Florida News That Impacts You – October 3rd, 2022
Bottom Line: Your daily recap of the biggest news from around the state that impacts you in South Florida. Gas prices continued lower through the weekend.
- Florida’s death toll in the wake of Hurricane Ian has risen to 76. Entering Monday 689,000 homes were still without power, current estimates suggest power will be restored to 95% of customers by week’s end. Current damage assessment suggests Ian could be the most expensive hurricane rebuild in Florida’s history. FEMA assistance is available to victims in 17 counties across the state.
- Joining Xfinity and Charter Communications in offering free Wi-Fi hotspots in Ian impacted areas, is a first in Florida. SpaceX. 30 SpaceX Starlink units are providing free WI-FI to impacted Floridians. The Starlink units pull in internet service provided by SpaceX’s Starlink satellites. Elon Musk has donated the entire cost of the operation.
- As a result of Florida’s gas tax holiday kicking in on Saturday and running through the 31st, Florida’s gas prices are currently averaging $3.22 per gallon, 16 cents cheaper than a week ago. In Southeast Florida prices range from an average low of $3.24 per gallon in Broward to a high of $3.43 per gallon in the Palm Beaches.
- Entering this week Florida’s weekly trend for daily COVID-19 cases is near a six month low of 1,566 – the lowest since April 5th. It is likely the figures are heavily influenced by the effects of Hurricane Ian. The state averaged about seven hundred additional daily cases prior to the impact of the hurricane.