Governor Ron Desantis came to Cross City late Friday afternoon with a check for more than $10 million. Governor Desantis says $2.7 million, in the new state budget, will go towards storm-water and flood mitigation projects. The rest of the money is to build two new fire stations.
“These projects will provide necessary emergency support for residents and protect their homes and businesses during a disaster," The Governor said.
The Public Information Officer for Dixie County Emergency Services says the money will be put to good use.
"It's going to go directly to the flooding and the drainage to help with the infrastructure, the drainage for the county, which is is very much needed, especially with the influx of people moving in," Mandy Lemmermen said.
For months, CBS4 has been sharing stories from Dixie County, with people pleading for help.
On September 9th, 2021 CBS4 shared the story of Janet and Michael Mclaurin. They said floodwaters turned their home into an island.
"I have called several county offices including the emergency management office, I’ve emailed Governor DeSantis everyday since Sept. 5th and sent photos." Janet told us, in September, 2021.
In October, 2021 CBS4 shared Mary Goodrich's story. She said her home was unlivable.
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“Hopefully we’ll have drinking water soon, and we won’t have to purchase it because that’s one of the biggest expenses right now," Goodrich told CBS4 in October, 2021.
She continued to experience flooding problems as recently as March.
“The dry spell that we had for us was only about two months,” Goodrich said, on March 23rd.
While resident blamed county leaders, a Dixie County Commissioner made a public plea for help on CBS4.
"Call somebody, tell them to help us," Dixie County Commissioner Jody Stephenson said, in late September. At the time, Representative Chuck Clemmons said the situation was not bad enough for the Governor to declare a state of emergency, but he did say he was trying to help.
Clemmons appears alongside Governor Desantis Friday.
"This makes Good Friday great Friday," Rep. Clemons said.
CBS4 wanted to ask the Governor why the help was coming now, but he left Cross City without answering any questions.