In Hurricane Ian’s wake, federal and state leaders ramp up relief

Reconstruction of areas devastated by Hurricane Ian will be a lengthy, difficult, and expensive job – and a test of leadership at all levels of American government, from the White House to statehouses and county seats.

Hurricane relief is a task that can define top officials’ tenures. In 2005 halting responses to Hurricane Katrina put President George W. Bush, Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco, and New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin under intense scrutiny. In 2012, a hands-on approach to recovery from Superstorm Sandy made New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie the most popular Republican in the country, for a time.

In part, that response is because people need help, not words, following natural disasters. They are looking