Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced on Friday that the state is awarding $2 million for critical infrastructure improvements at SeaPort Manatee that was damaged during Hurricane Milton. The Manatee County Port Authority will use the funds for projects including the rebuilding and repaving of South Dock Street, as well as additional infrastructure upgrades like stormwater mitigation.
The investment is expected to create 300 jobs and support the port’s recovery following significant damage from the 2024 hurricane season. Hurricane Milton alone caused nearly $200 million in destruction.
This funding builds on the $9.5 million in state aid DeSantis allocated last October to jumpstart rebuilding efforts. SeaPort Manatee plays a vital role in Florida’s supply chain, and DeSantis reaffirmed his commitment to maintaining and expanding the port as the region’s population continues to grow.
The Category 3 hurricane made landfall just north of Tampa, claiming at least 16 lives and leaving 2 million people without power. Following rescue efforts and cleanup, residents were encountering wildlife, particularly alligators, in unexpected places.
Alligator sightings heightened concerns, with one spotted on a porch in Tampa and another lunging at a car in flooded North Fort Myers.
Local authorities warned of post-storm dangers, including floodwaters filled with debris, downed power lines, and wildlife.
The National Hurricane Center initially warned Floridians that a “life-threatening” storm surge was heading for the west-central coast of the Florida Peninsula with Hurricane Milton.
“A large area of destructive storm surge, with highest inundations of 10 ft or greater, is expected along a portion of the west-central coast of the Florida Peninsula,” the advisory read. “If you are in the Storm Surge Warning area, this is an extremely life-threatening situation, and you should evacuate as soon as possible if ordered by local officials.”
The advisory noted that “devastating hurricane-force winds are expected along portions of the west coast of Florida, where a Hurricane Warning is in effect,” adding that “life-threatening hurricane-force winds” are expected to “spread inland across the peninsula.”
