Governor Ron DeSantis Issues Updates on State Preparedness Efforts for Hurricane Milton

October 08, 2024

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.— (Oct 7, 2024) Today, Governor Ron DeSantis was joined by Major General John D. Haas Adjutant General of Florida, Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) Executive Director Kevin Guthrie, Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Secretary Jared Perdue, Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) Executive Director Dave Kerner and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Executive Director Roger Young at the State Emergency Operations Center to provide updates on preparedness efforts for Hurricane Milton.

As of 5 p.m. ET, Hurricane Milton is located about 675 miles southwest of Tampa, Florida with maximum sustained winds of 180 mph. Milton is forecast to move near or just north of the Yucatan Peninsula today and Tuesday, then cross the eastern Gulf of Mexico and approach the west coast of Florida by Wednesday.

Hurricane Warning: Charlotte, Citrus, DeSoto, Hardee, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lake, Lee, Levy, Manatee, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, Seminole and Sumter counties.

Hurricane Watches: Brevard, Clay, Collier, Duval, Flagler, Glades, Hendry, Indian River, Nassau, Okeechobee, Putnam, St. Johns and Volusia counties.

Tropical Storm Warning: Coastal Franklin, Coastal Jefferson, Coastal Wakulla, Collier, Dixie, Gilchrist, Glades, Hendry, Lafayette, Monroe, Okeechobee, Suwannee, Taylor, Western Alachua and Western Columbia counties.

Tropical Storm Watches: Baker, Bradford, Broward, Eastern Alachua, Eastern Columbia, Hamilton, Inland Jefferson, Madison, Martin, Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, St. Lucie and Union counties.

Storm Surge Warnings: Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, Hernando, Hillsborough, Lee, Levy, Manatee, Monroe, Pasco, Pinellas and Sarasota Counties.

Storm Surge Watches: Brevard, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, St. Johns, Putnam and Volusia Counties.

The State Assistance Information Line is now open and accepting calls 24/7 with English, Spanish and Haitian-Creole speakers available at 1-800-342-3557.

Governor DeSantis issued Executive Order 24-215, amending EO 24-214 and declaring a state of emergency for 51 counties.

To learn more about navigating hurricane season, residents can visit FloridaDisaster.org/Guide. For updates on county resources available visit FloridaDisaster.org/Counties for a list of all 67 county emergency management contacts.

State Preparedness Efforts

The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) has activated the State Emergency Operations Center to Level 1 since Tuesday, September 24, for Hurricane Helene, and is at a Level 1 for Hurricane Milton as of October 6, leading coordination efforts for the State Emergency Response Team.

The State Emergency Response Team is engaged in over 930 missions to assist counties in their preparedness efforts. These missions accomplish vital tasks like staging resources to deploy for immediate response as soon as it is safe to do so, protecting critical infrastructure facilities like hospitals and utility stations, and coordinating personnel statewide.

FDEM is establishing a 10,000-person base camp at Tropicana Field to support ongoing debris operations and post-landfall responders.

FDEM is coordinating the deployment of fuel and EV chargers to pre-stage along evacuation routes to support evacuations.

The Florida State Guard (FSG) has activated and mobilized soldiers in preparation of Hurricane Milton. FSG units answering the call for aid include Crisis Response Battalion (CRB), Aviation Response Squadron (AVS), Maritime Response Squadron (MRS), and Special Missions Unit (SMU).

FSG units are positioning assets throughout the state to rapidly respond with search and rescue, route clearance, reconnaissance/damage assessments, and distribution of supplies to residents in impacted areas.

Current FSG assets include:
- 6 search and rescue teams
- 2 UH- 60 Blackhawks
- 10 maritime and flood response teams
- 2 amphibious rescue vehicles
- 15 cut and toss crews

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Regional Law Enforcement Coordination Teams (RLECT) are operational in Tampa, Orlando and Fort Myers.

FDLE’s mutual aid team is coordinating more than 50 active law enforcement missions identifying base camps, fuel stations and post-storm response squads.

FDLE aviation assets are prepositioned ahead of the storm.

