Florida Governor Ron DeSantis delivers remarks to the state and media in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton that crossed Florida overnight.

“The worst-case scenario did not unfold” … “Milton began falling apart at the coast.”

Governor Ron DeSantis delivers a strong warning about post-hurricane recovery.  Stay away from powerlines, use ladders and generators safely, be careful with chainsaws, avoid bacteria that always follows in dirty standing water.  The downstream river flow remains a concern for rising water.

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Try to stay within your immediate neighborhood for the first 36-48 hours. Keep the roadways and main arteries clear for recovery workers, power companies and fuel trucks.

Remember, when it is safe to drive, every single intersection must be treated like a four-way stop…. and YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE TO PAY ATTENTION.

Even the major intersections.

You’ll need to override your brain tendency to use memory in transit. You’ll need to pay close attention and watch for those who aren’t paying close attention.

Travel sparingly, it’s just safer.

Stage one recovery focuses on major arteries… then secondary… then neighborhood etc. It’s a process.

For the first 36-48 hours, please try to stay close to home, in your neighborhood. Another reason to stay close to home is the sketchy people who can sometimes surface, looters etc.

Staying close to home and having contact with your neighbors is just reasonable and safer.

If you are on the road and there’s a convoy of utility trucks on the road, pull over. Treat power trucks and tanker trucks like ambulances and emergency vehicles. Pull over, give them a clear road and let them pass.

Many of these smaller crews will be sleeping in cots, or in their trucks while they are working never-ending shifts. Some will be staging at evacuation shelters, likely schools and such. The need to shelter people and recovery crews might also delay the re-opening of schools.

The convenience stores with gas pumps are part of the priority network. Those will get power before other locales without power. Fuel outlets are a priority. Fuel is the lifeblood of recovery.

Hospitals, first responders, emergency facilities, fuel outlets, then comes commercial and residential.