Florida braced for Milton as the storm’s track raised urgent fuel concerns. As Milton closed in, shoppers and businesses rushed to gas pumps, and CNN reported that nearly 1,500 stations across the state had run dry amid a sharp spike in demand. The figure sits against a backdrop of roughly 7,500 outlets statewide, showing how the energy network buckled under anticipatory needs before the weather even hits. The situation prompted residents to secure fuel for transportation, evacuation plans, and emergency operations, while retailers scrambled to restock as supplies stretched thin. In communities from Miami to Pensacola, lines formed, garages were topped off, and talk radio carried fevered chatter about shortages and the best times to fill up before conditions worsen. The public mood combined urgency with a pragmatic push to safeguard mobility during a storm that could disrupt pipelines, ports, and road access.
People hurried to top off their tanks ahead of evacuations and to power portable generators during outages. Some residents planned long waits at pumps, while others sought spare gasoline for emergency power, food preservation, and essential services. The rush reflected a broad readiness to manage weather risk through personal preparation, even as crews warned of potential delays in supply chains that feed the state from Gulf and Atlantic routes.
State leaders released numbers on reserves and in-transit fuel. Governor Ron DeSantis said the state held about 110,000 gallons of gasoline and 268,000 gallons of diesel in reserve, with roughly 1.2 million gallons of each fuel currently moving into the state from external suppliers. In addition, 27 fuel trucks escorted by the Florida Highway Patrol were deployed to stations in the area most likely to face impact, aiming to reduce gaps in supply as Milton nears and the pressure on pumps grows.
Officials warned the hurricane could inflict serious damage to the port of Tampa, a key gateway for gasoline shipments into the peninsula. Any disruption there could ripple through distribution, complicating the path to fueling stations inland and heightening pressure at rural and suburban pumps already strained by the surge in demand.
Forecasts circulating before Milton described the storm as potentially reaching dangerous strength; some sources described the approach as extremely dangerous and life-threatening. While official classifications may differ, the message was clear: residents should take protective actions without delay and focus on safety, not panic.
Earlier reports noted that President Biden postponed travel to Germany and Angola in response to Milton, a move described by CNN as precaution amid the storm’s potential impact on travel and security operations. The report underscores how the hurricane has drawn national attention and added layers of coordination for response teams engaged in Florida’s readiness efforts.
Across Florida, authorities urged calm and orderly fueling, coordinated through state agencies and emergency management teams. As Milton nears, the focus remains on keeping pumps stocked, power secured, and communities informed about sheltering options and evacuation routes. The situation remains fluid, with updates from energy and transportation officials shaping ongoing efforts to minimize disruption.