SeaPort Manatee has now reportedly received a $9.5 million check from Governor Ron DeSantis on Monday afternoon to assist in its recovery from the “catastrophic” devastation caused by Hurricane Milton.
At a press conference held at the port on the eastern side of Tampa Bay, near the northern border of Manatee County, DeSantis underscored the necessity of expediting the port’s revival.
He stated that Milton has destroyed ten warehouses, damaged three berth canals, and will necessitate the re-dredging of shipping channels.
The $9.5 million grant will be allocated to the reestablishment of security checkpoints, emergency berth repairs, and strategic planning as the port commences the recovery process.
When the Category 3 storm raged through Manatee County, the port suffered substantial damage and lost electricity.
However, power had been restored by Sunday morning, and the site was able to refuel tankers and transport them to other severely affected regions.
Kevin Van Ostenbridge, the chairman of the Manatee County Port Authority and Commissioner of Manatee County, described the devastation as “catastrophic” in an interview with the Bradenton Herald.
The damage was estimated to be $250 million by early estimates, he added. DeSantis also reported that the typhoon caused damage to certain offices and docking facilities at SeaPort Manatee.
[READ MORE: DeSantis Moves to Offer Residents 10 Free Gallons of Gas in Wake of Storm Chaos]
