In anticipation of Hurricane Milton’s rapid approach, Gov. Ron DeSantis provided state preparation updates Tuesday afternoon at the Florida Horse Park in Ocala. He was joined by Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie and Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue.
Milton is predicted to make landfall on the west coast of Florida Wednesday evening, the first hurricane to hit Tampa Bay directly in nearly a century. The storm — which has regained its Category 5 distinction after a brief Tuesday morning downgrade — is predicted to be deadly. Following the aftermath of Hurricane Helene just days prior, DeSantis said Milton’s formation has warranted “the largest national guard mobilization ahead of a storm in Florida history.”
Alachua County experienced widespread power outages and maximum wind speeds of 60 mph during Helene. Milton holds the potential for a force of up to 73 mph upon arrival in the county.
With a total of 51 counties under a state of emergency, damage is expected statewide.
DeSantis said the potential for a storm surge of up to 15 feet is the state’s most pressing concern. He strongly urged residents of coastal or inland flood risk areas and mobile or manufactured homes to evacuate immediately.
“If you’re going to get out, get out now,” he said.
The FDOT opened emergency shoulder use to create five-lane highways on Interstate 4 and Interstate 75, said FDOT Secretary Jared Perdue. While I-4 has returned to a normal congestion level, Perdue said I-75 is still experiencing 20% to 30% higher volume.
While UF will instate a complete campus closure on Wednesday and Thursday, the continuation of classes through Tuesday has garnered concern from students and parents.
Debris removal from Hurricane Helene is also a top priority before the arrival of Milton, which DeSantis said entails a constant operation of hundreds of dump trucks traveling to and from state landfills 24 hours a day. The swift cleanup initiative — amounting to approximately 1,300 truck loads under 48 hours as of Tuesday morning — could prevent additional damage caused by the rogue remnants of Helene, he said.
The state amassed fuel prior to Helene that was only partially used, and DeSantis said over 100,000 gallons of regular gas from the reserve will be on standby. About 1.2 million gallons of additional diesel and regular fuel are slated to reach east and west coast ports before the storm.
The state has also remained in communication with FEMA for disaster relief despite the organization’s staff shortages, which DeSantis said will not hinder Florida from carrying out a “robust response.”
As Milton barrels toward Florida, FDEM Executive Director Kevin Guthrie confirmed that power outages, tree damage and floods are expected upon the storm’s arrival. Residents should prepare seven days worth of food and water and be aware of local shelters if needed, which
Guthrie said will be supplemented by a series of state shelters.
Resources will be ready to deploy immediately after Milton’s passage, including personnel, bucket trucks, generators, electrical equipment and fuel stockpiled in state relief centers like the Florida Horse Park, Guthrie said. The FDEM is also disseminating shelf stable meals and water before the storm.
DeSantis urged residents — especially those fatigued by Helene — to “hang in there and do the right thing” as they brace for Milton’s imminent descent on the Sunshine State.
“It’s a big storm going in an ominous track,” he said.
Contact Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp at rdigiacomo-rapp@alligator.org. Follow her on X @rylan_digirapp.
Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp is a third year journalism and environmental science major and the Fall 2024 Enterprise Environmental Reporter. Outside of the newsroom, you can usually find her haunting local music venues.
