Governor Ron DeSantis, alongside Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) Executive Director Kevin Guthrie, Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Secretary Jared Perdue, and Major General John D. Haas, provided updates on the ongoing response and recovery efforts following Hurricane Milton. The briefing took place in Treasure Island, highlighting the state’s concerted efforts to aid storm-hit areas.
First Lady Casey DeSantis also joined the governor, visiting a Hope Bus and a Point of Distribution site at New College of Florida in Sarasota, emphasizing the state’s commitment to relief and support for affected residents.
READ: NHC Update: New Tropical Depression Could Form In Atlantic
Key Recovery Initiatives:
- Debris Removal Efforts:
- Governor DeSantis announced the mobilization of over 2,800 personnel from state agencies, including FDOT, Florida State Guard, and Urban Search & Rescue teams, to support debris removal efforts.
- FDOT has been tasked with assisting rural, fiscally constrained counties to expedite debris removal. The state has also lifted several regulations to speed up the process, including fast-tracking permits for debris management sites and waiving size and weight restrictions for debris removal vehicles.
- Transparency in Recovery:
- The state has launched the Debris Transparency Portal to provide real-time updates on the debris removal progress across affected counties.
- Federal Disaster Relief:
- Governor DeSantis confirmed that Florida secured a major disaster declaration from FEMA. This declaration offers Individual and Public Assistance to help residents and local governments in 35 counties affected by the storm.
- Fuel and Supply Distribution:
- FDEM has coordinated the opening of multiple public fuel distribution sites across impacted areas, ensuring residents have access to essential supplies. Additionally, the state partnered with Lyft to offer free rides to residents returning home from shelters.
- Search and Rescue Operations:
- In the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, rescue teams have saved nearly 1,800 individuals and over 225 animals. FWC officers, the Florida National Guard, and the Special Missions Unit continue to conduct search, rescue, and recovery operations, particularly in flood-affected areas.
- Power Restoration:
- As of the latest update, approximately 496,792 Floridians remain without power, but over 3.5 million accounts have been restored.
READ: Possible Sinkhole Closes Intersection In St. Petersburg: Pinellas County Sheriff
The governor emphasized that the state will continue to provide full support to local governments and residents as the recovery process progresses. Residents can stay informed about hurricane recovery resources by visiting FloridaDisaster.org.
For assistance, residents can call the State Assistance Information Line, which is available 24/7 in English, Spanish, and Haitian-Creole, at 1-800-342-3557.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Android Users: Download our free app to stay up-to-date on the latest news.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.