DeSantis: Three gas stations offering free fuel amid gas shortage post-Milton

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) announced that three fuel distribution sites would be set up and provide free fuel to the state’s residents at a Saturday press conference after multiple cities were hit by Hurricane Milton.

The three sites are located in Plant City, Bradenton and St. Petersburg, Fla. 

“We just want people to be able to get what they need,” DeSantis told reporters.

As of Friday, 29 percent of Florida’s 7,915 fuel pumps are out of commission, according to GasBuddy. While hundreds try to return to their homes or leave the area, many are left without options to purchase the gasoline needed for travel. 

Before the hurricane hit, DeSantis anticipated that there would be no gas shortage, but circumstances quickly changed after stations in the Sunshine state lost power. 

“If they [gas stations] don’t have the power to run the pumps, then it’s an academic issue,” DeSantis said during the press conference. “What we’re doing in the state of Florida, Kevin Guthrie [Executive Director, Florida Division of Emergency Management] and his team, they have generators that can be deployed.”

Hurricane Milton made landfall Wednesday evening as a Category 3 storm, two distinctions lower than predicted. However, the rainfalls caused massive flooding and damage, knocking out power, conjuring tornadoes and sinking cars in addition to homes.

Milton’s death toll rose to 10 as search and rescue teams began operations Thursday morning.