In light of the impending Hurricane Milton, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency, expanding it to encompass 51 counties.
The announcement follows weeks of recovery efforts from Hurricane Helene, which recently devastated the state. Governor DeSantis emphasized that the emergency declaration can streamline resource mobilization and coordinate better responses to Hurricane Milton.
Residents are urged to finalize their storm preparations as winds are forecasted to strengthen. Governor DeSantis reminded Floridians that thorough preparation is critical. “Everyone should have a hurricane preparedness plan, including sufficient water and food supplies,” he said. Many areas still clearing debris from Hurricane Helene are now tasked with preemptive measures against potential flooding and power outages anticipated with Milton’s landfall.
Governor Ron DeSantis, joined by Kevin Guthrie, the Director of Florida’s Division of Emergency Management, addressed the public ahead of Tropical Storm Milton’s expected landfall. DeSantis emphasized that residents have time to prepare. “You do have time to prepare. The storm is not going to come today or tomorrow, or likely on Tuesday as well,” he said. “So we’re looking at more the middle of the week. You have time to do what you need to do, but this could potentially be a major hurricane. No matter what happens, it is going to have impacts to the state of Florida.”
You can watch the whole conference below on Ron DeSantis’ X post, “Governor DeSantis Provides Update on Tropical Storm Milton and Disaster Preparedness”.
Governor DeSantis Provides Update on Tropical Storm Milton and Disaster Preparedness https://t.co/FMuk5RLlYH
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) October 6, 2024
Speaking from the State Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee before 10 a.m. on Sunday, DeSantis noted that the storm’s current projected path is toward Madeira Beach in Pinellas County but cautioned that the models could shift. “The current track has it coming along shore at Madeira Beach and Pinellas County, but these models obviously can shift in the intervening time,” he said. “So anybody on the west coast of Florida, up and down the Florida peninsula, you have potential for major impacts, including really, really significant storm surge.”
One of the primary concerns is the lingering damage from Hurricane Helene, which struck the Gulf Coast in late September. “A lot of people, particularly on the west coast of Florida, saw major storm surge and major damage to a lot of businesses and residents, creating a lot of debris,” DeSantis said. “Local governments have been working on it, but we understand this debris creates a hazard if we get another storm in that area.”
To combat this issue, DeSantis issued a state order keeping debris landfill sites open 24 hours. “All assets that can help with debris removal are being marshaled,” he said. The governor noted that assets deployed to North Carolina after Helene are returning to Florida to assist ahead of Milton.
DeSantis also warned of the likelihood of widespread power outages, stating, “That is just something that I think people should prepare for. We already have a lot of crews coming into the state of Florida. They’re going to be staged in different parts of the state and will be going out as soon as the storm passes. But this is something that potentially could cause greater power outages than what we saw with Hurricane Helene.”
Encouraging Floridians to take action, DeSantis said, “Put your hurricane preparedness plan in place, make sure your gas tanks are filled, have enough water and non-perishable food for as long as the power may be out, and clear up loose objects in your yard.” He also warned of potential evacuations, especially for those on the barrier islands that were recently hit hard by Helene’s deadly storm surge. “If you’re on that West Coast of Florida and barrier islands, just assume that you likely are going to be called upon to evacuate,” DeSantis said.
Particularly, Tampa Bay is vulnerable to storm surge. “A storm that ventures in south of Tampa Bay can suck the water out, but a direct hit or a hit to the north can be devastating. There’s going to be water cascading into Tampa Bay, and that’s going to create the more extreme surge elements,” DeSantis explained.
Though the system isn’t expected to generate the 20-foot storm surges seen with Helene, it still presents life-threatening risks. “Even if you’re not in the cone, as it gets closer, there’s going to be significant surge that goes outside the cone,” he warned.
The governor expanded his state of emergency declaration from 34 counties to 51, adding areas such as Brevard, Hillsborough, Miami-Dade, and Sarasota. He also announced plans to submit a pre-landfall request for federal emergency assistance from FEMA.
