At least 16 people have died from Hurricane Milton, which roared onshore on Florida's west coast as a Category 3 hurricane, bringing tornadoes, powerful winds and flooding rains. The monster storm forced millions to evacuate and left widespread destruction across Florida.
24% of Florida gas stations without fuel: GasBuddy
As of Wednesday afternoon, 24% of Florida gas stations were without fuel, according to GasBuddy.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Wednesday that there’s no fuel shortage but he acknowledged "demand is high and some gas stations have run out."
The Florida Highway Patrol has been escorting fuel tankers to ensure continued supply, especially to ports like Tampa Bay and Manatee, which may face disruptions, he said.
"We've dispatched 1.6 million gallons of diesel and 1.1 million gallons of gasoline," he said.
Oct 09, 2024, 1:47 PM EDT
Biden slams Trump for 'onslaught of lies' during hurricane response
President Joe Biden is urging Floridians to take this "storm of the century" seriously.
For those in the Tampa area, Vice President Kamala Harris added, "This is a storm that is expected to be of historic proportion. … It's going to be more dangerous, more deadly and more catastrophic. So please listen to your local officials."
Waves crash along St. Pete Pier in St. Petersburg, Florida, as Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall tonight, Oct. 9, 2024.
Bryan R. Smith/AFP via Getty Images
"If you are told to evacuate, please evacuate immediately. Do not wait until it is too late," she said during a briefing on Wednesday.
He criticized the "reckless, irresponsible, and relentless promotion of disinformation" that’s been spreading since Helene struck the Southeast, adding that it’s "undermining confidence" of rescue and recovery teams and "harmful" to those who "need help the most."
38:52
Biden, Harris give update on Hurricane MiltonLandfall for Hurricane Milton is expected late Wednesday night as a Category 3 hurricane.
ABCNews.com
-ABC News’ Justin Ryan Gomez
Oct 09, 2024, 12:34 PM EDT
'This is a matter of life and death,' Tampa mayor warns
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor warned Wednesday that "the window for evacuation is closing," stressing, "This is a matter of life and death."
"This is going to be a storm of historic proportions," she said.
"The roads look pretty clear right now, so you don’t have to go far," Castor said. "Just get out of the way of that storm surge."
8:29
Tampa mayor gives final warning to those in evacuation zonesTampa Mayor Jane Castor says "time is of the essence" as Hurricane Milton nears landfall.
ABCNews.com
-ABC News’ Jason Volack
Oct 09, 2024, 12:17 PM EDT
Milton response won't impact Helene recovery efforts: FEMA
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell stressed that the response to Hurricane Milton in Florida will not impact the ongoing recovery efforts for Hurricane Helene across the Southeast.
Tampa prepares for the arrival of Hurricane Milton members of the National Guard put up a flood barrier around a waste water facility on Oct. 9, 2024 in Tampa, Fla.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
"These resource movements are not taking away from the ongoing complicated response and recovery we are still working in the aftermath of Helene," Criswell said.
She said FEMA has distributed "over $60 million from our individual assistance program directly to people here in North Carolina" impacted by Helene.
"This is incredible, meaningful progress, and we at FEMA stand ready to both continue this critical work while we respond to Hurricane Milton in the coming days," she said.
