Florida Governor Ron DeSantis provided updates on the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, which has moved out of the region after causing significant damage. The governor confirmed five fatalities due to the storm, including tornado-related deaths.
“This is a tragic situation,” said DeSantis, emphasizing the severe and unpredictable nature of the tornadoes that impacted the state even before the hurricane made landfall. The governor noted extensive tornado warnings across Florida, more than he could recall for any previous storm.
DeSantis reported that the state is currently assessing damage along the east and west coasts, including storm surge impacts and wind damage throughout the Florida Peninsula. State and local rescue teams have been involved in dozens of rescues across the state, helping stabilize the situation.
Read: Hurricane Milton Leaves Path Of Destruction Across Florida, Inland Flooding Now A Major Concern
Widespread power outages are one of the biggest challenges in the wake of the storm. As of this morning, approximately 3.4 million residents were without power, and more than 700,000 homes had their power restored since the storm began.
DeSantis highlighted that, although Florida pre-staged 50,000 linemen in preparation, the demand on resources has been significant, with linemen working across multiple states due to recent storms. The state has brought in linemen from as far as California to assist with restorations.
Governor DeSantis explained that repairing downed power lines is relatively straightforward, but in areas requiring a full system rebuild, the process could take longer. He cited Hurricane Ian’s impact on Fort Myers Beach as an example, where storm surge damage prevented homes from reconnecting to the power grid quickly despite a functional substation.
Read: CNN’s Scott Jennings Says Harris’ Attack On Florida Gov. DeSantis Was ‘Huge Campaign Mistake’
State officials are also preparing to establish points of distribution for essential supplies, such as water, food, and tarps, based on requests from local counties. The reopening of stores and gas stations is expected soon, with efforts underway to assess damage to Florida’s ports, particularly on the east coast. While the Port of Tampa seems unaffected, assessments are still ongoing for other ports like Manatee.
To address fuel shortages, Florida Highway Patrol is escorting fuel tankers to gas stations across the state. DeSantis noted that high demand during evacuations, particularly in the Tampa Bay area, led to temporary fuel shortages despite adequate supply.
DeSantis commended first responders and state agencies for working tirelessly since the declaration of a state of emergency over two weeks ago in anticipation of Hurricane Helene. The state had been in recovery mode for Helene when Hurricane Milton prompted another emergency response.
He acknowledged the extensive evacuations ahead of the storm, with over 80,000 people seeking shelter and heavy traffic on major highways as residents left evacuation zones. The storm did not reach the anticipated worst-case scenario for storm surge in the Tampa Bay area, as it weakened before landfall and tracked farther south. While Sarasota, Venice, and Charlotte Harbor experienced significant surge, the feared 15-foot surge in Tampa Bay did not occur.
Read: Tampa Bay Bridges Reopen After Hurricane Milton, But Caution Urged
The governor compared the situation to Hurricane Helene, which caused up to 20 feet of storm surge in northern Florida, underscoring the seriousness of the storm. He assured that the state is well-prepared, with ample resources on hand, and that search and rescue teams will soon shift focus to restoring power and ensuring gasoline availability.
DeSantis concluded by commending everyone involved in the response, noting that while the damage is substantial, the state is well-positioned to manage the recovery and return to normalcy.
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