonz after Hurricane Idalia flooded streets, homes and businesses in Cedar Key, FL on Thursday, August 31, 2023. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today.com
Michael LaRoc and others clean up outside Fish Bonz after Hurricane Idalia flooded streets, homes and businesses in Cedar Key, FL, on Thursday, August 31, 2023. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis toured the devastated area with federal emergency officials on Thursday. He said he’s seeing a lot of resiliency of people despite their heartbreaking losses.

“I look around here… there’s a lot good people doing good things – neighbors helping neighbors,” said Kevin Guthrie, Executive Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management at a news conference with the governor during a stop in Steinhatchee.

President Joe Biden announced that he will come to Florida on Saturday to see the damage himself.

The governor stated that President Biden has approved the state’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration for Hurricane Idalia. That allows for the reimbursement of debris removal and authorizes individual assistance for those impacted by the storm in seven counties: Citrus, Dixie, Hamilton, Lafayette, Levy, Suwannee, and Taylor. The governor requested the Major Disaster Declaration for 25 counties and additional counties may be approved in the coming days after damage assessments are completed.

Additionally, the governor said millions of dollars have already been raised through Florida’s Disaster Fund. The Fund was established to assist communities as they respond to and recover during times of emergency. Money is funneled to service organizations that serve individuals within their communities with disaster response and recovery.

Donations are tax-deductible and the Disaster Fund website says 100% of every donation is used to help Floridians recover. You can donate to the fund here.

The governor encouraged donations saying it will make a big difference for people in this time of need.