Florida chemical sites gird for Hurricane Milton

By Ellie Borst | 10/09/2024 01:53 PM EDT

Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office said “all significant hazardous waste facilities … have been notified to ensure all pre-storm preparations are being made.”

A weather alert is displayed along a sidewalk as Hurricane Milton churns in the Gulf of Mexico on Monday in Tampa, Florida.

A weather alert is displayed along a sidewalk as Hurricane Milton churns in the Gulf of Mexico on Monday in Tampa, Florida. Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Hundreds of sites housing hazardous chemicals lie in the path of Hurricane Milton, posing toxic threats to Florida’s Tampa Bay area and beyond.

At least a quarter of the 611 hurricane facilities of concern designated by Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection sit in counties with mandatory evacuation orders, with hundreds more likely to face damages.

The latest update from Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office notes that “all significant hazardous waste facilities, both phosphate and non-phosphate mines, and all drinking water and wastewater facilities in potentially affected counties have been notified to ensure all pre-storm preparations are being made.” DEP did not provide a comment in time for publication.

Advertisement

What preparations look like is unclear.

GET FULL ACCESS