Governor DeSantis Announces Help for SeaPort to Rebuild After Hurricane Milton

PALMETTO, Florida. – Governor Ron DeSantis held a press conference Monday afternoon at SeaPort Manatee to detail Florida’s recovery effort after Hurricane Milton.

DeSantis spoke from SeaPort Manatee to announce that Florida will provide $9.5 million in state aid to boost the port’s reconstruction efforts after the storm.

“We want to ensure as little supply chain disruption as possible,” DeSantis said.

According to the governor, SeaPort Manatee is estimated to have suffered nearly $200 million in damage from Hurricane Milton, but not everyone was insured.

DeSantis said, “Damage to the port includes the loss of ten of the 13 warehouses on site, three of the ten ports and docking facilities, as well as damage to its offices.”

DeSantis providing aid to SeaPort Manatee after Hurricane Milton.

The $9.5 million in state aid allocates money for “$5.5 million for emergency dock repairs and dredging, $3.5 million for immediate security and access control needs, and $500,000 to support planning activities for fortification of port infrastructure,” according to DeSantis.

The state will also provide SeaPort with FDOT workers, expedited permits and deploy the Florida National Guard for temporary security needs.

SeaPort Manatee is a critical port in Florida’s supply chain. It serves as Southeast Florida’s main port for the import of various products, such as fuel, fruit, vegetable oils, appliances, construction materials and lumber.

According to DeSantis, SeaPort Manatee supports “42,000 U.S. jobs, generated $275 million in state and local revenue and contributed $7.3 billion in economic value to the economy.”

DeSantis also reviewed a number of other steps the state has taken to help recover from Hurricane Milton. These include the opening of 12 fuel distribution sites that will give ten gallons of gasoline free to any resident in need.

Fuel distribution locations are located at the following 12 locations, open from 10am to 7pm:

1. Arcadia: South Florida State College – Desoto Center, 2251 NE Turner Ave
2. Bradenton:Bradenton Motorsports Park, 21000 E. State Road 64 Tropicana Rail Yard, 1706 9th St E
3. Bradenton Motorsports Park, 21000 E. State Road 64
4. Tropicana Rail Yard, 1706 9th St E
5. Wide: Largo Mary Grizzle State Office, 11351 Ulmerton Rd
6. North Port: Suncoast Technical College, Northport 4445 Career Lane
7. Plant city: Plant City Stadium, 1810 S Park Rd.
8. Port Charlotte: Charlotte Sports Park, 2300 El Jobean
9. Port Richey: Gulf View Shopping Center, 9409 US-19
10. Saint Petersburg: Central Lot – Parking, 800 1st Ave S
11. Cover: East Bay Lane, 6311 Burts Rd
12. Tarpon Sources: Pete College Tarpon Springs, 600 E Klosterman Rd
13. Wesleyan Chapel: Wiregrass Mall, 28211 Paseo Dr.

DeSantis also said the state released 2.4 million gallons of gasoline directly to residents and the supply chain from its gasoline reserve. The Florida Highway Patrol escorted more than 100 truck drivers from ports across the state to gas stations.

DeSantis was joined by Kevin Guthrie, Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, Jared Perdue, Secretary of the Florida Department of Transportation, and Major General John D. Haas, Adjutant General of Florida.

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