Governor Ron DeSantis provided an important update today on Florida’s ongoing preparedness efforts ahead of Hurricane Milton. Speaking from the State Emergency Operations Center, DeSantis urged Floridians to remain vigilant as the storm approaches, with landfall now expected later this week.
“Hurricane Milton has the potential to cause significant damage along the Florida Gulf Coast, and we are urging everyone to finalize their preparations,” said Governor DeSantis. He also emphasized the uncertainty surrounding the exact timing of landfall, noting that “while the eye of the storm is expected to make landfall late Wednesday or early Thursday, impacts such as storm surges and wind could be felt much earlier.”
Read: Early Prescription Refills Available In Florida Under Hurricane Milton State Of Emergency
State of Emergency and Disaster Preparations
A state of emergency has already been declared for 51 counties under Executive Order 24-215, which was amended from an earlier order to include more regions. The order ensures that all disaster debris management sites and landfills will remain open 24/7 to aid in the cleanup of debris left behind by Hurricane Helene, which struck the Gulf Coast weeks earlier.
“We’ve marshaled state assets to help remove debris from Hurricane Helene ahead of Hurricane Milton’s landfall,” DeSantis said. “This leftover debris poses a huge hazard in the event of another major storm.”
The governor also confirmed that a pre-landfall declaration request has been sent to FEMA to assist with federal resources and that “we anticipate positive approval on that soon.”
Storm Surge and Hurricane Warnings
As of 5 p.m. ET, Hurricane Milton, now a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph, is about 745 miles west-southwest of Tampa. A storm surge watch has been issued for the Florida Gulf Coast from Monroe County northward to the Suwannee River, with potential peak storm surge ranging from 8 to 12 feet in Northern Pinellas County to Charlotte, including Tampa Bay. Lower storm surge estimates of 5 to 10 feet are expected from other regions.
Read: Tampa International Airport To Suspend Operations Due To Hurricane Milton
Hurricane watches have been issued for portions of West Central Florida and the Nature Coast, while tropical storm watches are in effect for parts of Southwest Florida, the Florida Keys, and portions of the Florida Panhandle.
State Resource Mobilization
Governor DeSantis outlined the extensive resources being deployed across the state ahead of Milton’s arrival. “We’re coordinating over 450 missions to support counties, including staging trucks of food and water for distribution, deploying over 2,000 feet of flood protection systems, and prioritizing critical infrastructure,” he said.
Some key deployments include:
- Flood barriers placed around fire stations in Bradenton, hospitals in Kissimmee, and community resource centers in Hernando County.
- Generators have been deployed to special needs shelters, and Starlink Internet access is available in all counties to ensure connectivity during the storm.
- Fuel reserves of over 415,000 gallons of diesel and 389,000 gallons of gasoline have been pre-positioned, with an additional 1.5 million gallons en route.
DeSantis emphasized that “there has been no interruption in fuel deliveries at Florida ports.”
READ: Hurricane Milton Strengthens, Watches And Warnings Issued For Florida And Mexico
Debris Removal Efforts Ramp Up
A significant focus has been placed on debris removal, especially in areas already hit hard by Hurricane Helene. “We are working 24/7 to remove debris across the Gulf Coast,” the governor said.
Over 500 truckloads of debris, totaling 9,000 cubic yards, have already been removed in Pinellas County alone in the past 24 hours, with over 200 state assets assisting in the effort. “We can’t afford to let bureaucracy slow us down,” DeSantis remarked, referencing a situation where the Florida Highway Patrol had to open a locked debris gate to allow waiting trucks to deposit debris.
READ: Hurricane Milton Now A Massive Category 4 Storm, Winds Of 150 MPH As It Eyes Florida
National Guard and First Responder Preparations
The Florida National Guard has 5,000 Guardsmen mobilized, with another 3,000 Guardsmen ready to deploy before landfall. The National Guard will also be deploying heavy equipment, including dump trucks, high-water vehicles, and front-end loaders, to assist with debris removal and post-storm recovery efforts.
Power Restoration Preparations
Given the storm’s projected path across Central Florida and the Florida Peninsula, significant power outages are expected. “We’re working closely with utility companies to ensure linemen and restoration crews are in place and ready to restore power as soon as it’s safe,” said DeSantis.
“We’ve been effective in previous storms, such as Hurricane Helene, but we anticipate a larger number of outages this time due to Milton’s potential strength,” he added.
Evacuations and Shelter Information
The governor also reminded residents in low-lying and coastal areas to prepare for evacuations. “There’s no need to evacuate hundreds of miles,” he said. “Every county has safe zones, and shelters will open as needed.”
Starting at 10:30 a.m. Monday, tolls will be suspended in the western part of Central Florida and Alligator Alley to facilitate evacuations.
Final Preparations
Governor DeSantis urged Floridians to execute their hurricane preparedness plans without delay. “You still have time today and tomorrow to prepare, but do it soon,” he said, adding that shelters, sandbag locations, and evacuation updates can be found on county websites and at FloridaDisaster.org.
As Florida braces for Hurricane Milton, DeSantis emphasized the state’s readiness. “We are prepared, and we have the resources in place to protect our communities and respond immediately after the storm.”
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.