Biden traveled to Florida to see the damage from Hurricane Milton

US President Joseph Biden traveled to Florida today to survey the damage from Hurricane Milton, the second storm to hit the US state in recent weeks, as rising floodwaters, fuel shortages and power outages affected the clearing of debris.

Milton, which killed at least 17 people, caused debris to rise after Hurricane Helena, and power and fuel are still out in many areas, Reuters reported.

Biden landed in Tampa this morning for an aerial tour of the affected areas en route to St. Petersburg, where he will be briefed on the situation by federal, state and local officials in St. Pete Beach.

The mayors of Tampa and St. Petersburg, along with other local officials, greeted Biden, who will also meet with emergency responders and local residents before speaking.

US Secretary of Energy Jennifer Grenholm also traveled with the US President.

More fuel distribution sites should be open today, the state’s emergency operations center said.

Flooding is expected to continue around Tampa Bay and the Sanford area northeast of Orlando as river waters continue to rise, according to the National Weather Service website.

Sarasota Mayor Liz Alpert said the recovery is expected to take a long time, as will restoring the power grid, but that about 80 percent of households already have power.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he’s not inclined to stop people from rebuilding their properties in distressed areas.

Although Milton was not as destructive as officials originally predicted, analysts estimated insured losses at between $30 billion and $60 billion.

The Biden administration approved federal aid to help residents and local governments cover costs, but said the Federal Emergency Management Agency would need additional funding from the US Congress.