DeSantis offers free gas amid widespread shortages in Florida after Milton

TALLAHASSEE, Florida — Florida is handing out free gas as the state struggles to recover from Hurricane Milton, a move announced by Gov. Ron DeSantis amid scenes of long lines for gasoline in the areas hit by the deadly storm.

The state's Republican governor announced that three sites opened on Saturday, with more to come in cities on the Gulf Coast. The state's emergency management director also said millions of gallons of fuel would be unloaded later in the day from the port in Tampa.

The state's actions come as some of DeSantis' political opponents criticized him over the fuel shortages.

Milton ripped through the state earlier in the week, and while it was not the “worst case scenario” that the governor and other officials had feared it still spawned deadly tornadoes, high winds and flooding. More than 1.5 million people remained without power according to a midday report from the state.

Nearly 30 percent of gas stations in Florida were out of gas on Friday afternoon, according to a tally from the website GasBuddy , which tracks fuel prices and shortages.

President Joe Biden late Friday approved a major disaster declaration for the state, which will unlock help to individuals living in 34 counties as well as additional aid for state and local governments trying to help the state recover. Florida has now been hit by two major hurricanes in two weeks. Biden is expected to travel to the state on Sunday to survey the damage caused by Milton.

DeSantis announced that those in need of gasoline could get up to 10 gallons for free from fuel distribution sites set up in Plant City, Bradenton and St. Petersburg and there were plans to add one in Tampa, Sarasota and potentially another location in Pinellas County.

Kevin Guthrie, the state’s emergency management director, urged residents who could afford to purchase gas to continue to do so from nearby gas stations. He said the fuel depots were to help those who are “financially struggling” and that gas stations had more pumps and could distribute gas more quickly.

The state had already been using Florida Highway Patrol troopers to help escort tanker trucks trying to distribute gas. Florida has also set up dozens of supply distribution sites in 14 counties and plans to help people with meals, water, tarps and ice.

“We just want people to be able to get what they need,” said DeSantis during a media availability held at the newly set up fuel distribution site in Plant City, which is located in eastern Hillsborough County east of Tampa.

Guthrie said that state officials expect the federal government to quickly green light multiple programs designed to help residents with housing and to help clean up their homes that have been damaged.

Florida Democratic Party chair Nikki Fried blasted the governor on social media on Friday night over the gas shortages in the Tampa Bay area. She posted that it was a “major failure of Hurricane response from DeSantis. Little to no gas in Hillsborough & Pinellas. You want all the credit of preparedness but none of the responsibility when things aren’t going well.”