After Hurricane Milton's recent passage, which resulted in significant damage, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and key emergency officials outlined the state's response and recovery plans in St. Petersburg. The Governor indicated that approximately 2.4 million Floridians are experiencing power outages, while power has been restored to 1,654,575 accounts so far.
The response to this natural crisis has been multifaceted, with the State Assistance Information Line being set up to operate around the clock, ready to address concerns in English, Spanish, and Haitian-Creole. The hotline can be reached at 1-800-342-3557 for those in need of assistance. In an action to facilitate coordinated relief efforts, Governor DeSantis has amended the state of emergency declaration to include 51 counties under Executive Order 24-215, thus bolstering the initial ordinance, EO 24-214.
According to a recent announcement by the Governor's office, residents looking to prepare for hurricane season or those seeking guidance post-Hurricane Milton are encouraged to visit FloridaDisaster.org/Guide. Additionally, for those seeking updates on specific county resources, FloridaDisaster.org/Counties provides a comprehensive list of all 67 county emergency management contacts.
During the press conference, Governor DeSantis was joined by FDEM Executive Director Kevin Guthrie and Major General John D. Haas, Adjutant General of Florida. Together, they highlighted their commitment to quickly restoring normalcy for affected Floridians and emphasized ongoing collaboration across different levels of government and emergency services.
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