‘It’s too dangerous to evacuate safely': DeSantis urges Floridians to shelter in place as Milton makes landfall

TAMPA, Fla. – Governor Ron DeSantis said, “It’s too dangerous to evacuate safely," and urged Floridians to shelter in place as Milton made landfall as a Category 3 hurricane near Siesta Key in Sarasota County.

Forecasters predicted the storm will retain hurricane strength as it crosses central Florida on Thursday on a path east toward the Atlantic Ocean.

The hurricane’s precise track remained uncertain, as forecasters Tuesday evening nudged its projected path slightly south of Tampa.

Milton continued to weaken in intensity Wednesday afternoon but the storm grew in size and remained an extremely dangerous major hurricane when it hit near Siesta Key in Sarasota County on the west coast of Florida at around 8 p.m., bringing with it 120 mph winds and a devastating storm surge.

Before it made landfall, the storm spawned multiple tornadoes across the state causing widespread damage.

At 7 p.m., there were already nearly 350,000 customers without power in Florida.

The storm sped up as it closed in on landfall. A turn toward the east-northeast and east is expected on Thursday and Friday.

Authorities have issued mandatory evacuation orders across 11 Florida counties with a combined population of about 5.9 million people, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates.

Officials have warned that anyone staying behind must fend for themselves, as first responders are not expected to risk their lives attempting rescues at the height of the storm.

Despite this, some Gulf Coast residents insisted they would stay after millions were ordered to evacuate and officials warned that stragglers would face grim odds of surviving.

The Tampa Bay area, home to more than 3.3 million people, faces the possibility of widespread destruction after avoiding direct hits from major hurricanes for more than a century.

Thousands of fleeing cars clogged Florida’s highways ahead of the storm, but time for evacuations was running out Wednesday.

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor noted that up to 15 feet of storm surge forecast for her city would be deep enough to swallow an entire house.

“So if you’re in it, basically that’s the coffin that you’re in,” Castor said.

Milton targets communities still reeling two weeks after Hurricane Helene flooded streets and homes in western Florida along its devasting march that left at least 230 dead across the South.

State and local governments scrambled ahead of the storm to remove piles of debris left in Helene’s wake, fearing that the oncoming hurricane would turn loose wreckage into flying missiles.

DeSantis said the state deployed over 300 dump trucks that had removed 1,300 loads of debris.

