(NewsNation) — Emergency and utility crews are working to clear flooded roadways and restore power to the 1.1 million Florida homes and businesses still in the dark three days post-Milton, while gas companies attempt to deliver fuel amid a shortage.
At least 10 storm-related deaths have been reported, according to the White House.
The area is still recovering from Hurricane Helene, a Category 4 storm that hit Florida and other parts of the southeast just two weeks before Milton, a Category 3 at landfall.
President Joe Biden approved a major disaster declaration for 34 counties in Florida Saturday, which means those affected can apply for disaster assistance through FEMA.
Biden spoke with Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster Friday night to discuss the recovery efforts from Helene. He also spoke with Mayor Gene Brown of Bradenton, Florida, to discuss the ongoing rescue and response efforts in Florida following Milton, which made landfall near Sarasota in the central-west part of the state Wednesday night.
The president is expected to travel to Florida on Sunday to visit impacted areas.
Vice President Kamala Harris shared on X that FEMA has delivered more than 1.2 million meals, and search-and-rescue teams have assisted in more than 4,200 rescues.
Power outages in Florida
More than 1 million customers remained without power in Florida as of Saturday evening, down from an initial 3.3 million in the early morning hours of Thursday after the storm made landfall. The majority of outages are in the central-western part of the state where Milton made landfall.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis held a news conference in Plant City, Florida, Saturday afternoon to provide updates on the recovery efforts and fuel shortage.
He said all highways are open, and all commercial airports are open except for the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport. Other updates include:
- A large portion of gas stations’ power is still out, which means many gas stations cannot pump gas.
- 1,000 people were rescued from floodwaters
- 2.4 million homes’ electricity was restored. 1.5 million remain without power.
- 12,000 miles of roadway have been cleared.
- 2,400 bridges have been inspected.
- 90% of traffic signals are back in operation.
Starting on Sunday, free fuel distribution sites are available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at St. Pete Beach, Port Charlotte, Pinellas County, Hillsborough County and Sarasota County.
Still, many expressed relief that Milton wasn’t worse. The hurricane spared densely populated Tampa a direct hit, and the lethal storm surge that scientists feared never materialized.
“To the people of Florida: I know recovery and rebuilding periods can be long and difficult. And that long after the press and cameras move on, you have to pick up the pieces. But I want you to know I will do everything in my power to help you put the pieces back together,” President Joe Biden posted to X Friday morning.
“We did not get the worst-case scenario, but we did get hit, and we are going to have to work to bounce back,” DeSantis said.
By Monday, 43 of the state’s 54 school districts expect to be open again.
The governor continued to encourage residents to “exercise caution.”
Hurricane Milton’s destruction
Arriving just two weeks after the devastating Hurricane Helene, the system knocked out power to more than 3 million customers initially, flooded barrier islands, tore the roof off the Tampa Bay Rays’ baseball stadium, and toppled a construction crane.
Officials in hard-hit counties have warned people to beware of downed power lines, trees in roads, blocked bridges, and flooding. Before Milton even made landfall, heavy rain, and tornadoes lashed parts of southern Florida.
The National Weather Service reported almost 19 inches of rainfall in the St. Petersburg area. A storm surge of 8 to 10 feet was reported in Sarasota County. Milton rapidly weakened to a Category 1 storm as it moved inland.
Polk County officials shared a harrowing tale of life in a deadly storm. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said that some of the office’s deputies helped transport a pregnant woman to the hospital early Thursday morning as she was going into labor, successfully getting her to the hospital to deliver her daughter, Jade.
In Venice Beach, a home was entirely buried in sand, with the pile high enough to push furniture halfway up a doorway nearly hitting the ceiling. The City of Venice said the area remains highly dangerous due to deep holes, trip hazards, exposed utilities, and sharp debris.
In Washington, D.C., Biden called on Congress to move as fast as possible to deliver emergency funding to the Sunshine State.
“I think Speaker (Mike) Johnson is going to get the message that he’s got to step up, particularly for small businesses,” Biden told reporters in the Roosevelt Room Friday.
Ft. Myers, a tourist town along Florida’s Gulf Coast, is still grappling with at least a foot of flood water. The storm surge in Ft. Myers peaked at around 5 feet.
“You can hide from the wind, but you’ve got to run from the water,” Mayor Kevin B. Anderson told NewsNation Saturday morning.
His message to residents: Prepare for hurricane season as soon as it starts June 1.
“If you plan and prepare, you don’t have to panic. The most predictable thing about a hurricane is it is unpredictable.”
He said most residents heeded warnings. Many businesses in the downtown area were open for business Friday evening, the mayor said, but power is still an issue. Grocery store shelves are still bare.
“We are definitely bouncing back,” Anderson said, calling his community resilient.
Zephyrhills residents are asked to limit their potable water usage in the wake of Hurricane Milton, particularly flushing toilets as “this is causing the biggest problem.”
“We also ask all residents to immediately limit potable water use to help alleviate the pressure on the system,” officials said. “Minimizing water use at this time is critical to prevent further issues.”
Officials warn of hurricane relief scams
As relief efforts continue, the U.S. Department of Justice is alerting the public to a rise in scams aimed at exploiting victims of these disasters.
According to the DOJ, scammers are quick to exploit weather disasters and the people affected by them.
Officials also reminded people that if their property was damaged by both Helene and Milton, they would need to apply for disaster assistance twice, with separate applications for the damage from each storm.
On Friday evening, Sarasota County Government shared that FEMA has asked for assistance “correcting a rumor about automatic financial reimbursement for those who have been without power for 24 hours. Any individual seeking disaster assistance from FEMA must complete an application process.”
NewsNation’s Devan Markham and Anna Kutz contributed to this report.