Hurricane Milton approaches the Florida coast in the Gulf of Mexico. Wind speed will reach 71 meters per second (160 mph). The US Department of Energy Information Administration (EIA) does not exclude the possibility of an energy collapse occurring in the state.
“Florida utility companies are preparing for widespread power outages. “High winds, flooding, and storm surge caused by Hurricane Milton could damage energy infrastructure, such as power plants, transmission and distribution lines, and fuel terminals.” – reports (EIA).
Some gas stations in Florida were already out of fuel as demand spiked ahead of the hurricane, the department said, citing trade publications.
“In a press conference, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis indicated that the state is sending and distributing fuel as needed. However, Florida has no oil refineries or pipelines connecting it to oversupply states. Gasoline and diesel are delivered by trucks or ships.” – continued the EIA.
The department cited a message from the US Coast Guard that several ports in Florida have already been closed.
“Marine traffic at Port Tampa Bay, through which more than 17 million tons of petroleum products and natural gas flow in a normal year, has ceased. More than 43% of Florida’s petroleum products, including gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel for the state’s major airports, are transported through the Port of Tampa Bay. The duration of the port closure and the impact of Hurricane Milton on oil and natural gas shipments are unknown.” — added to the EIA.
Additionally, oil and gas production in the Gulf of Mexico was also partially halted due to the hurricane. For example, Chevron closed the Blind Faith platform, whose production capacity is 65 thousand barrels per day.
The day before, the region had already suffered Hurricane Helen, which devastated from Florida to North Carolina and Virginia. Then, millions of Americans were without power for an entire week.