State Preparedness Efforts

• The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) has activated the State Emergency Operations Center to Level 1 since Tuesday, September 24, for Hurricane Helene, and is at a Level 1 for Hurricane Milton as of October 6, leading coordination efforts for the State Emergency Response Team. 
• The State Emergency Response Team is engaged in over 1,800 missions to assist counties in their preparedness efforts. These missions accomplish vital tasks like staging resources to deploy for immediate response as soon as it is safe to do so, protecting critical infrastructure facilities like hospitals and utility stations, and coordinating personnel statewide.
• As of today, October 9, nearly 150 shelters are open, supporting over 31,000 Florida residents ahead of Hurricane Milton’s landfall.
• FDEM has facilitated the distribution of the following items to counties across the state in preparation for Hurricane Milton.:
  • 726,200 liters of water
  • 581,000 MREs
  • 237,000 sandbags
  • Nearly 33,600 tarps kits
• 23 Urban Search and Rescue Teams and 10 Swift Water Teams, including 1,600 personnel staged in areas throughout Florida that are ready to respond to the projected impacted areas of Hurricane Milton.
• FDEM is working with the Coast Guard, National Guard and other state and federal assets. This collaboration with air operations will further enhance their ability to respond effectively to any emergencies that arise. This level of preparedness is critical for ensuring the safety and support of affected communities.
• FDEM is coordinating the deployment of fuel and EV chargers to pre-stage along evacuation routes to support evacuations.
• On October 9, free FDEM evacuation shuttles are operating in Manatee, Pinellas, Pasco, Hillsborough and Sarasota counties helping residents reach shelters for Hurricane Milton. Shuttle locations and times are available at FloridaDisaster.org/Updates under the Evacuation Assistance tab.
• The State of Florida has partnered with Uber to provide residents in mandatory evacuation zones free rides to a local shelter. To get a ride, residents should: open the Uber app, tap Account on the bottom right and tap Wallet, and add promo code MILTONRELIEF. Additionally, residents can find open shelters in their area by visiting FloridaDisaster.org/shelters.
• The Florida National Guard (FLNG) has activated over 5,300 service members for Hurricane Milton preparedness operations.
• FLNG has 18 rotary wing aircraft, approximately 440 high-wheeled tactical vehicles and over a dozen boats prepared to provide search and response and damage assessment support post-storm.
• The Florida State Guard (FSG) has activated and mobilized nearly 200 soldiers in preparation of Hurricane Milton. FSG units answering the call for aid include Crisis Response Battalion (CRB), Aviation Response Squadron (AVS), Maritime Response Squadron (MRS), and Special Missions Unit (SMU).
• FSG units are positioning assets throughout the state to rapidly respond with search and rescue, route clearance, reconnaissance/damage assessments, and distribution of supplies to residents in impacted areas. A CRB team is onsite at the State Logistics Response Center (SLRC) providing operational support.
• Current FSG assets include:
  • 6 search and rescue teams with vessels
  • 2 UH- 60 Blackhawks
  • 10 maritime and flood response teams / 10 vessels
  • 3 highwater UTVs
  • 13 supply distribution UTVs
  • 4 UAS teams
  • 1 incident command vehicle
  • 2 skid steers
  • 2 diesel fuel trailers
  • 2 amphibious rescue vehicles
  • 15 cut and toss crews
• The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) is directing the deployment of an additional 500 out-of-state law enforcement officers. These officers will respond after the storm to help maintain law and order. 
• FDLE’s mutual aid team is managing more than 30 active law enforcement missions with 35 already completed, including identifying post-storm response squads. These missions include:
• Working with DEM to establish a large base camp for first responders in Hillsborough County and identifying additional locations for base camps.
  • FDLE agents are providing security at pre-storm staging areas and will do the same for additional base camps.
  • FDLE will coordinate and operate fuel locations for law enforcement at future base camps.
