Florida’s Gov. Ron DeSantis and California’s Gov. Gavin Newsom have mixed it up on various occasions as to whose state is better governed.
Read more October 7 and the Aftermath
Now that two hurricanes are hitting each state at the same time, it’s time for those claims about response management to be inspected side by side.
Here we have Florida, whose panhandle was beset by Category 2 Hurricane Isaias:
🇺🇸🌀Breaking: Hurricane #Isaias strikes Dustin, #Florida with 100MPH+ wind gust🌀 Severe flooding in Coastal areas🌀 Video before the landfall🌀 https://t.co/hJhwQF1sSy
— World_Breaking_News03 (@Breaking2003) October 10, 2026
(That’s Destin, pal. You’re in the news trade, act like it.)
Governor Ron DeSantis Provides Update on Hurricane Isaias Response Efforts https://t.co/w8eD22Rm3c
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) October 10, 2026
Governor Ron DeSantis says protect your pets during Hurricane Isaias. If you need to evacuate there are plenty of pet friendly hurricane shelters around. Don’t leave your pets behind! @GovRonDeSantis @RonDeSantis https://t.co/eo78AY0OT2
— Blaise Ingoglia (@GovGoneWild) October 9, 2026
🚨 BREAKING: Gov. Ron DeSantis just dropped this CHILLING LINE on looters preparing to raid Floridians after Hurricane Isaias “Looters, you DON’T want to do it in Florida — you *DEFINITELY* don’t want to do it in the PANHANDLE.” “You never know what may be on the OTHER SIDE OF THAT DOOR…” 🔥 The 2A is ALIVE AND WELL in Florida! “People have a right to protect themselves and defend their property. And I know all of those law and order sheriffs, the police chiefs of that area will have zero tolerance for that.” Florida has Stand Your Ground and Castle Doctrine. Break into a home here and you’re taking your chances on your LIFE. FL also made looting during a declared emergency a tougher felony years ago Criminals are cooked here! The PANHANDLE is one of the WORST areas you could try.
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) October 9, 2026
40 Cut and Toss teams cleared and opened I-10 and U.S. 98 by 6 a.m. FDOT’s Cut and Toss crews are actively clearing arterial roadways for emergency responders, utility restoration, and supplies. https://t.co/TbtslID08X
— FLORIDA DOT (@MyFDOT) October 10, 2026
Florida National Guard Soldiers with B Co., 53rd Brigade Support Battalion, hit the ground running at 5:50 a.m. Oct. 10, clearing roadways in Washington County following Hurricane Isaias. Ready to serve when Florida needs us most. @USNationalGuard https://t.co/vH72Z4rklG
— FloridaNationalGuard (@FLGuard) October 10, 2026
Your State Troopers have been actively supporting response and recovery efforts to Hurricane #Isaias, clearing roadways, escorting critical supplies, and assisting utility restoration crews since 2AM. Always on. Always ready. #FHP #hurricaneisaias #Florida #StateTrooper https://t.co/NkfZsOh85X
— FLHSMV (@FLHSMV) October 10, 2026
The State of Florida requested federal pre-landfall support for Hurricane Isaias to make sure every available resource warnis deployed for preparedness & response. Read my & @SenAshleyMoody’s letter in support to @POTUS ⬇️ https://t.co/5nXjXMBGKQ
— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) October 9, 2026
We see leadership and communication from De Santis, weeks of preparation including securing federal resources, helpful pointers on how to protect pets, and credible warnings to potential looters of severe consequences.
There’s also California, which is dealing with Hurricane Rachel, which has been downgraded to Tropical Storm Rachel, but which is reportedly gaining strength again and could become Hurricane Rachel again. It’s supposed to hit San Diego square on, but as of this writing, we haven’t seen a drop of rain or even significant wind. Other areas north of us, though, have had coastal floodings:
Read more France’s Slow-Motion Collapse
🚨🇺🇸 #CALIFORNIA UNDER SIEGE! STORM RACHEL TRIGGERS COASTAL CHAOS! KNEE-DEEP FLOODWATERS swallow Newport Beach streets as massive waves SLAM the coastline! Long Beach boardwalks ripped apart — one home reportedly on the brink of collapse! 🚨 Emergency declared! #StormRachel https://t.co/mJ9l1YYTOs
— GlobeUpdate (@Globupdate) October 10, 2026
Newsom put out this boilerplate message:
As Tropical Storm Rachel approaches, state agencies are working closely with local responders to protect communities and prepare for impacts. Stay safe and adhere to guidance and directions from local officials.
— Governor Gavin Newsom (@CAgovernor) October 10, 2026
Oh, and the very talkative Governor Newsom Press Office? Not a word.
Now, our California former hurricane turned tropical storm isn’t nearly as severe as Florida’s. But for us, it’s only the second time since records have been kept that it’s been known to have happened at all.
Do we see much preparation? Don’t think so.
Everyone who lives in Newport Beach, or who has visited, knows that the Balboa corridor is on a very low-lying spit of man-made land that floods often:
current view in newport beach – the balboa peninsula is flooded https://t.co/fC2qFAyqXA
— nunu (@nushhhhhhhh) October 9, 2026
There doesn’t appear to have been much of any preparation to defend it, despite what everyone knew. So they got this:
Ocean water is flooding streets and properties on Newport Beach’s Balboa Peninsula as elevated tides bring coastal flooding to the area. City officials are urging residents and visitors to avoid the peninsula as crews respond to the flooding. https://t.co/wbn1TfTRkq
— KTLA (@KTLA) October 9, 2026
My girlfriend sent me this video of the flooding on the Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach. Yikes! She said high tide is at 9:00 am there – 30 minutes from now. 🙏🙏🙏 https://t.co/WOEsiszILu
— Shannon Hill (@ShannonMFHill) October 10, 2026
And instead of focusing on disaster prevention, Democrats talk about climate change:
Deciding not to talk about climate change anymore doesn’t make it go away.
— Ben Rhodes (@brhodes) October 9, 2026
🚨 Newport Beach flooding blamed on climate change. Again. 1939: Massive storm waves destroyed much of Balboa Pier and Newport Pier. 1983: Major El Niño storms caused severe coastal flooding. This has happened before. El Niño, powerful ocean swells, and astronomical tides have driven coastal flooding for centuries. New and full moons can amplify high tides. Perhaps after we solve climate change, we can tackle the Moon’s alignment with the Sun and Earth.
— Dr. Matthew M. Wielicki (@MatthewWielicki) October 10, 2026
Or how to blame Trump.
Newsom will be on this tack — just wait for it.
The California storm hits this evening and hits its peak on Sunday, and most of us are just happy to get some rain. But there will be disaster areas, and we can be pretty sure the response won’t be like Florida’s. The final side-by-side comparison of the two disaster responses will tell the final story about the difference between red and blue governance.
Read more Pax Americana on the Seas
All we have to do is wait for itt.
Image: X video screenshot