Staff Reports
In the sunshine state of Florida, the aftermath of tornadoes and Hurricane Milton has left many residents struggling, especially with fuel and power shortages. Congressman Greg Steube, who represents some of the hardest-hit areas, reported significant issues with fuel availability. Many residents, dependent on fuel for generators during power outages, are facing long lines at gas stations or finding stations out of fuel altogether. This has become a frequent occurrence in recent disasters for Floridians.
Steube explained that power outages were widespread but had significantly decreased. While initially, over five million were without power after the storm, the number of affected customers has reduced to around 1.1 million. However, the hardest-hit areas, including those in Steube’s district, saw widespread destruction from tornadoes, which uprooted trees and downed power lines, making recovery efforts even more challenging.
Governor Ron DeSantis has been praised for his leadership during the crisis. The state has opened fuel distribution sites where residents can receive 10 gallons of gasoline for free as they wait for more stations to reopen. Local governments and law enforcement have also been working diligently to clear roads and assess safety on barrier islands before allowing residents to return. These combined efforts show Florida’s resilience in the face of such a severe natural disaster.
Steube mentioned that despite the devastation, residents remain hopeful. His district has endured multiple federally declared disasters recently, with hurricanes Helene and Milton leaving much of the region in need of recovery. The community is rallying together, and efforts are underway to restore power and infrastructure with the help of over 50,000 linemen brought in from across the country.
With airports and schools also affected, the road to recovery is complex, but Florida’s spirit remains unbroken as the state looks to bounce back from yet another calamity.
