Governor Ron DeSantis, alongside key state officials, provided updates on Florida's preparedness for Hurricane Milton. The hurricane is currently located about 720 miles southwest of Tampa, with maximum sustained winds of 155 mph. It is expected to move near the Yucatan Peninsula before approaching Florida's west coast by Wednesday.
Governor DeSantis has declared a state of emergency for 51 counties through Executive Order 24-215. Residents are encouraged to visit FloridaDisaster.org/Guide for hurricane season navigation and FloridaDisaster.org/Counties for county resources.
The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) has activated the State Emergency Operations Center to Level 1 since September 24 due to Hurricane Helene and continues at this level for Hurricane Milton. FDEM leads over 600 missions supporting county preparedness efforts, including staging resources and protecting critical infrastructure.
The Florida Department of Veterans Affairs is preparing its facilities, converting outpatient appointments to virtual or rescheduling them at certain centers. The VISN 8 Clinical Contact Center remains operational around the clock for virtual care.
Regional Law Enforcement Coordination Teams are active in several cities, with aviation assets prepositioned ahead of the storm. Maintenance on equipment used during previous operations is complete and ready for deployment.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has prepared high-water vehicles and other resources statewide. Special Operations Group teams will conduct reconnaissance after landfall.
Health care providers have been requested to report their status via the Health Facility Reporting System. Several health care facilities have already reported evacuations.
The Department of Agriculture is ensuring adequate fuel supplies and assisting agricultural producers with necessary resources. An emergency order suspends intrastate movement requirements for animals fleeing the storm, with certain states waiving interstate import requirements.
Transportation preparations include clearing roads, securing construction projects, and monitoring traffic speeds. Debris removal efforts continue statewide following previous storms.
DEP issued an Emergency Final Order allowing disaster debris management sites' activation and removing barriers for necessary repairs post-storm.
Various departments are preparing mitigation measures, securing supplies, contacting clients in affected areas, and ensuring readiness in shelters and human services infrastructure.
The Department of Education monitors school districts' preparation efforts while providing updates on closures as needed.
Resources are being staged across multiple sectors to support businesses and consumers impacted by the storm. Updates on business closures are available at FloridaDisaster.biz.
For ongoing updates, follow FDEM on social media platforms or visit FloridaDisaster.org/Updates.