President Joe Biden announced that the estimated damage from Hurricane Milton in Florida has reached a staggering $50 billion, significantly higher than initial projections. Speaking from the White House on Friday, Biden provided the updated figure, emphasizing the substantial impact of the storm.
“Experts estimate… that it caused damages of around $50 billion,” Biden stated, highlighting the scale of the devastation. The president assured the public that his administration is delivering all necessary resources to assist state and local authorities in their ongoing recovery efforts. He expressed gratitude to first responders, volunteers, and workers who are working tirelessly to restore power and services in the hardest-hit areas.
To assess the situation firsthand, Biden is scheduled to visit Florida on Sunday to survey the damage and meet with officials on the ground. Meanwhile, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has already utilized nearly half of its $20 billion disaster relief budget as it responds to the crisis.
Given the extent of the financial strain, Biden called on Congress to reconvene in Washington, DC, and approve additional funding for FEMA to ensure continued support for the recovery. The president’s remarks underscored the urgency of bolstering the agency’s budget to meet the needs of communities affected by Hurricane Milton and future potential disasters.
The updated damage estimate and the call for increased funding come as Florida continues to deal with widespread power outages, infrastructure damage, and other challenges resulting from the powerful storm.