Desantis Announces $9.5m for Rebuilding Seaport Manatee Infrastructure Damaged by Hurricane Milton
According to WFLA, speaking at SeaPort Manatee, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced the state is providing $9.5 million to the port to repair infrastructure damaged during Hurricane Milton.
SeaPort Manatee is southwest Florida’s primary deep-water seaport and initial damage assessments following Hurricane Milton indicated potential losses of $225 million, the governor said.
Damage to the port includes the loss of 10 out of 13 on-site warehouses, 3 of the 10 port-owned docking facilities, and widespread damage to port offices.
“This action to get SeaPort Manatee back to full operations will benefit the people of Florida, ensure the hardening of our infrastructure for future disasters, and ensure normal life is resumed for Floridians as soon as possible,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Taking action to address these impacts now is imperative to keep Florida on the road to recovery.”
DeSantis said the state’s goal is to minimize supply chain interruptions that would affect Floridians in need, which is why Florida is investing in the rebuild.
The governor said for every $1 the state invests in the port, it would receive a $7 return on investment.
DeSantis said around 3.8 million Floridians have had power restored, about 97% of the population. Only 369,000 customers are currently without power.
Yesterday, DeSantis announced Florida has secured approval for a major disaster declaration from FEMA.
When requesting FEMA aid, Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie stressed that Floridians should make separate requests for damages suffered from Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton. Guthrie stressed trying to conflate the two storms into a single request would only delay getting assistance.
