11 Oct Hurricane Milton Shuts Down Major Florida Ports, Recovery Efforts Underway
In the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, ten ports, including key commercial hubs Port Tampa Bay and SeaPort Manatee along Florida’s Gulf Coast, remained closed on Thursday. The U.S. Coast Guard set port condition “Zulu” on Tuesday, halting commercial vessel traffic at these locations.
Port Tampa Bay officials have begun preliminary assessments of both landside and seaside operations. “Our port is currently without power. Some damage was observed on numerous buildings, but there has been no significant damage to docks so far. The port is accessible through the main gates, and access to fuel terminals is clear, pending facility assessments,” said port spokeswoman Lisa Wolf-Chason.
The port’s closure has exacerbated fuel supply challenges in Florida, where many residents fled ahead of the storm’s arrival. Port Tampa Bay is a crucial fuel entry point, handling 43% of the state’s fuel needs for various vehicles and aircraft.
SeaPort Manatee, also without power, is conducting damage assessments. The port is a significant gateway for fresh fruit and vegetable imports, managing $1.84 billion in imports and $351.17 million in exports in 2023.
Other impacted ports include Colonel’s Island at the Port of Brunswick in Georgia, which temporarily suspended operations but planned to resume Friday. Port Panama City, Florida, has already returned to normal operations. However, the Canaveral, Fernandina, Jacksonville, Key West, Fort Myers, Sarasota, and St. Petersburg ports remained closed as of Thursday.
Hurricane Milton, a Category 3 storm, made landfall near Siesta Key, Florida, on Wednesday evening, causing widespread devastation. The hurricane has been linked to six fatalities in Florida, including four in St. Lucie County and two in St. Petersburg.
Efforts are underway to restore power and resume operations at the affected ports, with further updates expected as assessments continue.
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