Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has deployed state troops to ensure the state’s ports remain open during ongoing dock worker strikes. This decisive action comes as Florida and other southern states continue to reel from the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which devastated communities and left over 200 people dead.
During a Thursday press conference, DeSantis announced that the Florida National Guard and Florida State Guard will be stationed at ports affected by the strikes to keep operations running smoothly. “We cannot afford to have these strikes impact the flow of essential goods, especially at a time when so many are in desperate need,” DeSantis stated.
Hurricane Helene brought catastrophic flooding and widespread damage, leaving many areas in need of basic supplies. DeSantis emphasized that any disruption in port operations could further hinder relief efforts. He urged the Biden-Harris administration to take more action, saying, “The federal government must step up to ensure that storm victims are not left waiting for the resources they need.”
In addition to deploying troops, DeSantis announced that tolls and size restrictions for commercial vehicles would be temporarily lifted to speed up the delivery of supplies. The Florida Highway Patrol has been tasked with managing traffic at the state’s ports to ensure that goods are transported quickly to affected areas.
DeSantis contrasted Florida’s swift response with the inaction from Washington, saying, “Florida is taking the lead in ensuring our communities have what they need to rebuild, while others seem content to let bureaucracy slow things down.”
With the region still facing the fallout from one of the most destructive hurricanes in recent history, DeSantis’ actions aim to keep the state’s recovery efforts on track. “We’re doing what’s necessary to help our people recover, and we will continue to do so,” he said.