• Nearly 200 FDLE law enforcement analysts are on standby to help law enforcement officers with reunification efforts for Florida citizens who may lose contact during Hurricane Milton.
• The FDLE Sworn Training Unit cut team is ready to deploy. The team helps with debris removal and making temporary, emergency repairs to the homes of first responders so they can quickly get back to work after a storm.  
• FDLE law enforcement strike teams from Miami and Pensacola are at-the-ready to assist local law enforcement agencies following the storm including violent crime investigations, patrol services and security.  
  • All FDLE special agents are activated to deploy and patrol in impacted areas.  
• FDLE’s communications strike team is poised to support local law enforcement agencies ensuring 911, internet and radio communications work after the storm. 
  • FDLE maintains 250 law enforcement radios for local law enforcement agencies ensuring patrol officers have communications.  
• FDLE aviation assets are prepositioned to conduct overwatch missions for patrol officers.
• The Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs (FDVA) is preparing its State Veterans' Homes in the potential impact area for the arrival of Hurricane Milton. Residents and staff sheltering in place in hardened facilities with full generators.
• Outpatient appointments at VA Clinics in the projected path are being rescheduled or converted to virtual. See www.FloridaVets.org or follow FDVA on social media for closure details.
• State Veterans' Service Officers are available to take your call at (727) 319-7440 or via email at FDVA.VSO@FDVA.FL.GOV.
• The VISN 8 Clinical Contact Center is operational 24/7/365 for virtual care and tele-emergency care to support Florida Veterans enrolled for VA Health Care. Call 1-877-741-3400.
• The State Veterans’ Nursing Homes currently located in the cone are all accepting families of residents to shelter with them, as they are all built to withstand Category 5 hurricane winds and are outside of flood zones.
• The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) has finalized storm preparations to ensure the safety and security of staff and youth in our care. This includes fueling all vehicles, moving vehicles in low-lying and flood-prone areas to higher ground, testing and ensuring adequate fuel supplies for generators in the event of loss of power, and ensuring food, medicine, and emergency supplies are stocked and ready.
• The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has deployed high-water vehicles and all other storm response resources statewide so they may be rapidly deployed to assist Floridians in need in the event of damage or flooding. Contingency plans based on forecasted landfall locations have been developed and remain flexible based on the storm’s projected path.
• In addition to local officers, approximately 132, FWC officers plus additional personnel have deployed to identified staging area ready to respond with a variety of specialized equipment as necessary, such as: 
  • 47 boats including airboats and shallow draft boats
  • ATVs/Side-by-sides
  • 132 high-water capable four-wheel drive vehicles
  • 29 high-water capable swamp buggies and UTVs
  • 3 SOG support trailers
  • 4 aerial surveillance drones
  • Self-sustainment equipment, including BERG container units, hygiene trailers, generators and mobile command posts
  • Fuel trucks
• FWC Special Operations Group (SOG) teams will serve as reconnaissance units for the state and report on damage after the storm has made landfall.
• FWC Aviation Section has been placed on standby and has readied all appropriate aircraft for potential deployment for aerial assistance, reconnaissance, and post-storm damage assessments when needed.
• FWC is urging boat owners to secure their vessels now. Remove your vessel from the water, if that is not possible use all necessary means to secure it
• Local FWC officers have staged in Hillsborough, Manatee, Charlotte, and DeSoto counties and will begin post-storm rescue and recovery efforts once it is safe to do so. They include drone, debris clearing, and strike teams embedded with local law enforcement.
• FWC officers in Marion, Putnam, St. Johns, Flagler, Flagler, Volusia, Seminole, Lake and Sumter counties are prepared with airboats, shallow draft boats, ATVS and UTVs for immediate post-storm response.
• FWC Captive Wildlife Investigators are contacting captive wildlife facilities in the projected path to assist as needed.

