Central Florida may have barely dodged a bullet when Hurricane Milton shifted south, missing Tampa and Orlando. Despite what is going on on social media, the Walt Disney World Resort sustained minimal damage during the storm.
However, the storm did reveal some of the more significant structural issues in Central Florida that need to be addressed before the next hurricane strikes the area.
During Hurricane Milton’s flooding in Tampa, many of the area’s sewers started to back up, sending wastewater throughout the region. If people wade through this water, they are susceptible to many diseases.
There were also issues with the supply of gasoline throughout the state. With thousands of people evacuating and more looking for gasoline for generators, many of the gas stations in Central Florida ran out of fuel even before the hurricane made landfall.
The gasoline supply is starting to get back to normal. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has ordered police escorts to fully supply every gas station in the area fully provided by the end of the weekend.
However, the jet fuel pipeline from Port Tampa Bay to Orlando International Airport has been knocked out for the second straight storm. The pipeline was knocked offline for five days after Hurricane Helene passed through the area two weeks ago and is now out of service after Hurricane Milton.
Pipeline operator Kinder Morgan told the Orlando Sentinel that the pipeline was damaged during the storm. Saltwater got into the pipe, forcing the company to take it offline. This is the only pipeline that provides jet fuel to Orlando International Airport.
Since the pipeline went down last week, jet fuel has been arriving at Orlando International Airport by truck from Port Tampa and Port Canaveral.
Airport officials said that the damage to the fuel pipe had not disrupted flights. However, if the trucks are delayed in any way, a fuel shortage at the airport could disrupt some aircraft.
The Central Florida pipeline has two pipes that go to the area, but only one is connected to the airport. The storm knocked out both pipes, which has helped exacerbate the fuel shortages in the area.
With more storms brewing along the Gulf Coast, some ships delivering the fuel could also be delayed. Orlando International Airport and Tampa International Airport reopened Friday after assessing the storm damage and fuel situation.