TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Governor Ron DeSantis acknowledged the ongoing recovery from Hurricane Milton, commending the swift restoration of electricity following the storm. He noted that this rapid response has been unprecedented after a major weather event.
DeSantis stated, “President Reagan once mentioned that the most frightening statement in the English language is, ‘I’m from the government and I’m here to help.’ There certainly is truth in that sentiment, but I doubt he ever witnessed Florida’s resilience in the face of natural disasters—our proactive measures genuinely make a difference.” These remarks were made at a press briefing held beside a waterlogged road in Zephyrhills.
Despite progress, approximately 170,000 customers remained without power, while rivers in some flooded locales continued to rise. The state was also actively distributing free gas to residents facing challenges in refueling their vehicles. Nevertheless, DeSantis highlighted that over 4 million customers had electricity restored within just a week of Hurricane Milton’s impact, classified as a Category 3 storm.
In the wake of Hurricane Helene, which unleashed significant destruction across Florida and parts of the Southeastern U.S., the death toll rose to over 240, with at least 11 fatalities recorded in the aftermath. Although most gas stations were operational again, the state maintained 10 active fuel distribution centers, providing free gasoline to residents. To date, they have distributed more than 2 million gallons of fuel.
Similar to the aftermath of Hurricane Ian two years prior, areas in central Florida experienced continued flooding as a result of the rising St. Johns River nearly a week after Milton’s landfall. In Seminole County, located north of Orlando, crews had to close roads near Lake Harney and Lake Jesup due to significant flooding affecting multiple homes. Since last Thursday, at least 15 individuals needed to evacuate from residences in the community of Geneva and a nearby area in Altamonte Springs along the Little Wekiva River.
The water levels of the St. Johns River were predicted to peak later this week. Additionally, in Sumter County, which is home to the extensive retirement community known as The Villages, authorities advised residents living along the Little Withlacoochee River to evacuate as water levels rose. Evacuees were offered shelter at the Sumter County Fairgrounds.