Hurricane Milton: Florida’s Supply Chain Recovery Efforts Continue
The West Coast of Florida has been hit with back-to-back hurricanes within a 2-week period. Hurricane Milton made landfall near Siesta Key on Oct. 9.
Previously a massive Category 5 hurricane over the Gulf of Mexico that forecasters predicted would be “catastrophic,” Milton weakened to a Category 3 as it hit the coast with 120 mph sustained winds. The storm also unleashed 13 confirmed tornados around the East Coast of the state.
Hurricane Milton proved to be a setback for communities that are already trying to recover from Hurricane Helene, with heavy flooding and winds destroying homes and businesses and even ripping the roof off Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg.
As people in Florida begin to pick up the pieces of what has been a very active hurricane season, relying on certain necessities is crucial.
Impacts of Hurricane Milton on Florida and the Supply Chain
With the destruction of Hurricane Milton closely following suit behind Hurricane Helene, the supply chains in the Southeast are experiencing severe disruptions.
The Port of Tampa and Jacksonville both closed ahead of the storm, airports in Tampa and Orlando shut down, parcel carriers suspended services, and many popular trucking routes, such as I-75, have been flooded, leading to delays in delivery.
The state of Florida has also seen extreme shortages in necessities such as gas. Days before and after the storm, gas stations across Florida were out of gas as many residents evacuated out of the area.
As of Oct. 14, the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) has opened public fuel distribution sites across Tampa Bay for cars to get 10 gallons of gas for free, but it is still a struggle for many to fill up their vehicles as lines go on for miles.
In the upcoming weeks, grocery and retail stores may see a shortage of consumer goods due to blocked roadways, loss of power, and gas shortages.
However, recovery efforts are already underway, with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the National Guard managing fuel and water escorts, traffic control, and search and rescue missions.
Florida has also secured approval of a major disaster declaration from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to assist residents who need help.
How to Prepare for Hurricane Season
Although hurricane season can prove to be unpredictable, it’s vital for the transportation and logistics industry to be prepared to help mitigate any disruptions that the powerful storms can bring.
The logistics and transportation industry relies on adequate weather conditions in order to safely pick up and deliver freight. However, the conditions that hurricanes bring can delay this process. There are multiple ways that businesses can keep updated with weather conditions in order to properly keep the driver and freight out of harm’s way. Some alert systems give real-time updates in cases of massive storm systems like Hurricane Milton. These include:
- Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA)
- NOAA Weather Radio (NWR)
- NOAA Weather Wire Service (NWWS)
- Emergency Alert System (EAS)
- Emergency Managers Weather Information Network (EMWIN)
- Interactive Weather Information Network (IWIN)
- NOOAAPORT
Other steps that businesses can take include building a strong supply chain through communication with local suppliers and other networks, as well as increasing inventory of high-demand products outside of hurricane season. Utilizing AI and real-time tracking systems can also help mitigate any delays and keep track of cargo if things go awry during a natural disaster.
By thinking ahead and addressing any concerns, businesses can prepare for hurricane season to ensure safe and efficient operations.
FreightCenter Can Help
As part of Pinellas County, our headquarters are in an area that Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton have impacted.
If you are in need of shipping assistance during this time, we can help. We offer a wide network of carriers and different modes of transportation to choose from, as well as expedited shipping and specialized freight services.
If you need to transport hurricane relief items such as cleaning or medical supplies, water, or clothing, we are here.
With over 25 years of experience in the industry and freight agents who are knowledgeable about the special needs that hurricane season can bring, FreightCenter is the right place for the job.
Get a free online quote now, or call us at (800)716-7608 to speak to an expert.
