Jim Turner - News Service of Florida

Dana Young, who oversaw the state's tourism-marketing efforts, represented parts of Hillsborough County in the House from 2010 to 2016 and in the Senate from 2016 to 2018.

Valdes, elected to the House four times as a Democrat, wrote that she didn’t expect to agree with “fellow Republicans” on every issue, but “that in their caucus, I will be welcomed and treated with respect.”

The season, which ends Nov. 30, produced 18 named storms, including 11 turbocharged hurricanes along with Helene and Milton, which devastated the Tampa Bay area.

Shawn Hamilton's decision comes after Gov. Ron DeSantis and the department drew criticism in August about a proposal to put golf courses, resort-style lodges and pickleball courts in state parks. State official Alexis Lambert takes over.

It's estimated Milton caused between $1.5 billion and $2.5 billion in damages on top of more than $1.5 billion from Idalia, Debby and Helene.

Outgoing Senate President says "a whole new philosophy of reconstruction and resilience and resiliency in our state" will need to be discussed when lawmakers meet in March.

He said the state doesn't have a gas shortage as lines formed and ran out amid the large number of people evacuating.

Incoming Senate President Ben Albritton, a Wauchula Republican and citrus grower, said the conditions are worse than Hurricane Idalia, which resulted in $400 million in damage to the industry.

State Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie implored people not involved in recovery efforts to stay off the roads as authorities conducted search-and-rescue efforts amid debris and dissipating storm surge.

A state official said workers are remaining at jobs longer than they did a few years ago.