Today, Governor Ron DeSantis provided updates on Florida's preparedness for Hurricane Milton alongside Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) Executive Director Kevin Guthrie and Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue at the State Emergency Operations Center. As of 5 p.m. ET, Hurricane Milton is located approximately 805 miles west-southwest of Tampa, Florida, with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph. The storm is expected to move north of the Yucatan Peninsula and across the southern Gulf of Mexico early in the week before approaching Florida's west coast by Wednesday.
Governor DeSantis has issued Executive Order 24-215, amending EO 24-214 and declaring a state of emergency for 51 counties. Residents seeking guidance on hurricane season can visit FloridaDisaster.org/Guide for more information.
The FDEM has activated the State Emergency Operations Center to Level 1 since September 24 due to Hurricane Helene and remains at this level for Hurricane Milton as well. "The State Emergency Response Team is engaged in over 450 missions to assist counties in their preparedness efforts," stated FDEM officials. They are preparing a base camp at Tropicana Field for debris operations and post-landfall responders and pre-staging fuel and EV chargers along evacuation routes.
Various state departments are taking steps to ensure readiness. The Florida Department of Veteran’s Affairs (FDVA) is preparing state veterans' nursing homes, while the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) ensures all equipment used during Hurricane Helene is ready for reuse. The FDLE Regional Operations Centers have also set up Regional Law Enforcement Coordination Teams.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has readied high-water vehicles and other resources statewide, with contingency plans developed based on forecasted landfall locations. The FWC Special Operations Group will act as reconnaissance units post-landfall.
Health services are also being mobilized; over 200 emergency response vehicles have been deployed by the Department of Health along the I-4 Corridor. The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) has requested health care providers supply census data, evacuation status, and generator needs under EO-24-114.
Infrastructure preparations include FDOT clearing road shoulders in anticipation of potential flooding and staging ITS trailers, drones, and heavy equipment strategically near projected paths for quick deployment if necessary. "FDOT encourages drivers to download the FL511 app or visit FL511.com for road/bridge closures," advises FDOT officials.
Other agencies like DEP are coordinating debris management site assessments following Hurricane Helene's impact, while FHP prepares high-water rescue vehicles ahead of Milton's landfall.
Businesses can access resources through DBPR which is prepared to deploy assets across impacted areas from both Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Updates on business closures are available via FloridaDisaster.biz.
Floridians are encouraged to stay informed through official channels such as FDEM social media accounts or visit FloridaDisaster.org/Updates for ongoing information related to hurricanes Helene and Milton.