Health and Human Services

• The Florida Department of Health (DOH) deployed nearly 600 emergency response vehicles (e.g., ambulances, ambulance buses, paratransit vehicles) to support emergency evacuations and patient transport as needed. Staging is currently in Lee, Osceola, and Pinellas counties.
• DOH is supporting 36 special needs shelters, which are accepting clients, located in the following counties: Alachua (1), Charlotte (1), Citrus (1), Collier (1), DeSoto (1), Hernando (1), Hillsborough (3), Lake (5), Lee (1), Levy (1), Manatee (1), Marion (1), Miami-Dade (1), Okeechobee (1), Orange (3), Osceola (1), Pasco (2), Pinellas (4), Polk (3), St. Lucie (1), and Sarasota (2). Additional special needs shelters are on standby as the storm approaches.
• DOH and the Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) sent information regarding early prescription refills permitted under Executive Order 24-215. This information was sent to the public, health insurers, managed care organizations, pharmacy benefit managers, pharmacy chains and health care providers. 
• The State Surgeon General signed Emergency Order 24-003, which: 
  • Waives competitive procurement requirements in order to procure commodities, goods, and services expeditiously in response to the emergency. 
  • Permits emergency medical transportation services licensed in other U.S. states, territories, and/or districts to operate in Florida in response to the emergency.
  • Permits paramedics, emergency medical technicians, and their medical directors licensed in other U.S. states, territories, or districts to practice in Florida in response to the emergency without penalty.
  • Permits pharmacies and prescription department managers to operate in multiple or mobile locations. 
• The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) has initiated an event in the Health Facility Reporting System (HFRS). Healthcare providers have been requested to provide information on census, available beds, evacuation status, accepting evacuees and generator needs from counties declared under EO-24-114. This information allows AHCA to assist healthcare providers in transferring patients if needed and ensure that healthcare providers in impacted areas have the necessary resources and adequate power.
• AHCA has made nearly 700 provider calls for Hurricane Milton preparation ahead of landfall.
  • 352 health care facilities have reported evacuations. This includes:
  • 19 adult family care home
  • 200 assisted living facilities
  • 4 crisis stabilization and short term RFT
  • 7 hospices
  • 16 hospitals
  • 7 hospitals ED
  • 8 intermediate care facilities for the developmentally disabled
  • 67 nursing homes
  • 3 residential treatment centers for children and adolescents
  • 16 residential treatment facilities
  • 6 Transitional living facilities
• AHCA is conducting daily calls with the Florida Hospital Association and Florida Healthcare Association to ensure nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and hospitals are prepared and have their needs met ahead of Hurricane Milton.
• The Agency has waived all prior authorization requirements for critical Medicaid services beginning October 7, 2024, until further notice.
• 100% of operating long-term care facilities have a generator on-site. The Generator Status Map for long-term care facilities is available here.
• The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is working with Florida’s ports and fuel industry partners to ensure adequate fuel supplies are available, and with Florida’s agricultural partners so producers have adequate resources.
• A total of 11 generators have been requested and deployed to commercial agricultural facilities to prevent disruption to food and agricultural critical infrastructure.
• The Florida Forest Service is staging equipment, like high-water vehicles, dump trucks, bulldozers, and front-end loaders to assist with road clearing.
• The Florida Forest Service and the Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement are supporting the Florida Department of Transportation and Pinellas County with debris removal with ten dump trucks, two front-end loaders, skid steers, and over 20 personnel.
• Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson has approved an emergency order temporarily suspending the intrastate movement requirements for the transportation of animals and livestock fleeing Hurricane Milton. In addition, the following states have waived their interstate import requirements for Florida pets, horses and livestock leaving the state: Alabama, Georgia (does not include livestock), Mississippi, and North Carolina. 
• Commissioner Wilton Simpson has issued an emergency order suspending requirements related to the distribution, delivery, storage, and sale of liquid fuels — such as gasoline and diesel — to assist with efforts to ensure adequate distribution and supply of fuel. 
• Commissioner Wilton Simpson has issued an emergency rule to aid the distribution of liquefied petroleum gas to disaster response and recovery operations.
• The Department is working to connect evacuating horse owners with open public and private facilities across the state.
• The Florida State Fairgrounds has opened the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center on a first come first serve basis for horse owners that are in the direct path of Hurricane Milton. To learn more and reserve a spot, visit floridastatefair.com/equestrian.
• The Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA) is contacting all our Area Agencies on Aging partners to receive updates on their ongoing preparation efforts and gather the status of any unmet needs.
• The Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) continues response and pre-landfall protocols and communication with APD-operated facilities, regions, and providers within the counties under declared state of emergency to provide updates on Hurricane Milton, evacuation orders, office closures, anticipation of unmet needs, and verifying client status.
• The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is preparing for Hurricane Milton and ensuring providers in potentially impacted areas have the resources they need for the storm.
• The Department has secured supplies to ensure readiness in the event the Hope Bus is needed for deployment after landfall.
• DCF is providing information about Hope Florida to evacuation shelters, domestic violence shelters, and other critical partners in advance of the storm.
• DCF is supporting Floridians who need to evacuate by deploying 30 buses to transport Floridians to shelters, staffing and managing 36 shelters, providing 115 nurses to shelters, and delivering over 50 truckloads of food, water, cots, and blankets to shelters.
• DCF has eight mobile kitchens and one fixed kitchen ready to deploy after the storm passes.

