US President Joe Biden personally saw the destruction and debris-covered streets streets in Florida yesterday and pledged to continue supporting the state's recovery from Hurricane Milton, the second powerful storm to hit the region in recent weeks, Reuters reported, citing BTA.
Flooding, fuel shortages and power outages are hampering recovery efforts from Milton, which made landfall as a Category 3 hurricane. The devastation is even more extensive due to the fact that "Milton" was preceded by another destructive hurricane "Helene". Recovery is expected to take a long time as the two storms hit within two weeks.
Residents of hard-hit St. Pete Beach are "devastated and exhausted, and the costs are piling up," Biden said after touring the barrier island.
"I know you are concerned about clearing the debris and it is obvious why," the president said, speaking outside the wrecked beach house. "There is still a lot of work to be done. We are doing everything we can," he added.
Meanwhile, the National Weather Service warned that flooding in Tampa Bay and the Sanford area, northeast of Orlando, is expected to continue.
"River levels continue to rise," Florida Department of Emergency Management Executive Director Kevin Guthrie told reporters at a separate news conference with state Gov. Ron DeSantis, adding that some residents should prepare for evacuation if necessary.
About 75% of power in Florida has been restored, with full restoration expected by tomorrow evening, said Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, who accompanied Biden. Five days after the hurricane, about 818,000 customers are still without power, Desantis said.
About a third of Florida gas stations are out of fuel, including nearly 88 percent of those around Tampa, GasBuddy.com analyst Patrick DeHaan wrote on the "X" platform.
Biden got a bird's-eye view of the devastation as his helicopter flew along Florida's west coast from Tampa to St. Petersburg over golf courses, waterfront skyscrapers and destroyed neighborhoods, including the destroyed roof of the Tampa Bay Rays baseball stadium. - Tropicana Field.
"Milton" caused the death of at least 17 people, which is far fewer than those who died during the passage of "Helene" - over 200. The lower death toll is likely due in part to the fact that more people heeded the calls to evacuate before the second hurricane.
Although "Milton" had it been less devastating than initial estimates, analysts estimate insured losses at $30 billion to $60 billion.
Biden approved federal aid to cover the costs of residents and local governments, and yesterday announced an additional $612 million to fund six new utility projects in affected municipalities. Although the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has funds available to meet immediate needs, the Biden administration is asking for more money from
Congress, given that more disasters are possible in the remaining seven weeks of the hurricane season.
A number of local officials greeted or accompanied Biden on his tour, including Florida Republican Rep. Anna Luna.
Republican Gov. DeSantis, who did not join Biden on his post-"Helen" visit, also declined the White House's latest invitation, and Biden told reporters he had not spoken to the governor. At a press briefing amid the destruction of Treasure Island, Deantis didn't even mention Biden's visit. He said the state will clear as much debris as possible over the next three months to take advantage of federal aid.