While there is still more work to do, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday praised Hurricane Milton recovery efforts, saying power has never been restored to so many people so quickly after a hurricane.
There were still about 170,000 customers without power, rivers were still rising in some flooded areas and the state was still providing free gasoline to residents struggling to fill their tanks.
However, DeSantis noted that more than 4 million customers had restored power less than a week after the Category 3 storm.
At least 11 people have died less than two weeks after Hurricane Helene inflicted severe damage on Florida and other southeastern states. The death toll from Helene exceeds 240.
Although most gas stations are now back in operation, the state still has 10 active fuel distribution centers providing free gas to residents. DeSantis said more than 7.6 million liters had been distributed so far.
As happened two years ago during Hurricane Ian, parts of central Florida were flooded Tuesday, almost a week after Milton made landfall, due to the rising St. Johns River.
In Seminole County, north of Orlando, emergency units closed roads along the shores of lakes Harney and Jesup after the river flooded several homes. Since last Thursday, at least 15 people have been evacuated from homes in nearby Geneva and an Altamonte Springs neighborhood located on a bend in the Little Wekiva River.
The St. Johns River water level was expected to rise by the end of the week.
In Sumter County, home to the sprawling The Villages retirement community, residents along the Little Withlacoochee River were encouraged to evacuate as the river level rose. Residents who decided to evacuate were offered shelter at the Sumter County Fairgrounds.
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