Following the departure of Hurricane Milton, the scale of devastation and damage throughout Florida is becoming increasingly evident. At least 16 fatalities have been confirmed, with the number expected to rise as search and rescue operations continue. Meanwhile, over 2.5 million customers remained without power across the state on Friday morning.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis acknowledged on Thursday that the total number of deaths remains uncertain. Earlier, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas noted that many of the fatalities were likely caused by tornadoes linked to the storm and assured the public that efforts were underway to prevent the death toll from increasing.
President Biden addressed the nation on Thursday, providing updates on federal aid efforts in the aftermath of the hurricane. He urged residents in affected areas to remain cautious and heed local authorities' instructions as hazardous conditions linger. "We've had search and rescue teams at the ready for any calls for help this morning," he stated from the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.
The president underscored the importance of waiting for official clearance before venturing outside, citing past experiences where post-storm conditions led to additional casualties.
Biden also called on lawmakers to expedite emergency funding, particularly for small businesses facing financial strain as a result of the disaster. He expressed concern that the disaster relief fund for business loans is running low. However, he noted that he has not yet spoken with House Speaker Mike Johnson about reconvening Congress before the upcoming Election Day. Johnson previously asserted that FEMA and the administration have adequate resources to address immediate needs.
As the recovery efforts continue, Florida has entered its second day of search and rescue operations, with urban teams and the Florida National Guard reportedly rescuing nearly a thousand people since Milton's landfall. Communities are still grappling with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which struck just two weeks prior.
Additionally, the Coast Guard announced the reopening of several commercial ports, including Key West, Port Everglades, and Port Miami in Florida, as well as ports in Georgia and South Carolina.
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