The FDLE Sworn Training Unit cut team is on stand-by and ready to deploy. The team helps make temporary, emergency repairs to the homes of first responders so they can quickly get back to work after a storm.

Maintenance is complete on all equipment used during Hurricane Helene and Operation Blue Ridge. The equipment, including command buses, sleeping quarters and generators, is ready for deployment.

The Florida Department of Veteran’s Affairs (FDVA) storm preparations are underway at all State Veterans’ Nursing Homes in anticipation of Hurricane Milton’s landfall.

All outpatient appointments on Monday will be converted to virtual or rescheduled for the C. W. “Bill” Young VA Medical Center in Bay Pines.

The VISN 8 Clinical Contact Center is operational 24/7/365 for virtual care and tele-emergency care to support Florida Veterans enrolled for VA Health Care. Call 1-877-741-3400.

The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) is finalizing storm preparations to ensure the safety and security of staff and youth in our care. This includes fueling all vehicles, moving vehicles in low-lying and flood-prone areas to higher ground, testing and ensuring adequate fuel supplies for generators in the event of loss of power, and ensuring food, medicine, and emergency supplies are stocked and ready.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has readied high-water vehicles and all other storm response resources statewide so they may be rapidly deployed to assist Floridians in need in the event of damage or flooding. Contingency plans based on forecasted landfall locations have been developed and remain flexible based on the storm’s projected path.

In addition to local officers, approximately 75, FWC officers are ready to deploy to identified staging areas and respond with a variety of specialized equipment as necessary, such as:
- Airboats
- Shallow draft boats
- ATVs/Side-by-sides
- Larger platform vessels
- Four-wheel vehicles
- Specialized high water vehicles

FWC Special Operations Group (SOG) teams will serve as reconnaissance units for the state and report on damage after the storm has made landfall.

FWC Aviation Section has been placed on standby and has readied all appropriate aircraft for potential deployment for aerial assistance, reconnaissance, and post-storm damage assessments when needed.

FWC is urging all boat owners to secure their vessels. For those unable to remove their boats from the water, it is essential to utilize all necessary measures to secure it.

Health and Human Services

The Florida Department of Health (DOH) deployed over 700 emergency response vehicles on the I-4 Corridor in preparation for the storm. Staging is currently in Columbia, Osceola, and Pinellas counties.

DOH is supporting two (2) special needs shelters, which are accepting clients, located in two (2) counties: Pasco (1) and Pinellas (1). Additional special needs shelters are on standby as the storm approaches.

DOH and the Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) sent information regarding early prescription refills permitted under Executive Order 24-215. This information was sent to the public, health insurers, managed care organizations, pharmacy benefit managers, pharmacy chains and health care providers.

The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) has initiated an event in the Health Facility Reporting System (HFRS). Health care providers have been requested to provide information on census, available beds, evacuation status, accepting evacuees and generator needs from counties declared under EO-24-114. This information allows AHCA to assist health care providers in transferring patients if needed and ensure that health care providers in impacted areas have the necessary resources and adequate power.
- 119 health care facilities have reported evacuations. This includes:
- 1 adult family care home
- 65 assisted living facilities
- 3 hospices
- 4 hospitals
- 1 intermediate care facilities for the developmentally disabled
- 38 nursing homes
- 1 residential treatment center for children and adolescents
- 6 residential treatment facilities

AHCA is conducting daily calls with the Florida Hospital Association and Florida Healthcare Association to ensure nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and hospitals are prepared and have their needs met ahead of Hurricane Milton.

The Agency has waived all prior authorization requirements for critical Medicaid services beginning October 7, 2024, until further notice.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is working with Florida’s ports and fuel industry partners to ensure adequate fuel supplies are available, and with Florida’s agricultural partners so producers have adequate resources.

The Florida Forest Service is staging equipment, like high-water vehicles, dump trucks, bulldozers, and front-end loaders to assist with road clearing.

The Florida Forest Service and the Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement are supporting efforts to expedite debris removal in the Tampa Bay region.

The Florida Forest Service is supporting the Florida Department of Transportation and Pinellas County with debris removal with ten dump trucks, two front-end loaders, and 11 personnel.

Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson has approved an emergency order temporarily suspending the intrastate movement requirements for the transportation of animals and livestock fleeing Hurricane Milton. In addition, the following states have waived their interstate import requirements for Florida pets, horses and livestock leaving the state: Alabama, Georgia (does not include livestock), Mississippi, and North Carolina.

The Department is working to connect evacuating horse owners with open public and private facilities across the state.

The Florida State Fairgrounds has opened the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center on a first come first serve basis for horse owners that are in the direct path of Hurricane Milton. To learn more and reserve a spot, visit floridastatefair.com/equestrian.

The Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA) is contacting all our Area Agencies on Aging partners to receive updates on their ongoing preparation efforts and gather the status of any unmet needs.

The Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) continues response and pre-landfall protocols and communication with APD-operated facilities, regions, and providers within the counties under declared state of emergency to provide updates on Hurricane Milton, evacuation orders, office closures, anticipation of unmet needs, and verifying client status.

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is preparing for Hurricane Milton and ensuring providers in potentially impacted areas have the resources they need for the storm.

The Department has secured supplies to ensure readiness in the event the Hope Bus is needed for deployment after landfall.

The State Mental Health Treatment Facilities have activated their disaster preparation plans and are ready for the storm.

DCF is in the process of contacting foster families, adult protective services clients, and licensed providers in the storm’s path to ensure preparedness.

DCF is making preliminary preparations for staffing shelters, delivering emergency supplies, and directing generators to critical human services infrastructure.

DCF is providing information about Hope Florida to evacuation shelters, domestic violence shelters, and other critical partners in advance of the storm.

Infrastructure, Roads and State Closures

The Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) Hurricane Milton statewide preparedness efforts include clearing shoulders in preparation for potential Emergency Should Use (ESU):
- Currently analyzing flooding vulnerabilities for major roadways and bridges.
- Inspecting and clearing drainage systems, monitoring flood-prone and currently saturated areas, and pre-positioning pumps as appropriate.
- Tolls have been suspended on facilities in West Florida and Central Florida as well as Alligator Alley to help facilitate traffic flow as Floridians evacuate. Specific details and facilities can be found listed here.
- FDOT and Florida Highway Patrol are actively implementing Emergency Shoulder Use (ESU) on eastbound I-4 from Tampa to S.R. 417 in Central Florida and on Northbound I-75 in Tampa from North of I-4 to south of I-10 in Columbia County. This operation allows motorists to use the left shoulder as an extra lane in designated areas as well as keeps travel available in both directions – helping to get people out and get supplies and resources in.
- Work has been suspended and project sites secured on construction projects in the counties listed below to ensure all lanes are accessible for evacuations:
  - Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Glades, Hamilton, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Miami Dade, Monroe, Nassau, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Suwannee, Sumter, Taylor, Union, Volusia
- Securing high mast lighting, maintenance yards, active construction projects, rest areas/welcome centers, service plazas, and weigh stations that had returned to normal since Hurricane Helene.
- Barges at the Howard Frankland Bridge project is being secured.
- Replenishing fuel reserves, checking generator readiness, and pre-positioning assets as appropriate.
- Completing repairs on malfunctioning vehicles and equipment in preparation for deployment.
- Initiated communication with modal partners – seaports, airports, railroads, transit, and spaceports. All partners are currently in monitoring posture.
- Staging ITS trailers, as well as drone teams and equipment are being prepped and ready to deploy as needed.
- Expanded Road Ranger Service across the impact zones.

Resources prepped and staged strategically (close to the projected path for quick implementation)
- Cut & Toss Ops = 328 team members on standby
- Over 1,015 generators
- Over 350 pieces of heavy equipment and trucks
- 67 pumps pre-positioned
- Satellite internet equipment= 58 Starlink devices
- Over 1,900 team members on standby for various emergency response efforts, including, damage assessment, flooding, traffic signals outages, etc.
- FDOT has 20 drone pilots on standby
- 8 ITS trailers staged
- Over 150 bridge inspectors on standby

FDOT has removed 176,000 cubic yards of debris statewide.

FDOT is supporting our local communities with supplemental sand and debris removal from local roads on the barrier islands in Pinellas and Manatee counties.

