ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) – President Joe Biden will travel to Florida this Sunday to assess the damage caused by Hurricane Milton, the White House announced on Friday. While specific locations for the visit have not yet been disclosed, the President plans to meet with local officials and first responders in the hardest-hit areas.

Biden confirmed that he has been in communication with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis regarding recovery efforts and is open to meeting with him during the visit, stating, “If he’s available, we’ll meet. Gov. DeSantis has been very cooperative, and we’ve gotten along very well through this process.”

The President’s visit is expected to highlight ongoing federal relief efforts, with FEMA already deployed to assist in recovery and aid distribution. His presence will also likely bring national attention to the rebuilding needs of affected communities. Hurricane Milton, which has devastated parts of Central Florida, has left thousands without power and caused extensive property damage.

The Biden administration has pledged continuous support to ensure the state has the resources it needs for a full recovery. Residents are urged to stay informed through official updates as relief efforts continue.

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J Willie David, III contributed to this report.
news@FloridaNationalNews.com

ORLANDO, FL — Early this morning, Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost (FL-10) returned from a flight directly into Hurricane Milton, a Category 5 hurricane at the time of the flight, with sustained winds exceeding 175 mph in the Gulf of Mexico. Congressman Frost, a member of the Space, Science, and Technology committee, which oversees the functions and budget of NOAA, joined NOAA’s Hurricane Hunters to observe as they collect critical atmospheric data to improve the accuracy of storm forecasts ahead of its landfall in Florida.

With Central Florida in the storm’s direct path, Frost hopes his experience will encourage Floridians to take all necessary preparations in anticipation of this unprecedented and serious storm .

In a statement, Rep. Frost describes the experience and sends message to Floridians:

“As my team and I do everything we can to prepare for Hurricane Milton, last night, I was invited by NOAA to fly into the storm with the agency’s specialized group of Hurricane Hunters. The scientists on board analyze storm information and subsequently send it to the National Hurricane Center, aiding in the creation of predictions and storm tracks that play a vital role in saving lives. During our flight, we penetrated Hurricane Milton’s eye three times as it reached Category 5 strength. The turbulence during our flight was extremely intense, and at one point, we free-fell several thousand feet, which underscored the storm’s ferocity.

“After several hours flying through Hurricane Milton, and seeing the atmospheric data come in firsthand, I can confidently say this storm deserves serious attention from every Central Floridian. Regardless of its impact category, the storm surge, flooding, and high winds will result in significant destruction and will put countless lives and vulnerable communities at risk. Please prepare, sign up for local emergency alerts, and know that our office is here to help you navigate the storm.”

Visit nhc.noaa.gov for the latest forecast and advisories on Hurricane Milton. Central Floridians can also access Rep. Frost’s hurricane resource guide, which has already been sent to nearly 300k constituents. As residents finalize their preparations for Hurricane Milton, they can follow @RepMaxwellFrost on social media for federal and local resources. For additional support following the storm regarding FEMA claims or assistance with federal agencies, FL-10 constituents can call the office at 321-388-9808 or visit frost.house.gov to submit a casework request.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN) – In preparation for Hurricane Milton, Governor Ron DeSantis has directed an around-the-clock debris removal operation across the state. The Florida National Guard, Florida State Guard, FDOT, and FHP are actively assisting local authorities to ensure debris is cleared efficiently ahead of the storm.

The Division of Emergency Management has also instructed local emergency management directors to keep debris waste and landfill sites open 24/7, ensuring continuous cleanup efforts. Governor DeSantis emphasized that debris removal “must be done 24/7, around the clock,” warning that this cannot be treated as a typical 9 to 5 job, and local governments, along with their contractors, are expected to rise to the occasion.