Current:Home > StocksDeSantis praises Milton recovery efforts as rising flood waters persist in Florida -ProfitClass
DeSantis praises Milton recovery efforts as rising flood waters persist in Florida
View
Date:2025-04-15 20:45:45
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! (859)
Related
- The Daily Money: Disney+ wants your dollars
- Horoscopes Today, May 30, 2024
- NCAA, states reach agreement in lawsuit to permanently allow multiple-transfer athletes to compete
- 5 killed in fiery crash on South Carolina road in coastal area, police say
- Louisiana high court temporarily removes Judge Eboni Johnson Rose from Baton Rouge bench amid probe
- World No. 1 Nelly Korda makes a 10 on par-3 12th at 2024 U.S. Women's Open
- Evers appoints replacement for University of Wisconsin regent who refuses to step down
- Tesla recalling more than 125,000 vehicles to fix seat belt warning system
- Olympic disqualification of gold medal hopeful exposes 'dark side' of women's wrestling
- Boeing shows feds its plan to fix aircraft safety 4 months after midair blowout
Ranking
- Illinois Gov. Pritzker calls for sheriff to resign after Sonya Massey shooting
- Domino's, Uber Eats team up to give away $10 million in free pizza: Here's how to get one
- Khloe Kardashian Shares NSFW Confession About Her Vagina
- What it was like in the courtroom as Trump's guilty verdict was read
- What were Tom Selleck's juicy final 'Blue Bloods' words in Reagan family
- Sixth Outer Banks house collapse since 2020: Photos capture damage as erosion threatens beachfront property
- Safety-net health clinics cut services and staff amid Medicaid unwinding
- In search of new shows this summer? Here's the best TV to add to your list
Recommendation
Retirement planning: 3 crucial moves everyone should make before 2025
Texas Democrat who joined GOP in supporting ban on gender-affirming care for minors loses primary
The Ultimate Lord of the Rings Gift Guide for Everyone in Middle-Earth
12-year-old Bruhat Soma wins 96th Scripps National Spelling Bee in spell-off
North Carolina justices rule for restaurants in COVID
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Late Night
Federal officials are investigating another close call between planes at Reagan National Airport
Nurse fired for calling Gaza war genocide while accepting compassion award