Infrastructure, Roads and State Closures

• The Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) Hurricane Milton statewide preparedness efforts include clearing shoulders in preparation for potential Emergency Should Use (ESU):
  • Reviewed flooding vulnerabilities for major roadways and bridges.
  • Inspected and cleared drainage systems, monitoring flood-prone and currently saturated areas, and pre-positioned pumps as appropriate.
  • Tolls have been suspended on facilities in West Florida and Central Florida as well as Alligator Alley and 595 Express to help facilitate traffic flow as Floridians evacuate. Specific details and facilities can be found listed here.
  • FDOT and Florida Highway Patrol have implemented Emergency Shoulder Use (ESU) on eastbound I-4 from Tampa to S.R. 417 in Central Florida and on Northbound I-75 in Tampa from North of I-4 to south of I-10 in Columbia County, and southbound Alligator Alley from S.R 29 to the Everglades Toll Plaza. This operation allows motorists to use the shoulder as an extra lane in designated areas as well as keeps travel available in both directions - helping to get people out and get supplies and resources in.
  • FDOT has mobilized team members to Ocala to prepare for immediate storm response and assist impacted regions.
  • Work has been suspended and project sites secured on construction projects in the counties listed below to ensure all lanes are accessible for evacuations:
    • Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Glades, Hamilton, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Miami Dade, Monroe, Nassau, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Suwannee, Sumter, Taylor, Union, Volusia
  • Secured high mast lighting, maintenance yards, active construction projects, rest areas/welcome centers, service plazas, and weigh stations that had returned to normal since Hurricane Helene.
  • Barges at the Howard Frankland Bridge project have been secured.
  • Barges at the Sanibel Causeway project have been secured.
  • Replenished fuel reserves, checking generator readiness, and pre-positioned assets as appropriate. 
  • Completed repairs on malfunctioning vehicles and equipment in preparation for deployment.
  • In close communication with modal partners – seaports, airports, railroads, transit, and spaceports.
  • Staged ITS trailers, as well as drone teams and equipment are being prepped and ready to deploy as needed.
  • Expanded Road Ranger Service across the impact zones.
• Resources prepped and staged strategically (close to the projected path for quick implementation)
  • Cut & Toss Ops = 360 team members on standby
  • Over 1,015 generators
  • Over 350 pieces of heavy equipment and trucks
  • 67 pumps pre-positioned
  • Satellite internet equipment= 59 Starlink devices
  • Over 1,900 team members on standby for various emergency response efforts, including, damage assessment, flooding, traffic signals outages, etc.
  • FDOT has 21 drone pilots on standby
  • 8 ITS trailers staged
  • Over 150 bridge inspectors on standby
• FDOT has removed 237,448 cubic yards of debris statewide resulting from Hurricane Helene.
• FDOT is supporting our local communities with supplemental sand and debris removal from local roads on the barrier islands in Pinellas and Manatee counties.
• At the direction of Gov. DeSantis, FDOT is coordinating debris removal assignments for the Florida National Guard, Florida State Guard, Florida Highway Patrol, Florida Department of Agriculture, amongst others, who have activated available state personnel and resources to clear and haul remaining debris.
  • 2,241 truckloads and nearly 40,338 cubic yards of debris have been removed from Pinellas County barrier islands.
  • 792 truckloads and over 14,256 cubic yards of debris have been removed from Manatee County barrier islands state roads.
• Major bridges in Tampa Bay are expected to close Wednesday afternoon given the upcoming hazardous weather conditions from Hurricane Milton, including the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, Howard Frankland and Gandy Bridges, and the Courtney Campbell Causeway. Residents should take potential bridge closures into account when planning evacuations as there may come a time when it is no longer safe or possible to evacuate using these bridges.
