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Governor calls for increased transparency in storm debris pick up

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Updated  October 13, 2024 4:32pm EDT
Hurricane Milton
FOX 13 News

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    TREASURE ISLAND - Governor Ron DeSantis held a news conference Sunday from Treasure Island on Florida’s response to Hurricane Milton.

    DeSantis said Florida is taking advantage of President Joe Biden’s Emergency Declaration in Florida that allows the state to get reimbursed for 100% of the cost of hurricane-related debris removal for 90 days.

    "We're continuing to make sure those missions are complete. But we want to utilize the resources we have to get this debris done and help our local communities as much as possible," DeSantis said.

    READ MORE: Hurricane Milton: Death toll rises as Florida recovers from damage

    DeSantis went on to say the state has "committed 442 pieces of heavy equipment, 655 crew members, for debris pickup missions throughout the impacted area already."

    DeSantis also announced the State of Florida Debris Transparency Portal, designed to promote public transparency in daily debris pickup.

    "It will list each locality responsible for debris cleanup and the amount of debris they get picked up each day," DeSantis said. "We just want to make sure that there's full transparency and that we're utilizing this great opportunity to get this 90 days of reimbursement by FEMA." 

    DeSantis also reviewed other measures the state has taken to aid Floridians recovering from Hurricane Milton.

    DeSantis said that nine locations are now operational in the greater Tampa Bay area to provide free gasoline to anyone who needs it.

    DeSantis also said that the Florida Highway Patrol is escorting gas truckers to service stations around the state. Both the Port of Tampa and Manatee’s SeaPort are now fully operational and "bringing in a lot of gas." 

    According to DeSantis, power restorations are ongoing. In most counties in western Florida, less than 25 percent of households are without power. Forty out of 50 of Florida’s closed school districts will be open for school on Monday, and all but one of Florida’s airports are now open and operational.

    Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie, Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue, and Major General John D. Haas, Adjutant General of Florida, will join DeSantis.

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