As Hurricane Milton approaches Florida’s west coast, the Trump Organization steps up to support disaster relief efforts by hosting linemen at Trump Doral, while concerns grow over federal response capabilities.
At a Glance
- Trump National Doral Miami offers free accommodation to 275 Florida Power and Light linemen preparing for Hurricane Milton
- Eric Trump shares gratitude for linemen’s work on social media
- Hurricane Milton, a Category 4 storm, expected to be the worst to hit Florida’s west coast in over a century
- Mandatory evacuation orders affect approximately 5.9 million people in Florida
- Concerns arise over federal disaster response capabilities amid recent criticism
Trump Organization Extends Support to Disaster Relief Workers
In a display of support for disaster relief efforts, the Trump Organization is providing complimentary stays at Trump National Doral Miami for 275 Florida Power and Light (FPL) linemen as they prepare for Hurricane Milton. This gesture comes as the powerful storm approaches Florida’s western coast, threatening severe damage and widespread power outages.
Eric Trump, executive vice president of the Trump Organization, shared a video and photo on social media of the linemen receiving their room assignments at the luxury resort. The move has garnered positive attention online, particularly in contrast to ongoing concerns about federal disaster response capabilities.
Trump Doral hosts linemen for Hurricane Milton: ‘The Trump family appreciates you’https://t.co/FVqVH1kXs7
— Florida’s Voice (@FLVoiceNews) October 10, 2024
Hurricane Milton’s Approach and Preparations
Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall on Florida’s western coast with winds over 100 mph, storm surges up to 15 feet, and up to 18 inches of rain. The Category 4 storm is anticipated to be the worst to hit the region in over a century, prompting widespread preparations and evacuations.
“Safety is our top priority here at FPL and we’re urging our customers to keep safety top of mind,” Kamrel Eppinger said. “This is a hurricane that has the potential to bring extensive flooding, heavy rainfall, damaging winds, and storm surges which could ultimately create challenges to our restoration and potentially lead to widespread and extended outages.”
Governor Ron DeSantis has activated and prestaged over 50,000 linemen for recovery efforts ahead of Hurricane Milton. Mandatory evacuation orders are affecting approximately 5.9 million people in Florida, with 3.3 million in Tampa alone.
Federal Response and Criticism
President Joe Biden has approved an emergency declaration for Florida and deployed search and rescue teams and essential supplies to the region. He urged residents in the storm’s path to follow safety measures and evacuate if necessary.
However, former President Trump has criticized the federal response to recent hurricanes, while FEMA and officials have defended their efforts. This criticism comes amid growing concerns about the government’s disaster response efficacy, particularly as doubts emerge about FEMA’s budget capacity to adequately support future incidents expected this hurricane season.
Trump Family’s Involvement in Disaster Relief
The Trump Organization’s gesture of hosting FPL linemen at Trump Doral has been met with appreciation from various quarters. Karoline Leavitt, Trump campaign’s national press secretary, praised the family’s generosity, stating, “This is another example of the generosity and kindness displayed by the Trump family every single day. They truly care for the American people.”
This recent effort follows former President Trump’s launch of a GoFundMe for victims of Hurricane Helene, which recently impacted the southeastern U.S., raising over $7 million. These actions have been viewed by supporters as demonstrating a strong commitment to aiding those affected by natural disasters.
As Hurricane Milton approaches, the contrast between private sector initiatives and federal response capabilities continues to be a point of discussion among the public and policymakers alike.