At the direction of Gov. DeSantis, FDOT is coordinating debris removal assignments for the Florida National Guard, Florida State Guard, Florida Highway Patrol, Florida Department of Agriculture, amongst others, who have activated available state personnel and resources to clear and haul remaining debris.
- 550 truckloads and nearly 10,000 cubic yards of debris have been removed from Pinellas County barrier islands.

FDOT encourages drivers to download the FL511 app or visit FL511.com for road/bridge closures and potential detours that may be activated. Remember to always follow the direction of local law enforcement and emergency personnel.
Transportation Modes:

Seaports, Airports, Rail, and Transit Agencies are preparing for storm conditions
- Port Tampa Bay, Seaport Manatee, Port St. Pete are closing waterside at 8 a.m., October 8.
- Port Everglades is closed waterside with restrictions.
- Port Canaveral is closing waterside with restrictions at 8a.m., October 8.
- Tampa International Airport is suspending flight operations at 9 a.m. Tuesday, October 8.
- Punta Gorda Airport announced suspending flight operations starting mid-day Tuesday, October 8.
- St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport is closing Tuesday, October 8 after the last afternoon flight departure.
- Sarasota/Bradenton International Airport announced suspending operations at 4pm local time on Tuesday, October 8.
- SunRail operations will be suspended starting Tuesday, October 8.
- Transit agencies in the impacted area are offering evacuation transportation to shelters. Please check with your local transit provider for schedules.

Please check with your airline or transportation service provider directly about potential service impacts.

Following the issuance of the Governor’s Executive Order, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) issued an Emergency Final Order allowing for the activation of disaster debris management sites to store and process storm generated solid waste and debris.

DEP’s Emergency Final Order also removes barriers for expediting necessary repair, replacement and restoration of structures, including coastal structures, equipment, surface water management systems, works and other systems that may be damaged by the storm.

DEP is coordinating with Landfill Strike Teams to assess Disaster Debris Management Sites (DDMS) operating as a result of Hurricane Helene.

For counties and local governments in need of additional debris disposal locations, especially ahead of Hurricane Milton, DEP has approved all pending DDMS site activation requests and stands ready to approve the activation of any additional pre-authorized or new DDMSs that may be needed.
- Currently, 193 DDMS have been authorized to operate.

Hurricane Helene kicked up significant amounts of sediment and sand along the coastlines in and along its path. DEP is working with local governments to manage the excess sand and continue removal efforts.
- For sand that has accumulated on private properties, residents should return it to the beach if it appears clean, smells fresh and is free of debris. If the sand contains debris, residents should contact their local government to find the nearest disposal site. DEP has worked with counties to establish temporary staging areas to properly screen the sand before it is returned to the beach. There are currently 20 DDMSs managing sand in Pinellas and Manatee counties.

DEP is working with Florida’s Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (FlaWARN), the Florida Rural Water Association and other response agencies to ensure preparations are underway to support drinking and wastewater facilities ahead of Hurricane Milton.

All significant hazardous waste facilities, both phosphate and non-phosphate mines, and all drinking water and wastewater facilities in potentially affected counties have been notified to ensure all pre-storm preparations are being made.

Florida’s water management districts are engaging local governments and drainage operators throughout the state to proactively move water into water management district-canal and lake systems to lower water levels in advance of the storm. In addition, they have more than 20 temporary pumps on stand-by to alleviate any potential localized flooding. As part of standard operations, DEP and Florida’s water management districts continue to monitor water systems and river levels as the storm develops.

DEP published a storm updates webpage to keep state park visitors updated of closures: FloridaStateParks.org/StormUpdates. Visitors with existing camping and cabin reservations at closed parks have been notified of their reservation status.

The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) has staged high-water rescue vehicles in preparation for landfall of Hurricane Milton.

FHP is mobilizing 74 Quick Response Force (QRF) Troopers to stage in preparation for the incoming storm.

FHP provided assistance with ingress and egress into debris disposal sites.

FHP is providing UAV overwatch over debris disposal sites

FHP is providing security at the Pinellas County Landfill and assisting with traffic entering and exiting.

