Governor DeSantis emphasized the need for quick debris removal following President Biden’s approval of 100 percent reimbursement for debris removal projects in Florida for 90 days. Recovery efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton are progressing well, with barrier islands reopening, power restored to over 2.6 million residents, schools preparing to reopen, and fuel distribution underway. Assistance from 20 states, including aircraft, National Guardsmen, and linemen, has been crucial for emergency response. Free fuel distribution centers have been established, and school districts are set to reopen soon. President Biden approved disaster declarations for 34 counties and the Miccosukee Tribe, providing federal assistance. Governor DeSantis urged local governments to utilize the 100 percent debris reimbursement to expedite clean-up efforts. FEMA has allocated $200 million for emergency measures, with additional support available for housing and repairs. President Biden is expected to visit Florida to assess the damage caused by Hurricane Milton. DeSantis previously stated that the damage he observed on Siesta Key seemed to be from Hurricane Helene. However, Hurricane Milton brought strong winds and heavy rains when it made landfall in Sarasota County on Oct. 9. While the impact of Hurricane Milton was not as severe as anticipated, it still caused destruction across the peninsula.
Helene is remembered for its record storm surge, while Milton left catastrophic winds and up to 18 inches of rain, leading to severe flash flooding. Anthony Pallaria, owner of Sea Shanty and Meaney’s Mini Donuts in Siesta Key Village, noted that Milton’s impact was not as significant as the storm surge from Helene.
Although Milton only caused three inches of flooding in his shops compared to three and a half feet from Helene, the debris and destruction from Milton were more severe for Siesta Key. The storm surge led to standing water and flooding on the streets even after the storm passed.
In other areas, more than five feet of storm surge was recorded, along with severe winds that caused damage to homes and infrastructure. Wind speeds of over 100 mph were reported in various locations, causing significant damage to structures like the roof of Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg.
Despite efforts to clear debris left by Helene, many communities still had debris on the streets when Milton hit. The impact of Milton also caused concerns about the remaining debris and the challenges it posed during the storm.
As of Oct. 12, the state reported more than 15 fatalities and over 1.4 million people without power. Urban search and rescue teams, along with the Florida National Guard, have been working to rescue individuals and pets affected by the storm.
Milton’s outer bands also spawned a record number of tornadoes across the state, causing significant damage in some areas. At least four storm-related fatalities were attributed to a tornado in Port St. Lucie.
Rescue operations are ongoing, and the aftermath of Hurricane Milton continues to impact communities across Florida. Please rewrite this sentence.
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