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Ron DeSantis Goes Live, Declares New Hurricane Milton Plan for Florida Residents and Tourists

Ron DeSantis Disney Castle
Credit: Inside the Magic

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has been prepping residents of the state for what is to come regarding Hurricane Milton, and in today’s latest press confrence, he has given further updates on what the state will be doing to aid relief, and what you should be doing if you are in the path of the storm.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Speech ABC News

Credit: Disney/ABC

Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency as Hurricane Milton approaches Florida, with the effects of Hurricane Helene still fresh in the minds of residents. The emergency order covers 51 counties, increasing from an initial 35, as officials prepare for potentially devastating impacts from the incoming storm.

Both Disney World and Universal are impacted by this.

DeSantis emphasized preparedness, urging residents in affected areas to finalize their storm preparations as they brace for what could be a major hurricane.

In a recent press conference, DeSantis addressed the ongoing recovery efforts from Hurricane Helene, which recently made landfall, causing significant damage across the state. This event exacerbated the urgency surrounding preparations for Hurricane Milton, which is expected to bring additional challenges to communities still grappling with the aftermath.

DeSantis stated, “As many continue to recover from Hurricane Helene, I have directed the Florida Division of Emergency Management and the Florida Department of Transportation to coordinate all available personnel and resources.” This proactive approach indicates a focus on expediting debris removal and ensuring that adequate resources are in place for search and rescue operations pending Milton’s arrival.

The Orlando Sentinel shared some direct quotes from DeSantis today, including what residents should prep for when it comes to a loss of power, “That is just something that I think people should prepare for. We already have a lot of crews coming into the state of Florida. They’re going to be staged in different parts of the state of Florida, and they are going to be going as soon as the storm passes. But this is something that potentially would be greater power outages than what we just saw with Hurricane Helene,” he said.

“So Floridians should just be prepared for that. Know if you’re anywhere near that cone, certainly, you should prepare to have power interruptions, that’s just the reality of what we’re dealing with.”

“Put your hurricane preparedness plan in place, make sure your gas tanks are filled. Make sure you have enough water and nonperishable food to last you as long as the power may be out, clear up loose objects in your yard. Obviously, the big debris piles, you need that to get hauled away. But anything other than that that isn’t debris,” he said.

He said to expect both voluntary and mandatory evacuations, especially on the barrier islands, which just saw deadly storm surge because of Hurricane Helene.

Ron DeSantis

Credit: ABC

“If you’re on that West Coast of Florida and barrier islands, just assume that you likely are going to be called upon to evacuate,” he said. “I think, any type of storm that has been dealt with, certainly in recent years, when these storms hit the areas that are on kind of the dirty side of the storm, they’re going to get more storm surge.”

“We are preparing, and I have the state emergency response team preparing for the largest evacuation that we have seen, most likely, since 2017 Hurricane Irma,” he said.

Hurricane Milton’s Forecast and Path

As Hurricane Milton continues to strengthen, forecasts suggest it will reach hurricane status imminently. The National Hurricane Center indicates the storm is expected to make landfall between Cedar Key and Naples, affecting critical areas, including the entire Tampa Bay region. Current predictions anticipate Milton could hit with Category 3 strength, featuring maximum sustained winds of up to 120 mph.

A weather map shows a storm path across the Gulf of Mexico towards the southeastern U.S., marked with color gradients indicating intensity. Inset is an image of a castle with lightning in the background.

Credit: Inside the Magic

The meteorological assessment emphasizes that the storm is intensifying rapidly, with wind speeds already climbing to 60 mph. The combination of low vertical wind shear and warm sea surface temperatures allows Milton to draw energy, leading to its expected upgrade to hurricane status.

DeSantis warned residents that “regardless of the details, there is increasing confidence that a powerful hurricane with life-threatening hazards will affect portions of the Florida west coast.” This statement serves as a critical reminder for Floridians to remain vigilant and prepared for significant wind impacts and structural damage, particularly in areas with lingering debris from Hurricane Helene.

Rainfall and Flooding Risks

A powerful hurricane thrashes a coastal area with fierce winds and heavy rain, bending palm trees and causing waves to crash onto the shore. The sky is a foreboding gray, and flooding is evident as water covers the ground and debris is scattered.

Credit: DisneyDining

Alongside wind concerns, rainfall forecasts suggest significant precipitation is on the horizon. Miami, Orlando, and Tampa are projected to receive between four to eight inches of rain, with some areas possibly exceeding 10 inches. This amount of rainfall could lead to severe flooding, especially in regions that were already hit hard by Hurricane Helene.

The National Hurricane Center has issued flood warnings in anticipation of excessive rainfall across Florida. Residents are being advised to prepare for potential flooding, particularly those in low-lying areas and neighborhoods prone to water accumulation.

Kevin Guthrie, Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, reinforced the urgency by stating, “We are preparing for the largest evacuation since Hurricane Ian.” With time running out for effective preparations, residents are urged to secure their homes and stock up on essential supplies.

Community and Resource Mobilization

In anticipation of Hurricane Milton, extensive community mobilization efforts are underway. DeSantis has directed resources toward debris removal initiatives across regions still recovering from Hurricane Helene. This includes opening disaster debris management sites and landfills to facilitate 24-hour debris drop-off and ensure pathways are cleared ahead of Milton’s impact.

Additionally, officials have announced sandbag distribution sites to assist residents with flooding preparation. Community engagement is critical, as local authorities emphasize that residents should prepare for both voluntary and mandatory evacuations, especially in areas vulnerable to storm surge.

As the storm approaches, DeSantis reiterated the importance of personal preparedness: “Put your hurricane preparedness plan in place, make sure your gas tanks are filled, and have enough water and nonperishable food.” The seriousness of the situation has become a rallying point for local governments and organizations striving to support residents as the looming storm threatens to compound challenges already faced due to recent hurricanes.

Throughout the state, theme parks like Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort are also taking storm preparation measures

In the past, these popular destinations have adjusted their operations, canceling specific events and closing facilities in anticipation of severe weather. While no full park closures have been announced yet, past experiences suggest that if the storm intensifies, more operational changes could follow.

In anticipation of Hurricane Milton, Walt Disney World has temporarily suspended hotel reservations for October 9th and 10th. This suggests that Disney may be preparing for potential evacuations and reserving rooms for Cast Members, known as the ride-out crew.

During past hurricanes, Disney has offered additional services to guests staying at its resorts, including entertainment and activities for children. These measures aim to provide a seamless guest experience, even under challenging weather conditions.

In addressing the community, Governor DeSantis emphasized the need for solidarity and patience.

He said, “We will continue staging state assets to prepare for efficient search and rescue, power restoration, and roadway clearing.” Residents are encouraged to heed local advisories and prepare accordingly, as Hurricane Milton poses an imminent threat to the state of Florida.

Have you ever experienced a hurricane in Florida? Do you think DeSantis is doing enough?

About Alessia Dunn

Orlando theme park lover who loves thrills and theming, with a side of entertainment. You can often catch me at Disney or Universal sipping a cocktail, or crying during Happily Ever After or Fantasmic.

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