Kevin Guthrie confirmed that emergency teams have been preparing for weeks, as long-range forecasts hinted at this scenario. “We are preparing for the largest evacuation we’ve seen since 2017’s Hurricane Irma,” Guthrie said. However, he suggested that individuals inland, who are not dependent on power and live in structures built to state codes, may be better off staying in place.
Guthrie also mentioned the deployment of Road Rangers, emergency fuel stations, and EV charging stations along evacuation routes. He reassured Floridians, “The state emergency response team is ready. We’re prepared, and we’ve worked through every contingency.”
DeSantis strongly emphasized the dangers of storm surge, urging residents to heed evacuation orders if issued. “Heed that call. Even in a major hurricane, you may be able to hunker down and get through the wind, but with storm surge, it’s Mother Nature, and you’re not going to win that,” he said. He warned that Milton could produce even more storm surge than Helene if it tracks farther south.
As of the NHC’s 8 a.m. Sunday advisory, Tropical Storm Milton had sustained winds of 60 mph, moving east at 5 mph, and was located about 860 miles west-southwest of Tampa. The NHC expects Milton to strengthen into a hurricane by Sunday night or early Monday, and possibly a major hurricane by Tuesday, with sustained winds of 120 mph and gusts up to 150 mph by the time it makes landfall along Florida’s Gulf Coast on Wednesday.
The NHC also noted that the risk of “life-threatening impacts” is increasing for Florida’s west coast.
These are warnings for both residents and tourists who may be in town visiting Walt Disney World or Universal Orlando Resort- both of which are on the storm’s path.
Current Status of Hurricane Milton
Tropical Storm Milton, currently with sustained winds of 60 mph, is forecasted to escalate to hurricane status rapidly. The National Hurricane Center has predicted that Milton could make landfall as a Category 3 hurricane, with wind speeds reaching up to 120 mph. Projections indicate that the storm’s path will take it between Cedar Key and Naples, affecting significant areas along Florida’s west coast, including Tampa Bay.
Meteorologists have noted the storm’s potential for rapid intensification due to warm sea-surface temperatures and low vertical wind shear. Governor DeSantis warned of the severe impacts, stating that the storm could bring life-threatening hazards to Florida’s coastline. The forecast anticipates that Miami, Orlando, and Tampa may receive rainfall from four to eight inches, with some regions projected to encounter exceeding 10 inches.
Community Readiness and Evacuations
In anticipation of Hurricane Milton, local authorities are preparing for possible mandatory evacuations, particularly in flood-prone areas. Governor DeSantis has indicated that residents should be ready for both voluntary and mandatory evacuation orders, especially in low-lying zones. Alongside the evacuations, the state has set up sandbag distribution sites to bolster community flood defenses.
Kevin Guthrie, the Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, reinforced the urgency of preparedness. “We are preparing for the largest evacuation since Hurricane Ian,” he stated, encouraging residents to secure their homes and be ready to move to safer locations if necessary.
Impacts on Tourism and Attractions
With Hurricane Milton threatening Florida, significant ripple effects on tourism are evident. Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando have begun adjusting their operations in response to the storm. Disney has temporarily halted hotel reservations in anticipation of potential evacuations, while both theme parks are on alert for possible storm-related closures.
As guests and residents prepare for the storm, airlines have issued travel warnings, anticipating disruptions, especially in Central Florida. Major carriers, including United Airlines, have begun waiving change fees for ticket holders traveling in the coming days. These adjustments signal a broader urge for safety as Hurricane Milton inches closer, presenting considerable threats to both residents and tourists.
The ongoing situation remains fluid, with updates expected as meteorological assessments evolve. Governor Ron DeSantis, alongside emergency management officials, continues to prioritize the safety and preparedness of Florida’s residents as they brace for the impacts of Hurricane Milton.
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