As Tampa Bay dried out from the devastation caused by back-to-back hurricanes Milton and Helene, President Joe Biden visited the storm-hit region on Sunday, announcing significant funding to assist with recovery efforts. Standing outside a storm-battered home in St. Pete Beach, the president pledged $612 million in new investments aimed at helping Florida rebuild after the destructive storms.
Supporting Florida’s Recovery
President Biden met with Florida’s Department of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie in St. Pete Beach to assess the damage firsthand. During his visit, Biden emphasized the need for rapid recovery efforts, explaining that the new federal funds would go toward strengthening Florida’s electric grids and making them more resilient to future extreme weather events.
Among the funding initiatives, $47 million is allocated to Florida Power & Light, and another $47 million is earmarked for Gainesville Regional Utilities. These investments are designed to help reduce the frequency and duration of power outages in the face of more frequent and severe storms.
Biden sympathized with the residents of the storm-ravaged areas, sharing his own experience of losing possessions when his home was struck by lightning years ago. “Small business owners here and homeowners have taken a real beating in the back-to-back storms, and they’re heartbroken and exhausted,” Biden said, stressing the importance of aiding Floridians during this difficult time.
Federal Assistance at the Forefront
The scale of the response to hurricanes Milton and Helene is historic. Biden noted that over 250,000 Floridians had signed up for FEMA assistance on Saturday, following the major disaster declaration. He said the recovery effort would involve all levels of government and various agencies, including FEMA, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Army Corps of Engineers, and the Department of Energy.
U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm added that numerous projects were already underway to reinforce Florida’s infrastructure. Efforts include undergrounding power lines, raising substations vulnerable to flooding, and using advanced technology to identify blackouts before they happen. These measures are part of a broader $2.5 billion investment in the southeastern U.S. to make energy systems more resilient.
“These investments won’t prevent the next storm, but they will make sure that in the future, we can recover more quickly,” Granholm said.
Community Resilience
St. Pete Beach Mayor Adrian Petrila praised FEMA’s resources, calling them a “lifeline” for the community in the aftermath of the hurricanes. “We have been beaten, we have been battered, but we will not be broken,” Petrila said. He pledged that the community would rebuild stronger and more resilient than before.
Pinellas County Commission Chairperson Kathleen Peters highlighted the importance of classifying both storms as a single national disaster. This, she said, would help cut through red tape and expedite the recovery process. “This is a storm we’ll never forget, but it’s what’s going to make us stronger and better,” Peters added.
Across Tampa Bay, signs of recovery began to emerge. Tree cutters worked to clear fallen oaks and pines, while utility crews repaired power lines in the sweltering heat. Still, by Sunday evening, Duke Energy reported 225,000 customers in Pinellas County were without power, with Tampa Electric Co. reporting nearly 291,000 customers out of service. Both companies expected to have power restored by midweek.
Fuel Shortages and Recovery Efforts
While some residents faced long lines at gas stations, others found relief as fuel deliveries resumed at commercial stations. At a Sam’s Club in Lutz, for example, wait times were reduced to 15 minutes, a sharp drop from the hours-long queues seen the previous day.
However, state-operated gas distribution sites, where residents could receive up to 10 gallons of fuel for free, continued to experience long waits. In St. Petersburg, some drivers reported waiting in line for up to four hours.
State and Federal Collaboration
At a news conference in Treasure Island, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that FEMA had approved a 100% reimbursement rate for debris removal in impacted areas for the next 90 days. Ordinarily, the federal government covers 75% of debris removal costs, with the state and local governments sharing the remaining burden.
DeSantis urged local governments to take advantage of the federal assistance by expediting debris removal efforts. “If you wait, if it takes a year, then you’re not gonna get the bang for the buck,” DeSantis said, emphasizing the importance of acting swiftly.
Notably, DeSantis’ press conference took place just miles from where President Biden addressed the public earlier in the day. According to reports, the White House had invited DeSantis to join Biden’s tour of Pinellas County, but there was no response from the governor’s office.
Bipartisan Support
Despite any political differences, Biden’s visit to Florida underscored a unified effort to support those affected by the hurricanes. Biden met with leaders from both parties, including Sen. Rick Scott, U.S. Reps. Kathy Castor and Anna Paulina Luna, and mayors Jane Castor of Tampa and Ken Welch of St. Petersburg.
In his remarks, Biden praised the collaboration between state and federal agencies and thanked the first responders and linemen from 43 states who had helped restore power to more than 2 million customers so far. “In moments like this, we come together to take care of each other, not as Democrats or Republicans, but as Americans,” Biden said.
Signs of Hope and Challenges Ahead
While the situation in Pinellas County and other parts of Tampa Bay remains dire, there are glimmers of hope. Fallen trees are being cleared, power is being restored, and local businesses are reopening. But the road to full recovery will take time and a sustained effort from both state and federal agencies.
For residents like Amanda Smoot, who spent hours in line for fuel, the reality of life after the hurricanes is harsh. “I don’t think the news has really prepared people for how long the lines are,” Smoot said, reflecting on the challenges faced by so many across the region.
As the days progress, recovery efforts will continue to ramp up. With the promise of federal assistance and a collaborative effort between local, state, and federal officials, Florida is slowly but surely moving toward rebuilding after the devastation caused by hurricanes Milton and Helene.
