Gov. Ron DeSantis presented a $9.5 million check Monday afternoon for SeaPort Manatee to bounce back from “catastrophic” damage sustained from Hurricane Milton.
During a press conference at the port on the east side of Tampa Bay near Manatee County’s northern border, DeSantis highlighted the importance of getting the port back on its feet as quickly as possible. Milton destroyed 10 warehouses, damaged three berth canals and will require shipping lanes to be re-dredged, he said.
“So today, we’re here to ensure, not just with the fuel, but for all the things that Port Manatee delivers,” DeSantis said, standing in front of a backdrop of ruined warehouses. “We want to ensure minimal interruption to the supply chain as possible, there just is going to be some interruption. We understand that, but we’ve worked really hard to be able to get them on their feet.”
The $9.5 million grant will go toward re-establishing security checkpoints, emergency berth repairs and strategic planning as the port begins the recovery process.The port sustained extensive damage and lost power when the Category 3 storm roared through Manatee County.
As of Sunday morning, however, power had been restored and the site regained the ability to fill up tankers and send them to other hard-hit areas.
‘Catastrophic’ damage to port
Manatee County Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge, who also serves as the chairman of the Manatee County Port Authority, described the damage as “catastrophic” in an interview with the Bradenton Herald. He added that early estimates put the damage at $250 million.
According to DeSantis, some of SeaPort Manatee’s docking facilities and offices were also damaged in the storm.
But officials boasted the port’s speedy recovery after Milton. Severe flooding and loss of power cut the port’s ability to fill fuel tankers and send them on their way, but an “all-hands-on-deck” effort resolved the issue quicker than expected, Van Ostenbridge said.
“We had a dead terminal. We don’t own the terminal, but the county was instrumental in getting them running quickly,” said Carlos Buqueras, the port’s executive director. “The expectation was that it might be another four or five days if we didn’t provide those resources.”
Buqueras said the $9.5 million in state funding will significantly accelerate the port’s rebuild. DeSantis also offered the Florida Department of Transportation to assist with planning and ordered the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to expedite the review of any necessary permits.
Port supplies gas in Southwest Florida
The port supplies gas to over half a dozen gas station chains in Southwest Florida, including Wawa, Circle K and Marathon.
“This port impacts the daily lives of the residents of Florida,” Buqueras added. The port has sent out over 300,000 gallons of gas since coming back online, according to Buqueras. That’s enough gas to fill 20,000 vehicles.
“That is something that is making a difference,” said DeSantis. “You’re continuing to see more gas stations as they get fuel, get the power — and they’re making good progress.”
As of Monday afternoon, several gas stations in Manatee County have returned online with electricity and fuel. However, state officials are still providing 10 gallons of free gas at the following locations:
▪ Tropicana Rail Yard, 1706 Ninth St. E., Bradenton. Open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
▪ Bradenton Motorsports Park, 21000 E. S.R. 64. Open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
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