In the aftermath of the devastating Hurricane Milton, Florida's Governor Ron DeSantis has declared that millions of gallons of gasoline will be distributed free of charge to the beleaguered residents of the Sunshine State.
This announcement came on Saturday, following the state's struggle to recover from the double blow of two hurricanes within a fortnight.
According to The New York Post, the distribution of fuel has already commenced at three locations, with Governor DeSantis promising the opening of additional sites, including one at the Port of Tampa. This move comes in response to the long queues of locals desperate for fuel and the criticism faced by DeSantis over the shortages that ensued in the wake of the twin storms. The first of these, Hurricane Helene, made landfall on September 26.
Governor DeSantis assured residents that they could avail up to 10 free gallons of fuel from the designated distribution centers already operational in Plant City, Bradenton, and St. Petersburg. Plans are underway to establish additional sites in Tampa, Sarasota, and potentially Pinellas County.
Kevin Guthrie, the Emergency Management Director, emphasized that the fuel handout was intended for those "financially struggling." He urged those who could afford to purchase gas to continue doing so at gas stations, as this would be a quicker option. As of Friday afternoon, nearly a third of Florida's gas stations had run dry, as reported by fuel tracking site GasBuddy.
In a bid to expedite the distribution of gasoline, state troopers have been deployed to escort tanker trucks. Furthermore, dozens of distribution sites have been set up across 14 counties to provide meals, water, ice, and tarps to the locals. Guthrie expressed his optimism that the federal government would approve several programs aimed at assisting locals with new housing or the rehabilitation of their current homes.
"We just want people to be able to get what they need," Governor DeSantis stated at a fuel depot in Plant City.
The Category 5 Hurricane Milton, which struck the Gulf Coast of Florida on Wednesday, brought with it a barrage of tornadoes, torrential rains, and high-speed winds. These conditions resulted in power outages for over 4 million people and claimed at least 17 lives. As of Saturday noon, more than 1.5 million people were still without power, highlighting the scale of the crisis that Florida is grappling with.
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