Florida declares emergency ahead of Tropical Storm Milton amid Helene recoveries

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency in 35 counties on Saturday as Tropical Storm Milton, currently gathering strength in the western Gulf of Mexico, threatens to strike the state next week. This warning comes while Florida is still grappling with the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, which battered the region less than two weeks ago.

Milton is forecast to intensify into a major hurricane, potentially reaching Florida’s west coast by midweek, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). The storm’s projected path could bring severe weather to areas still recovering from the damage inflicted by Hurricane Helene, which made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane with winds of 140 miles per hour on September 26. Helene’s rampage left 14 people dead in Florida and caused catastrophic flooding as it moved through Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina, claiming at least 220 lives.

In anticipation of Milton’s arrival, DeSantis emphasized the state’s preparedness in a post on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter: “We will continue staging state assets to prepare for efficient search and rescue, power restoration, and roadway clearing.”

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) on Saturday warned of Milton’s potential to rapidly intensify over the next few days, with the possibility of life-threatening impacts on Florida’s west coast by Tuesday or Wednesday. Initial projections show the storm crossing Florida and entering the Atlantic Ocean, possibly sparing inland regions like the mountains of North Carolina, which saw severe flooding from Helene.

The timing of Milton’s approach is particularly sensitive, with both Georgia and North Carolina expected to play significant roles in the upcoming presidential election. Recovery efforts in these states have become a contentious political issue, particularly following Hurricane Helene.

Republican candidate Donald Trump has made baseless claims about the federal government’s response to Helene, alleging that relief funds were diverted to other causes, including migrant aid. The White House condemned these remarks on Saturday, calling them “dangerous” and accusing “scam artists, bad-faith actors, and others who want to sow chaos” of using misinformation for political gain.

“This is wrong, dangerous, and it must stop immediately,” said Ben LaBolt, White House communications director, in a joint statement with digital strategy director Christian Tom.

Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, visited North Carolina on Saturday to assess recovery efforts from Helene. During her visit, Harris announced additional federal funding aimed at restoring infrastructure, including a key highway heavily damaged by the hurricane.

With Milton threatening to bring further destruction to already vulnerable communities, Florida and other southern states are bracing for another round of extreme weather in an already tumultuous hurricane season.