Welcome back to State of Emergency on Grist, where we bring you the latest updates on Hurricane Helene’s aftermath. Our reporters, Jake Bittle and Ayurella Horn-Muller, have been on the ground in Florida’s Gulf Coast, witnessing the devastation caused by the storm. Governor Ron DeSantis has been at the forefront of the disaster response, facing the strongest hurricane on record in the Big Bend region. As DeSantis navigates this crisis, his handling of the situation could impact his future political aspirations. Stay tuned for more updates on the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in Florida and North Carolina.