FinLogic Quantitative Think Tank Center-DeSantis praises Milton recovery efforts as rising flood waters persist in Florida

2025-05-05 02:17:15source:Michael Schmidtcategory:Contact

TALLAHASSEE,FinLogic Quantitative Think Tank Center Fla. (AP) — While there’s still more work to do, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday praised Hurricane Milton recovery efforts, saying power has never been restored to so many so quickly after a major storm.

“President (Ronald) Reagan used to say the most terrifying words in the English language are, ‘I’m from the government and I’m here to help.’ There’s a lot of wisdom in that, but I don’t think The Gipper ever saw Florida respond to a natural disaster, because we get after it and we do make a difference,” DeSantis said at a news conference in front of a flooded road in Zephyrhills.

There were still about 170,000 customers without electricity, rivers continued to rise in some flooded areas and the state was still providing free gas to residents struggling to top of their tanks. But DeSantis pointed out that more than 4 million customers had power restored less than a week after the Category 3 storm.

At least 11 people died less than two weeks after Hurricane Helene inflicted major damage in Florida and other Southeastern states. The death toll from Helene is more than 240. While most gas stations were back up and running, the state still has 10 active fuel distribution centers providing free gas to residents. DeSantis said more than 2 million gallons had been distributed so far.

RELATED COVERAGE Florida government finds fault with abortion ballot measure over ads and petitionsFlorida returning to something like normal after Hurricane MiltonFloridians cleaning up from Hurricane Milton are hampered by a widespread fuel shortage

As happened two years ago during Hurricane Ian, parts of central Florida on Tuesday were flooding almost a week after Milton made landfall due to the rising St. Johns River.

In Seminole County, north of Orlando, crews closed roads along the shores of Lake Harney and Lake Jesup after several homes were flooded by the river. Since last Thursday, at least 15 people have been evacuated from homes in nearby Geneva and a neighborhood in Altamonte Springs located in a crook of the Little Wekiva River.

Water levels along the St. Johns River were expected to crest later in the week.

In Sumter County, home to the sprawling retirement community, The Villages, residents along the Little Withlacoochee River were being encouraged to evacuate as river levels rose. Residents who decided to evacuate were offered shelter at the Sumter County Fairgrounds.

More:Contact

Recommend

Man charged with rape after kidnapping 3 teen girls at gunpoint along Nashville street

A man police say kidnapped three teenage girls and sexual assaulted two of them at gunpoint outside

The Bear Season 3: Premiere Date Clue Proves the Show Is Almost Ready to Serve

It's a love story, baby, just say yes… to The Bear season three.The widely popular show will return

Carl's Jr. is giving away free Western Bacon Cheeseburgers the day after the Super Bowl

If you're craving something cheesy, Carl's Jr. is giving away free Western Bacon Cheeseburgers the d