Hurricane Milton is bearing down on Florida, leaving residents facing the double threat of the storm and alleged price gouging on essential goods.
At a Glance
- Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall near Sarasota as a Category 4 storm.
- Reports indicate price gouging on essential items such as gasoline and accommodation.
- Federal authorities caution against post-hurricane scams in Florida.
- Tampa police are urging evacuations ahead of potential flooding.
Hurricane Milton’s Approach
Hurricane Milton, a Category 4 storm, is expected to land near Sarasota tonight. With sustained winds of 145 mph and moving northeast at 17 mph, its impact is a growing concern. Storm surge warnings stretch along Florida’s western coast, with predictions of up to 15 feet of water inundation from Tampa to Fort Myers.
The threat of 15 inches of rain could lead to severe flooding in Orlando, as Tampa police advise residents to leave their homes. Adding to their woes, there are federal warnings on scams targeting Floridians post-hurricane, increasing pressure on evacuation efforts.
If you’re in the path of Hurricane #Milton, the time to act is NOW. If evacuation orders are given, DO NOT DELAY—leave immediately. Staying could mean risking your life and the lives of those you care about.
Check out @NHC_Atlantic's key messages for important information. ⤵️ https://t.co/ZGSA3YsXg0
— FEMA (@fema) October 7, 2024
Price Gouging Concerns
Reports of price gouging emerged as the Federal Trade Commission received troubling complaints of inflated prices for essential goods. Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan stated, “We’re hearing troubling reports of price gouging for essentials that are necessary for people to get out of harm’s way — from hotels to groceries to gas.”
The Florida Attorney General’s hotline received over 200 complaints concerning rising costs of fuel and water as companies seemingly exploit the disaster for profit. Almost a quarter of Florida gas stations ran out of supply, aggravating the situation.
Government and Airline Response
In response to Hurricane Milton, airlines like American Airlines and United Airlines offered additional seats from Tampa and Sarasota to facilitate evacuations. Moreover, major airlines froze prices and allowed ticket changes at no extra cost for flights in and out of Florida.
“If you suspect that there is price gouging there is an easy way to capture that information, take a picture of the receipt, take a picture of the price, take a picture of the sign, invoices, and bills,” Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle emphasized the importance of consumer vigilance amid such exploitation.
The surge in evacuation measures coincides with significant power outages across Florida, affecting counties like Lee, Manatee, Hillsborough, and Pinellas, leaving more than 11 million residents under warnings or watches.