State Officials Send Relief For South Florida Gas Shortage After Flooding

FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida – Residents in Southeast Florida who have been struggling to find gas in the aftermath of devastating flooding will receive much-needed relief, thanks to the State Emergency Response Team’s (SERT) efforts to deliver fuel to the area.

SERT has deployed over 500,000 gallons of fuel to Southeast Florida, with the first fleet of trucks arriving on April 18 and more scheduled to arrive over the next few days.

The distribution of gas has become increasingly necessary due to damages to Port Everglades, which has slowed fuel distribution in the area. To address this issue, SERT has been pulling fuel from Port Canaveral and Tampa since Friday, April 14. Fuel transports are being escorted by law enforcement partners to expedite delivery.

The deployment of fuel is just one of several actions taken by the State Emergency Response Team in response to the significant flooding in southeast Florida. Over 20 flood mitigation assets, including industrial vacuum trucks and water pumps, have been deployed to impacted areas like the City of Ft. Lauderdale, Dania Beach, and Hollywood, Florida.

In addition to fuel and flood mitigation assistance, SERT feeding partners have served 4,181 hot meals and distributed over 20 cases of water and 1,000 clean-up kits. Lunch and dinner are being offered to impacted residents at several locations, including Fort Lauderdale and Miami. Two comfort stations are also open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. offering food, water, restrooms, charging stations, and showers to impacted residents.

The State Emergency Operations Center remains activated at a Level 2 in response to Hurricanes Ian and Nicole, Mass Migration, and unprecedented flooding in southeast Florida.

Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 23-65 declaring a State of Emergency in Broward County in response to the significant flooding in the area.