• FDOT encourages drivers to download the FL511 app or visit FL511.com for road/bridge closures and potential detours that may be activated. Remember to always follow the direction of local law enforcement and emergency personnel.
• Transportation Modes: Seaports, Airports, Rail, and Transit Agencies are preparing for storm conditions.
• Seaports
  • The following seaports are closed waterside: Port of Key West; Port Tampa Bay; Port St. Pete; SeaPort Manatee; Port of Fort Pierce; Port of Palm Beach; Port Fernandina; JAXPORT; Port Canaveral
  • The following seaports are operating waterside with restrictions to inbound vessels: Port Everglades; Port Miami
  • The following seaports are open and monitoring the storm: Port of Pensacola; Port Panama City.
• Airports 
  • The following airports announced suspended or modified flight operations: Daytona Beach International; Lakeland Linder International Airport; Melbourne Orlando International Airport; Orlando International Airport; Orlando Sanford International Airport; Punta Gorda Airport; Sarasota/Bradenton International Airport; Southwest Florida International Airport; St Pete-Clearwater International Airport; Tampa International Airport.
  • Check directly with your airline regarding delays and cancellations.
• Railroads
  • The following passenger rail lines announced suspended or modified service: -Rail; SunRail; Amtrak; Brightline.
  • Check directly with your rail provider for scheduling information.
• Transit
  • The following transit agencies announced suspended or modified service: TECO Line Streetcar; Jacksonville Skyway; St. Johns County Transit; St. Johns River Ferry; Key West Transit; GoPasco; Sarasota County; Charlotte County Transit; Pinellas PSTA; Indian River County; Martin County MARTY; Collier County CAT; St. Lucie County; Brevard County Space Coast Transit; Deerfield Beach Shuttle; Tamarac Shuttle; Dania Beach Shuttle; Davie Shuttle; Pembroke Pines Shuttle; Lighthouse Point Shuttle; Palm Beach County PalmTran.
  • Check directly with your transit provider for scheduling information
• Spaceport
  • Spaceport partners made necessary preparations in anticipation of storm impacts; facilities secured. No Florida scheduled launches during Hurricane Milton.
• Following the issuance of the Governor’s Executive Order, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) issued an Emergency Final Order allowing for the activation of disaster debris management sites to store and process storm generated solid waste and debris.
• DEP’s Emergency Final Order also removes barriers for expediting necessary repair, replacement and restoration of structures, including coastal structures, equipment, surface water management systems, works and other systems that may be damaged by the storm.
• For counties and local governments in need of additional debris disposal locations, especially ahead of Hurricane Milton, DEP has approved all pending Disaster Debris Management Sites (DDMS) site activation requests and stands ready to approve the activation of any additional pre-authorized or new DDMSs that may be needed.
  • Currently, 207 DDMS have been authorized to operate for Hurricane Helene and an additional 91 for Hurricane Milton.
• Hurricane Helene kicked up significant amounts of sediment and sand along the coastlines in and along its path. DEP is working with local governments to manage the excess sand and continue removal efforts.
  • For sand that has accumulated on private properties, residents should return it to the beach if it appears clean, smells fresh and is free of debris. If the sand contains debris, residents should contact their local government to find the nearest disposal site. DEP has worked with counties to establish temporary staging areas to properly screen the sand before it is returned to the beach. There are currently 20 DDMSs managing sand in Pinellas and Manatee counties. 
• DEP is working with Florida’s Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (FlaWARN), the Florida Rural Water Association and other response agencies to ensure preparations are underway to support drinking and wastewater facilities ahead of Hurricane Milton.
