Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, alongside Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) Director Kevin Guthrie and Major General John D. Haas, provided updates from fuel distribution sites in Plant City and Bradenton as Florida continues its recovery from Hurricane Milton.
As of this afternoon, about 1.4 million Floridians remain without power, though 2.6 million accounts have been restored. The state has also secured a federal disaster declaration, which provides Individual and Public Assistance for 35 counties, offering crucial relief for impacted residents.
READ: Florida Residents Can Apply For FEMA Aid After Hurricanes Helene And Milton
Ongoing Recovery Operations
- Rescue Operations: Since the hurricane’s landfall, Urban Search and Rescue teams, along with the Florida National Guard, have rescued nearly 1,400 individuals and over 140 animals.
- Fuel Distribution: Public fuel depot locations have been opened in Hillsborough, Manatee, and Pinellas counties to help residents refuel as they return home. Over 1.8 million gallons of diesel and 1 million gallons of gas are available to support recovery efforts.
- Points of Distribution (PODs): Nearly 20 PODs are operating in affected counties, distributing essential supplies.
Federal and State Support
Governor DeSantis announced FEMA’s approval of Individual and Public Assistance, which will help residents and local governments recover from the storm. Impacted residents can apply for aid at DisasterAssistance.gov.
Additionally, the state has partnered with Lyft to offer free rides for residents returning home from shelters using the code MILTONRELIEF24.
READ: Florida Receives Major Disaster Declaration After Hurricane Milton
Health and Safety Measures
The Florida Department of Health (DOH) has deployed nearly 600 emergency response vehicles and opened special needs shelters across multiple counties. The Department has also issued boil water notices in various locations due to water safety concerns, while power restoration is underway at key healthcare facilities.
Ongoing Clean-up and Infrastructure Efforts
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has cleared over 12,000 miles of roads and continues debris removal. FDOT bridge inspections have cleared more than 2,400 bridges, and the department has lifted tolls to help with traffic flow during evacuations.
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