Drew Dixon
The state of emergency in advance of Tropical Storm Milton declared Saturday by Gov. Ron DeSantis and covered about 35 Florida counties was expanded to cover 54 counties as of Sunday.
DeSantis held a news conference in Tallahassee and urged Floridians to go through the preparations for the impending storm which could hit the Gulf Coast near Tampa Wednesday heading into Thursday. DeSantis said it’s a little bit of a repeat of preparing after the state is still digging out from Hurricane Helene which slammed Florida’s Big Bend area Sept. 26.
He urged residents of the entire Gulf Coast of Florida to begin preparations and evacuation routes. Milton, which could evolve into a Category 3 hurricane by the time it makes landfall, is going to be a major challenge for many communities that just endured Helene.
“For these communities that have already been hit, it’s not easy,” DeSantis said. “But we’ll get through it.”
Milton was a tropical storm with winds of 60 mph about 860 miles west, southwest of Tampa. But DeSantis said the National Hurricane Center forecast cone engulfs most of the West Coast of Florida.
“Stay safe on this, you do have time to prepare… . But this could be a potential major hurricane,” he said. “Don’t get wedded to where the landfall is predicted right now” as Milton could shift to varying degrees.
“Its going to go across the state and likely have hurricane force winds as it goes into the Atlantic,” he said.
Meanwhile, the clean up from Hurricane Helene has been ongoing for much of the Gulf Coast of Florida since Sept. 26. DeSantis said despite rumors, state officials are continuing those debris cleanup operations and with Milton approaching, they’ll continue those debris removal and site collections 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
“It’s important for all of our local counties to continue debris removal,” DeSanis said.
The Governor acknowledged having yet another major hurricane slam Florida about two weeks after Helene is a bitter pill to swallow for Floridians. But he encourages residents of the state to brace for getting through a major challenge.
“Residents get fatigued by this,” DeSantis said. “So, that is a very trying time. You get through that and you’re resilient… . I just think from an emotional perspective, I think it’s tough.
“From an operational perspective, we just sort of assumed that this would happen,” DeSantis said. “In terms of preparation, we’re doing the same as we would do in any situation.”
10 comments
Michael K
October 6, 2024 at 11:02 am
It’s long past time for climate deniers to wake up and realize that “knock on wood” and eliminating the words “climate change” is irresponsible public policy. We need action.
A day without Libturds
October 6, 2024 at 12:01 pm
Correlation does not prove causation, retard.
A Day without MAGA
October 6, 2024 at 11:57 am
The eyewall is moving south it, is about 40 miles south of Tampa on the 10 pm forecast track ,moving closer too Venice and Port Charlotte area
A day without Libturds
October 6, 2024 at 12:03 pm
I’ll get the updates from a reputable source. Not some pathetic libturd piece of shit, thanks.
Bill
October 6, 2024 at 1:21 pm
Were you born an a-hole or did you just grow into one? Seriously, if we want crap from you, we’d squeeze your head you angry little troll.
Michael K
October 6, 2024 at 1:25 pm
She has multiple personalities, but this one is the nasty and vulgar personal insults version.
A day (and many more) with libturds
October 6, 2024 at 3:05 pm
She’s getting bitter because the end is near. The blue wave is coming!!! And it’s going to sweep everyone off their feet! Ooooooo be afraid be very afraaaaaaid!
yew oweme
October 9, 2024 at 12:00 am
turdlip, what do you do, lick your finger and stick it in the wind. turdlip, what a weird name you have.
Michael K
October 6, 2024 at 5:04 pm
Fun fact: climate science is a discipline. Mexico’s new present is a Climate Scientist. Scientists have been telling us for decades that carbon emissions from burning fossil fuels is destroying our planet. Yes, climate change is real and caused by humans. Some politicians refuse to accept this, not because of science but because of campaign cash and lobbyists. They are unwilling to think long term – only as far as the next election cycle.
Tom
October 7, 2024 at 7:21 am
I was reading something recently, and it pointed out that anything we do now to stem climate change will mainly benefit future generations who are not yet born. It’s awfully hard to get people to care about those who don’t actually exist let alone thinking past the next political cycle. There are 535 members of congress and 12,176 registered lobbyists. Not hard to figure out what’s going on. It’s all about the money.
Comments are closed.