• All significant hazardous waste facilities, both phosphate and non-phosphate mines, and all drinking water and wastewater facilities in potentially affected counties have been notified to ensure all pre-storm preparations are being made. 
• DEP has requested a No Action Assurance letter from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to temporarily adjust certain regulatory requirements to ensure the reliability of Florida’s fueling infrastructure in direct support of emergency response and disaster recovery operations.
• Florida’s water management districts are engaging local governments and drainage operators throughout the state to proactively move water into water management district-canal and lake systems to lower water levels in advance of the storm. In addition, they have more than 20 temporary pumps on stand-by to alleviate any potential localized flooding. As part of standard operations, DEP and Florida’s water management districts continue to monitor water systems and river levels as the storm develops.
• The Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) has activated the Tampa Bypass Canal System to help protect the cities of Temple Terrace and Tampa from river flooding. The Hillsborough Flood Detention Area (HFDA) is now considered activated, and the empty reservoir will begin to fill with floodwaters. This action stops all or part of the flow of the Hillsborough River before it reaches the cities of Temple Terrace and Tampa and stores it in the HFDA. The stored water can then be safely moved down to McKay Bay using the Tampa Bypass Canal.
• DEP published a storm updates webpage to keep state park visitors updated of closures: FloridaStateParks.org/StormUpdates. Visitors with existing camping and cabin reservations at closed parks have been notified of their reservation status.
• The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) has staged high-water rescue vehicles in preparation for landfall of Hurricane Milton. 
• FHP is conducting proactive patrols of evacuated communities to suppress criminal activity.
• FHP has facilitated 106 long distance fuel escorts, totaling approximately 965,000 gallons.
• FHP is assisting with aviation patrol of evacuation routes to identify and service-disabled vehicles.
• FHP has increased presence at fuel stations on evacuation routes.
• FHP is mobilizing 74 Quick Response Force (QRF) Troopers to stage in preparation for the incoming storm.
• FHP is mobilizing 7 drone teams to staging areas in preparation for search and rescue operations and damage assessments post-landfall.
• Effective, October 8, all FHP Troops statewide are on Alpha and Bravo shifts. All days off have been canceled.
• FHP worked with its partners at FDOT to prepare and implement the Emergency Shoulder Use (ESU) plan for evacuations on Interstate 4 in the Tampa area and on Interstate 75 North up to Interstate 10.
• FHP Troopers are actively monitoring traffic along the ESU routes to ensure smooth and safe traffic flow.
• FHP’s fleet of 6 skid steers are staging in preparation to deploy to affected areas to clear debris, open roadways, and restore order.
• FHP Troopers are still actively patrolling areas damaged by Hurricane Helene to ensure there are no problems with looting.
• 25 FHP Troopers escorted fuel trucks from Port Tamp and Port Manatee to fueling stations around the Tampa area throughout the night. Additional Troopers will continue these escorts around the clock as long as it is safe to do so until landfall.
• FHP air support is staged and prepared to deploy when needed.
• FHP drone units are deployed assisting ground crews with debris cleanup in Pinellas County.
• The Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) is actively preparing mitigation measures by deploying evacuation assets and has successfully evacuated over 4,500 inmates. Updates will be made available to the public at www.fdc.myflorida.com/weather-updates.
• The Florida Department of Education (DOE) is in close contact with all school districts as Hurricane Milton approaches the coast of Florida. Today, Wednesday, October 9, there are 46 school districts closed in preparation for the storm. For more information on school closures, visit FLDOE.org/storminfo.

