Port Tampa Bay, a crucial hub for Florida's fuel supply, has emerged relatively unscathed from the impact of Hurricane Milton, according to reports from Tampa officials.
Mayor Jane Castor, who conducted an aerial assessment of the port, confirmed that the infrastructure appeared to have sustained minimal damage. She noted that while one fuel container had its roof peeled back, overall, the port seemed to be in good condition.
Governor Ron DeSantis echoed Castor's sentiments, stating that the initial evaluation indicated that Port Tampa Bay would likely be able to resume operations swiftly.
Castor expressed gratitude that Hurricane Milton veered south before reaching land, sparing the region from catastrophic storm surge. She emphasized the potential dire consequences if the storm had made landfall on the northern side.
The reassurance provided by Mayor Castor and Governor DeSantis offers a sense of relief to residents and businesses reliant on the port for fuel supply. With the port expected to quickly return to normal operations, concerns about fuel availability in the aftermath of the hurricane are alleviated.