All FHP Troops statewide will be going to Alpha/Bravo shifts effective Tuesday., October 8th (Troop C-Tampa area will begin this on 10/7/24 at 6 a.m.). All days off will be canceled.

FHP will be assisting with debris cleanup in the Tampa area.

FHP is working with its partners at FDOT to prepare and implement the Emergency Shoulder Use (ESU) plan for evacuations in the Tampa area.

FHP is assisting with traffic control outside Tropicana Field for debris cleanup crews.

FHP is providing security at multiple fuel sites across the state.

FHP air support are staged and prepared to deploy when needed.

FHP drone units are deployed assisting ground crews with debris cleanup in Pinellas County.

The Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) is actively preparing mitigation measures by deploying evacuation assets and identifying areas of evacuation. Updates will be made available to the public at www.fdc.myflorida.com/weather-updates.

The Florida Department of Education (DOE) is actively monitoring Hurricane Milton and is working with school districts as they begin preparation efforts. The Department is also in close contact with districts that have been impacted by Hurricane Helene and will assist them with addressing critical needs ahead of the storm. Updates on school closures can be found at FLDOE.org/storminfo.

Resources for Employees, Businesses and Consumers

The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) is staging assets and personnel across 13 offices statewide and is prepared to surge resources to areas impacted by Hurricane Helene that receive a second impact from Hurricane Milton.

Updates on business closures and business resources are consistently being updated at FloridaDisaster.biz.

FloridaCommerce is communicating and coordinating with more than 200 private sector partners across the state, encouraging them to review their emergency plans for their businesses and prepare their employees in advance of Hurricane Milton.

FloridaCommerce is working with private sector banking partners to ensure that evacuees have access to banks and are able to withdraw cash.

POSTPONED: Due to Hurricane Milton, FloridaCommerce has postponed the One-Stop Business Resource Sites that were expected to open in Citrus, Dixie, Levy, Manatee and Pasco counties.

The Florida Small Business Development Center Network (SBDC) is coordinating with regional offices to prepare staff and clients ahead of the storm.

FloridaCommerce and CareerSource Florida hosted a pre-storm briefing with the 21 Local Workforce Development Boards and 38 Community Action Agencies across the state to assist employees and employers after the weather event.

CareerSource Florida Career Center closures can be found on FloridaDisaster.biz.

Scenic Stays Vacation Rentals in Northwest Florida has a 35% discount with promotion code MILTON. Go to myscenicstays.com or call 850-407-2244 to book.

Wawa stores in Florida are providing free coffee and fountain beverages to all first responders, including National Guard in Florida in appreciation for all they are doing to support and serve our communities during hurricane response and recovery efforts.

FloridaCommerce is working with VISIT FLORIDA, the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association and other private sector partners to secure lodging for evacuees and first responders in response to Hurricane Milton.

VISIT FLORIDA Emergency Accommodation Modules on Expedia, Priceline, and Booking.com will remain available to provide real-time hotel availability and lodging resources for impacted Floridians and visitors.

Rosen Hotels & Resorts activated its Florida Resident Distress Rates for those in the 51 counties declared as under a state of emergency by Governor Ron DeSantis.

Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort has extended special offers for Evacuees and First Responders in need of accommodations in the event of an evacuation. Please see the linked pages below for more information.
- EVACUEES Good for stays through October 31. Book by October 29
- FIRST RESPONDERS Good for stays through December 31. Book by December 29.

The Office of Financial Regulation (OFR) offers online resources to Floridians who may need help finding information about their financial services provider(s), including state-chartered banks and credit unions, mortgage servicers, and other financial businesses and professionals.

OIR, in coordination with the Florida Department of Health (DOH), sent information regarding early prescription refills permitted under Executive Order 24-215. This information was sent to the public, health insurers, managed care organizations, pharmacy benefit managers, pharmacy chains, and health care providers. Information can be found here.
For previous updates see below:
10/6/2024 (1)
10/6/2024 (2)
10/7/2024
Follow FDEM on X, Instagram, and Facebook for updates and visit FloridaDisaster.org/Updates for information relating to Hurricane Milton.