Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is warning people not to loot homes and businesses after Hurricane Milton passes through the state.

The Republican governor said people who commit crimes in the wake of the storm have “another thing coming” and could get shot by the people they are trying to rob.

“You don’t know what’s behind that door in a Second Amendment state,” he said.

Mr. DeSantis issued the warning during a pre-storm press conference in Tallahassee.

Milton was spinning through the Gulf of Mexico as a Category 4 hurricane on Tuesday. It is expected to make landfall around Tampa late Wednesday before sweeping across Florida.

“Use today as your day to finalize and execute the plan that is going to protect you and your family,” Mr. DeSantis said Tuesday.

Florida is bracing for Milton less than two weeks after Hurricane Helene swept across the state. Mr. DeSantis said 1,200 truckloads of debris had been picked up in anticipation of hurricane winds.

“We want to get as much of the debris picked up as possible,” he said. “They are continuing to work 24-7.”

The governor also thanked Uber for offering residents free rides to county shelters where people can ride out the storm.

• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.