TREASURE ISLAND, FL (352today.com) – Governor Ron DeSantis held a press conference in Treasure Island following Hurricane Milton’s impact.

He addressed the storm’s aftermath, outlining ongoing recovery efforts, including utility restoration and emergency response initiatives.

DeSantis praised first responders and local officials for their prompt action in helping residents. He also discussed available state and federal resources, ensuring that affected communities receive necessary support.

The governor emphasized the importance of resilience and continued preparedness in dealing with future hurricanes.

Key Points:
  1. Fuel Distribution:
    • Fuel was being provided at various sites across the impacted areas, including Bradenton, Plant City, St. Pete, and other locations. Each site was offering 10 gallons of free fuel per person, with many of the sites open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. These efforts were critical, as the Port of Tampa and Port Manatee had been significantly disrupted by the storm.
  2. Power Restoration:
    • As of the time of the press conference, 3.25 million power accounts had been restored, with 818,000 accounts still without power. The hardest-hit areas included Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Manatee counties, where utility trucks and restoration efforts were in full swing. Florida Power & Light (FPL) and other utility providers were making significant progress.
  3. Debris Removal:
    • A major portion of the conference focused on debris removal. Governor DeSantis emphasized the urgency of clearing debris, noting that the state had been approved for 100% FEMA reimbursement for debris removal for 90 days. More than 2,800 personnel were deployed to assist in this effort, including the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), Florida National Guard, and other agencies. This allows for the rapid removal of thousands of cubic yards of debris across the impacted areas.
    • The Governor encouraged cities and counties to expedite their requests for debris management, stressing that the process often takes too long due to paperwork and concerns about reimbursement.
  4. Assistance Programs:
    • The state’s “Hope Florida” initiative was activated, offering assistance to individuals impacted by the hurricane, especially the elderly. A toll-free line (1-833-GET-HOPE) and “Hope buses” were available to provide in-person help, having already assisted thousands of people.
    • Private sector partners like Walmart, Publix, and AT&T had also contributed supplies and donations to aid recovery efforts.
  5. Damage Assessment and Recovery:
    • Search and rescue operations had mostly concluded, with only a few ongoing missions in areas with rising waters, such as Plant City. Officials urged residents to evacuate if necessary and avoid floodwaters, which could be hazardous.
    • FDOT reported that 100% of state roads had been cleared, and bridges inspected. Port Tampa Bay and Port Manatee were resuming fuel operations, and fuel trucks were actively moving supplies to impacted areas.
  6. Safety Measures and Advice:
    • Homeowners were reminded to use generators safely, keep them 20 feet from open doors, and avoid using them in garages. They were also warned against hiring unlicensed contractors and to check licenses at MyFloridaLicense.com.
    • The state continued to hold coordination calls twice daily with county officials to ensure all recovery needs were met.