Current:Home > MarketsDeSantis praises Milton recovery efforts as rising flood waters persist in Florida-DB Wealth Institute B2 Reviews & Ratings
DeSantis praises Milton recovery efforts as rising flood waters persist in Florida
lotradecoin identity View Date:2024-12-26 05:17:41
TALLAHASSEE, 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.
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.
veryGood! (1)
Related
- Justice Department defends Boeing plea deal against criticism by 737 Max crash victims’ families
- Can 17-year-old 'Euphoria' star become boxing's next big thing? Jake Paul thinks so
- Kate Somerville Spills the Secret to Looking Younger Instantly & It's Super Easy
- Paul Giamatti's own high school years came in handy in 'The Holdovers'
- What to stream: Post Malone goes country, Sydney Sweeney plays a nun and Madden 25 hits the field
- These Cute Swimsuits From Amazon Are All Under $40 & Will Have You Ready for a Beach Day
- Can 17-year-old 'Euphoria' star become boxing's next big thing? Jake Paul thinks so
- Q&A: Former EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy on New Air Pollution Regulations—and Women’s Roles in Bringing Them About
- Big Georgia county to start charging some costs to people who challenge the eligibility of voters
- Bethany Joy Lenz Reveals Name of Alleged Cult She Says She Belonged To
Ranking
- A slain teacher loved attending summer camp. His mom is working to give kids the same opportunity
- Migrant brawl at reception center in Panama’s Darien region destroys shelter
- 'Tremendously lucky': Video shows woman rescued from truck hanging from Louisville bridge
- CEO says Fanatics is 'getting the (expletive) kicked out of us' in MLB jersey controversy
- These six House races are ones to watch in this year’s election
- Firefighters face difficult weather conditions as they battle the largest wildfire in Texas history
- Small plane crashes on golf course at private Florida Keys resort; 1 person injured
- NCAA freezing investigations into third-party NIL activities after judge granted injunction
Recommendation
-
A stowaway groundhog is elevated to local icon
-
More than 100,000 mouthwash bottles recalled for increased risk of poisoning children
-
Missouri police charge man with 2 counts first-degree murder after officer, court employee shot
-
New Jersey businessman pleads guilty and agrees to cooperate in case against Sen. Bob Menendez
-
Giants trading Jordan Phillips to Cowboys in rare deal between NFC East rivals
-
'White Christmas' child star Anne Whitfield dies after 'unexpected accident,' family says
-
Clippers guard Russell Westbrook breaks left hand in first half against Wizards
-
Here’s How You Can Get 85% off Anthropologie and Score Secret Deals