CRYSTAL RIVER, FL (352today.com) – Gov. Ron DeSantis continued his tour of hurricane-ravaged parts of Florida Sunday, making a stop in Crystal River.
Hurricane Idalia made landfall on Wednesday in the Big Bend region bringing with it powerful storm surge, sending several feet of water into homes and businesses in low-lying, coastal communities like Crystal River.
Around 1:30 p.m., DeSantis addressed a small group at the city’s town square which is gleefully adorned with adorable images of manatees in the form of murals, statues and sculptures.
DeSantis met with Mayor Joe Meek and other city leaders. He then took a walking tour of Citrus Avenue, the city’s downtown business district visiting St. John’s Tavern, KC Wine and Koffee Bar, and Kane’s Cattle. The city says Mayor Meek then joined the governor in his vehicle to begin checking out other parts of the city.
The windshield tour traveled north on Citrus Avenue to the Crystal River Fire Station and then on to City Hall. Other stops included The Redemption Center, a church on Three Sisters Springs Trail. There he met with Rev. Al Hopkins and several other parishioners.
The city says the governor then headed onto Kings Bay Drive and into affected neighborhoods around the waterfront where he stopped at the home of Connie and Dale Pickles, who experienced extensive flooding from Idalia.
The governor spent nearly two hours assessing the impact on the tourist town known for its manatee tours. “He saw and understood the issues Crystal River is going through, and I am grateful for his time and help in rebuilding our great City,” said Mayor Meek. “We will be stronger than ever. Let’s get to work!”