Looks like Florida just can’t catch a break. Not even two weeks after Hurricane Helene ripped through the state, leaving chaos in its wake, residents are now staring down the barrel of yet another storm. Tropical Storm Milton is making its way through the Gulf of Mexico and, according to the National Hurricane Center, is set to “quickly intensify” and become a “major hurricane” by mid-week. So, if you’re in Florida, it’s time to brace yourself once again for storm surge, heavy rain, and more flooding. Just what everyone needed, right?
Governor Ron DeSantis isn’t wasting any time, though. He’s already on top of things, posting on X (formerly known as Twitter) to warn Floridians about the incoming storm. “We are closely monitoring Tropical Storm Milton, which has the potential to become a major hurricane,” he said. “Landfall is expected Wednesday afternoon, so there’s still time to prepare.” DeSantis urged people to get their homes ready, plan for disaster, and make sure their families stay safe. Gotta love a governor who’s got his priorities straight — looking out for his state while Washington seems more interested in playing politics.
But that’s not all. DeSantis has mobilized state resources to help clean up the mess left by Hurricane Helene, with a massive debris removal operation underway in the areas that are about to get hit again by Milton. Local debris sites are staying open around the clock, and there are hundreds of personnel already on the ground clearing things up. That’s called leadership — dealing with one crisis while preparing for the next. Makes you wonder why we’re not seeing this level of competence at the federal level.
Speaking of which, let’s not forget how Hurricane Helene hit Florida as a massive Category 4 storm last month, leaving destruction in its path across multiple states. At least 227 people lost their lives, and millions are still without power, water, or even a working cell phone. And what’s FEMA been up to? Well, Rep. Matt Gaetz dropped a bombshell last week, revealing that whistleblowers claim FEMA has been mismanaging taxpayer dollars and leaving first responders on the ground without orders. As if that wasn’t bad enough, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas warned that FEMA doesn’t even have the resources to handle the rest of the hurricane season. You’d think they’d be a little more prepared, but apparently, that’s asking too much from Washington these days.
Of course, this all comes at an interesting time — right before the 2024 presidential election. Former President Donald Trump is going up against Vice President Kamala Harris, and both have been busy visiting the states hit by Hurricane Helene. Trump’s taken every opportunity to slam the federal response, and honestly, can you blame him? President Biden and Harris have shown they’re more interested in damage control for their image than actual damage control for the people affected by the storm. While they smile for the cameras, Florida and other states are left picking up the pieces, with little help from the top.
