Governor DeSantis leads state agencies in Hurricane Milton readiness efforts
Tallahassee, Florida – Governor Ron DeSantis, alongside Florida Division of Emergency Management Executive Director Kevin Guthrie and Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue, held a press conference at the Florida Horse Park Logistics Staging Area in Ocala to update residents on preparations for Hurricane Milton.
State of Emergency Declared and Warnings Issued
As of 5 p.m. ET Tuesday, Hurricane Milton was located approximately 480 miles southwest of Tampa, boasting maximum sustained winds of 165 mph. The storm is projected to traverse the eastern Gulf of Mexico through Wednesday, make landfall along Florida’s west-central coast Wednesday night, and exit over the Atlantic Ocean on Thursday. In anticipation, Governor DeSantis issued Executive Order 24-215, declaring a state of emergency for 51 counties. Multiple hurricane and tropical storm warnings have been issued, covering a broad swath of the state.
State Agencies and First Responders Spring into Action
The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) has activated the State Emergency Operations Center to Level 1, coordinating over 1,500 missions to assist counties in their preparedness efforts. Resources being distributed include:
- 726,200 liters of water
- 581,000 meals ready-to-eat (MREs)
- 237,000 sandbags
- Nearly 33,600 tarp kits
The Florida National Guard has activated approximately 5,000 service members, equipped with aircraft and vehicles ready for search, rescue, and damage assessment post-storm. The Florida State Guard has mobilized nearly 200 soldiers, positioning assets statewide for rapid response.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is coordinating the deployment of an additional 500 out-of-state law enforcement officers to maintain order post-landfall. They are managing over 70 active law enforcement missions, including security at staging areas and fuel locations.
Community Support and Evacuations
Residents in evacuation zones are encouraged to use state-provided resources. The State Assistance Information Line is open 24/7 at 1-800-342-3557, offering support in English, Spanish, and Haitian-Creole. Free evacuation shuttles are operating in Pinellas, Pasco, and Hillsborough counties. The state has partnered with Uber to provide free rides to local shelters for those in mandatory evacuation zones using the promo code MILTONRELIEF. Additionally, residents can find open shelters in their area by visiting FloridaDisaster.org/shelter-status.
Florida’s comprehensive preparedness efforts demonstrate a strong commitment to resident safety as Hurricane Milton approaches. State agencies are working tirelessly to ensure resources are available, evacuation plans are executed smoothly, and first responders are ready to act immediately after the storm. Residents are urged to stay informed, follow official guidance, and prioritize safety during this critical time.