BRANDON, Florida, USA (AP) — While recovering from the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, Florida residents spent much of Saturday searching for gasoline, with lines wrapping around stations and a fuel shortage affecting the entire state.
In St. Petersburg, dozens of people formed a line at a gas station without fuel, waiting for it to arrive soon. Among them were Daniel Thornton and his 9-year-old daughter, Magnolia, who arrived at 7 in the morning and were still waiting four hours later.
"They told me the gasoline was on its way, but they didn't know when it would arrive," he said. "I have no choice. I have to stay here all day with her until there is gasoline."
Governor Ron DeSantis told reporters on Saturday morning that the state had opened three fuel distribution centers and planned to open several more. Each resident could get 10 gallons (37.85 liters) for free, he noted.
"Obviously, as the energy is restored... and the Tampa port is opened, you will see the fuel flowing. But in the meantime, we want to give people another option," DeSantis pointed out.
The authorities were replenishing the area's gas stations with state reserves and providing generators to stations that were still without electricity.
The fuel shortage occurs as residents, many of whom traveled hundreds of kilometers to escape the hurricane, made the slow journey back home on crowded highways.
Milton caused the death of at least 10 people when it hit central Florida, flooding barrier islands, tearing off the roof of the Tampa Bay Rays baseball stadium, and generating deadly tornadoes.
Authorities pointed out that the number of victims could have been higher if it weren't for the widespread evacuations.
By Saturday, more than 1,000 people had been rescued following the storm, DeSantis said.
Biden will visit Florida
On Sunday, President Joe Biden will inspect the devastation inflicted by the hurricane on the coast of Florida in the Gulf of Mexico. He noted that he expects to get in touch with Governor DeSantis during the visit.
The trip offers Biden another opportunity to pressure Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson to urge Washington lawmakers to approve more funding during their pre-election recess. Johnson has said he will not do so.
Biden argues that Congress needs to act now to ensure that the Small Business Administration and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have the necessary funds for the hurricane season, which extends until November in the Atlantic. The president said on Friday that Milton caused damages estimated at 50 billion dollars.
DeSantis welcomed the approval of the disaster declaration by the federal government, which was announced on Saturday, and said he had received great support from Biden.
Security threats continue, including river floods.
As the recovery continues, DeSantis warned the population to be careful, mentioning security threats such as downed power lines and stagnant water.
By Saturday afternoon, around 1.5 million state customers were still without electricity, according to poweroutage.us. The 260,000 residents of St. Petersburg were advised to boil water before drinking, cooking, or brushing their teeth, at least until Monday.