On October 9, international media outlets reported that Hurricane “Milton” is poised to make landfall in Florida. In a proactive move, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared a public health emergency for the state on October 8. In light of the approaching storm, President Biden has decided to postpone his trips to Germany and Angola to oversee the federal response to Hurricane “Milton.”
As noted on the White House’s official website, this declaration aims to address the health impacts triggered by Hurricane “Milton,” marking the second public health emergency declaration for Florida within two weeks due to hurricanes. Initially classified as a tropical storm, “Milton” rapidly intensified to a Category 5 hurricane on October 7, was briefly downgraded to a Category 4 on the 8th, and has since been upgraded back to a Category 5, the highest level for hurricane wind speeds.
The National Hurricane Center has warned that “Milton” could potentially become the most destructive hurricane in the recorded history of Florida’s central west region. According to reports from the Associated Press, the hurricane is expected to strike the Tampa Bay area on the night of October 9, prompting mandatory evacuations across various parts of the state.
Florida’s Highway Patrol has reported a surge in traffic on all northbound and eastbound routes, with state police escorting fuel tankers to expedite gasoline transport. Data from the fuel tracking platform GasBuddy indicated that by the afternoon of October 8, 17.4% of gas stations in Florida had run out of fuel, as millions fled from the hurricane’s path. Governor Ron DeSantis mentioned that the Florida Highway Patrol is facilitating fuel deliveries to replenish gas stations.
The imminent hurricane has also caused major disruptions in air travel, with over 700 flights canceled on October 8 and an additional 1,500 on October 9, while several international airports are preparing to close.
In response to the unfolding emergency, President Biden has adjusted his travel plans. After the emergency declaration for Florida, he emphasized to reporters, “This could be the worst storm Florida has faced in over a century. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that, but that’s where we stand.” He urged residents in affected areas to evacuate “as soon as possible,” stressing the critical importance of this action for their safety. Furthermore, Biden noted that while the government prepares for “Milton,” resources are also being allocated to states impacted by Hurricane “Helene,” which made landfall on September 26 as a Category 4 hurricane, resulting in over 230 fatalities across several states, including Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee.