Resources for Employees, Businesses and Consumers

• The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) is staging assets and personnel across 13 offices statewide and is prepared to surge resources to areas impacted by Hurricane Helene that receive a second impact from Hurricane Milton.
• Yesterday, DBPR announced that the State of Florida is working with the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association to Waive Pet Policies for Hurricane Milton Evacuees. Lodging operators who have waived pet policies and fees are encouraged to complete DBPR’s Lodging Pet Fee Waiver Information Sheet. For a list of hotels that have waived pet policies and fees, visit myfloridalicense.com/emergency.
• FloridaCommerce is communicating and coordinating with more than 200 private sector partners across the state, encouraging them to review their emergency plans for their businesses and prepare their employees in advance of Hurricane Milton.
• Updates on business closures and business resources are consistently being updated at FloridaDisaster.biz.
• FloridaCommerce is working with private sector banking partners to ensure that evacuees have access to banks and are able to withdraw cash.
• POSTPONED: Due to Hurricane Milton, FloridaCommerce has postponed the One-Stop Business Resource Sites that were expected to open in Citrus, Dixie, Levy, Manatee and Pasco counties.
• The Florida Small Business Development Center Network (SBDC) is coordinating with regional offices to prepare staff and clients ahead of the storm.
• FloridaCommerce and CareerSource Florida continue to host pre-storm briefings with the 21 Local Workforce Development Boards and 38 Community Action Agencies across the state to assist employees and employers after the weather event.
• CareerSource Florida Career Center closures can be found on FloridaDisaster.biz.
• Scenic Stays Vacation Rentals in Northwest Florida has a 35% discount with promotion code MILTON. Go to myscenicstays.com or call 850-407-2244 to book. 
• Wawa stores in Florida are providing free coffee and fountain beverages to all first responders, including National Guard in Florida in appreciation for all they are doing to support and serve our communities during hurricane response and recovery efforts.
• FloridaCommerce is working with VISIT FLORIDA, the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association and other private sector partners to secure lodging for evacuees and first responders in response to Hurricane Milton.
• VISIT FLORIDA Emergency Accommodation Modules on Expedia and Priceline are available to provide real-time hotel availability and lodging resources for impacted Floridians and visitors. 
• Rosen Hotels & Resorts activated its Florida Resident Distress Rates for those in the 51 counties declared as under a state of emergency by Governor Ron DeSantis.
• Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort has extended special offers for Evacuees and First Responders in need of accommodations in the event of an evacuation. Please see the linked pages below for more information. 
  • EVACUEES Good for stays through October 31. Book by October 29
  • FIRST RESPONDERS Good for stays through December 31. Book by December 29.
• FloridaCommerce activated the Private Sector Hotline at (850) 815-4925, open daily 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Inquiries may also be emailed to ESF18@em.myflorida.com.
• FloridaCommerce is hosting daily private sector coordination calls. Briefings will be provided by Emergency Support Functions and private sector partners. For call information email ESF18@em.myflorida.com.
• The state of Florida has worked with the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association and Florida’s hotel industry to waive or relax any no-pet policies so that Hurricane Milton evacuees can safely bring their pets with them to hotels throughout the state. 
• FloridaCommerce has worked with Walmart to successfully identify and secure sites for debris disposal and additional shelters for evacuees.
• Space Florida is securing facilities along the Space Coast in preparation for Hurricane Milton’s arrival.
• FloridaCommerce has worked with Citrus Springs Industrial Holdings to secure water supplies, facilities for sheltering evacuees and land use for fuel truck staging, debris removal and first responder base camps.
• FloridaCommerce has worked with City Furniture to secure first responder lodging in their warehouse facilities.
• Updates on business closures and business resources are consistently being updated at FloridaDisaster.biz.
• Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC) has disaster relief resources and information for Floridians in need of housing option and other housing related support. For more information click here. FHFC has also activated FloridaHousingSearch.org to assist hurricane-impacted Floridians in locating an affordable rental property. This free, statewide search platform is being constantly updated to ensure all listings are accurate. Floridians can also call 1-877-428-8844 for assistance.
• FloridaCommerce is working with FloridaMakes to utilize partner warehouse space for shelters and first responder lodging.
• FloridaCommerce is working with Jet Blue Stadium and Lee County officials to utilize parking lots for fuel truck staging.
• FloridaCommerce is working with Wawa to provide space for evacuees to charge electric vehicles.
• Lowes is working is providing lumber and boarding supplies for distribution to hurricane-impacted communities.
• Comcast has opened more than 261,000 public Xfinity WiFi hotspots in areas it serves across the state. The free and public hotspots are open for anyone to use, including non-Xfinity customers. For more information visit Finder.wifi.xfinity.com.
• Tesla has available charging stations for those evacuating with electric vehicles available at Tesla.com/findus. The live status and availability of superchargers can also be found in the Tesla app.  
• FloridaCommerce has worked with TECO to secure additional staging areas for first responders, debris removal and fuel.
• The Pensacola Bay Center in Downtown Pensacola will open at 6 PM Tuesday for evacuees and is pet friendly.
• The Office of Financial Regulation (OFR) offers online resources to Floridians who may need help finding information about their financial services provider(s), including state-chartered banks and credit unions, mortgage servicers, and other financial businesses and professionals.  
• OIR, in coordination with the Florida Department of Health (DOH), sent information regarding early prescription refills permitted under Executive Order 24-215. This information was sent to the public, health insurers, managed care organizations, pharmacy benefit managers, pharmacy chains, and health care providers. Information can be found here. 
• The Department of Revenue (DOR) has the following update:
• Florida law allows exporters, petroleum carriers, and importers to request a temporary license during a disaster or declared state of emergency. Applicants are not required to submit a fee, secure bonding, or undergo a background check if they apply for and receive a temporary license. Visit the Florida Fuel Tax webpage for more information on Florida’s temporary licensing program: www.floridarevenue.com/taxes/fuel.

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Spencer reported from Fort Myers Beach. Contributing to this report were Associated Press writers Curt Anderson and Kate Payne in Tampa; Freida Frisaro in Fort Lauderdale; Russ Bynum in Savannah, Georgia; Seth Borenstein in Washington and Mark Stevenson in Mexico City.