Milton Archives

Here’s a look at the $100 billion in disaster relief in the government spending bill

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress is allocating more than $100 billion in emergency aid to address extensive damage caused by hurricane and other disasters. The money is in a bill passed early Saturday by Congress after this week’s scramble to find consensus on a government spending bill. The money is being provided after back-to-back hurricanes slammed into the Southeast. But the funding will go to much more than just Helene and Milton recovery. There’s also disaster assistance for farmers, money for damaged roads and highways and money for block grants administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.… Continue Reading

Congress nears funding deal with more than $100 billion in disaster aid

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congressional leaders have unveiled legislation that will keep the federal government funded through March 14 and provide more than $100 billion in emergency aid to help states and local communities recover from Hurricanes Helene and Milton and other natural disasters. The stopgap measure will prevent a partial government shutdown set to begin after midnight Friday. It kicks final decisions on this budget year’s spending levels to a new Republican-led Congress and President-elect Donald Trump. Passage of the measure is one of the final must-pass bills that lawmakers will consider this week before adjourning for the holidays and making way for the next Congress.… Continue Reading

Biden seeks nearly $100 billion in emergency disaster aid after Hurricanes Helene and Milton

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is requesting nearly $100 billion in emergency disaster aid after Hurricanes Helene and Milton, and other natural disasters. He’s telling lawmakers that the money is “urgently needed.” Biden says in a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson on Monday that he’s met firsthand with those harmed by the storms and has heard what residents and businesses need from the federal government. The largest share of the money, about $40 billion, would go to the main disaster relief fund at the Federal Emergency Management Agency. An additional $24 billion would help farmers and $12 billion would go toward community development block grants.… Continue Reading

Biden is surveying Hurricane Milton damage in Florida. Harris is going to church in North Carolina

ST. PETE BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President Joe Biden is surveying damage left behind in Florida by Hurricane Milton. Biden arrived in Tampa on Sunday and flew by helicopter to St. Pete Beach. Along the way he saw what was left of the roof of Tropicana Field, which was shorn off by Milton’s powerful winds. Vice President Kamala Harris will speak during a church service in Greenville, North Carolina, as part of her campaign’s effort to turn out Black churchgoers before Election Day. She also plans a campaign rally. North Carolina narrowly voted for Donald Trump in 2020. Democrats are hoping to win back the state on Election Day.… Continue Reading

FACT FOCUS: A look at the false information around Hurricanes Helene and Milton

The devastation around Hurricanes Helene and Milton has been complicated further by false and misleading information, much of it politically motivated. Misinformation around the Federal Emergency Management Agency, some of which claimed land would be seized and bulldozed in North Carolina, and claims that state and local governments were failing to address the situation were spread by GOP candidates, including former President Donald Trump. President Joe Biden and other federal officials have criticized Trump and others for spreading disinformation around the hurricanes.… Continue Reading

Determination to rebuild follows Florida’s hurricanes with acceptance that storms will come again

VENICE, Fla. (AP) — The devastation of Hurricanes Helene and Milton is still being tallied as a swath of Florida comes to terms with damage from the unusual dual strike of storms in such close proximity. Some longtime Floridians have grown accustomed to the annual cycle of storms that can shatter and upend lives in a state known mostly for its balmy weather, sunshine and beaches. Some say it’s the price of living in paradise. President Joe Biden planned to visit the Gulf Coast on Sunday. Many residents spent much of Saturday searching for gas as a fuel shortage gripped the state.… Continue Reading

Floridians cleaning up from Hurricane Milton are hampered by a widespread fuel shortage

CORTEZ, Fla. (AP) — Many Floridians spent much of Saturday either waiting hours in line for gas, trying to get home or beginning the arduous work of cleaning up after Hurricane Milton. Gov. Ron DeSantis said Saturday several fuel depots where residents could get 10 gallons of gas for free were set to open. Officials were also using state fuel stockpiles to replenish area gas stations. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden approved a disaster declaration for the state and will Florida on Sunday to assess the damage. Moody’s Analytics estimates economic costs from the storm will range from $50 billion to $85 billion.… Continue Reading

Far from where Hurricane Milton hit, tornadoes wrought unexpected damage

WELLINGTON, Fla. (AP) — Tony Brazzale expected Hurricane Milton would be a “nonevent” for his family. It was forecast to hit Florida’s west coast and track across the state well to the north of their home in Wellington, near West Palm Beach. But then a tornado hit his neighborhood. It shattered windows in their house, tore off roof tiles and ripped trees from the ground. It was one of at least 38 tornadoes that meteorologists believe were spawned by Milton, and there may have been more. The National Weather Service issued 126 tornado warnings across the state. One twister killed six people about an hour’s drive north of Wellington.… Continue Reading

Residents repair their homes and clean up after Hurricane Milton tore through Florida

LITHIA, Fla. (AP) — Florida residents are repairing the damage caused by Hurricane Milton and cleaning up debris. The storm smashed through coastal communities, tore homes to pieces, flooded streets and spawned a barrage of deadly tornadoes. At least 10 people are dead and rescuers are still saving people from swollen rivers, but many are relieved Milton wasn’t worse. The hurricane spared Tampa a direct hit, and the lethal storm surge that scientists feared never materialized. The state’s vital tourism industry is beginning to return to normal. Florida theme parks including Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld reopened Friday.… Continue Reading

Although Milton has moved on, at least 8 are dead and millions remain in the dark

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Rescue teams are plucking Florida residents from the flotsam of Hurricane Milton after the storm smashed through coastal communities. The storm tore homes into pieces, filled streets with mud and spawned a barrage of deadly tornadoes. At least eight people are dead. Arriving just two weeks after the misery wrought by Hurricane Helene, the system also knocked out power to more than 3 million customers, flooded barrier islands, tore the roof off a baseball stadium and toppled a construction crane. Despite the destruction, many people expressed relief that Milton wasn’t worse. The hurricane spared Tampa a direct hit, and the lethal storm surge that scientists feared never materialized.… Continue Reading