The Seventh Coast Guard District disestablished their area command post in response to Hurricane Milton, Sunday, at Coast Guard Air Station Miami in Opa- Locka.
The area command will be re-established if additional Coast Guard support and logistics are needed in response to the storm’s impacts within the Seventh District.
Coast Guard crews responded to multiple search and rescue cases resulting in four lives saved, 12 assisted and three pets rescued. These rescues occurred between Tuesday - Friday in Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg, Sector Jacksonville, Sector Key West, and Sector Miami areas of responsibility.
Coast Guard captains of the ports worked diligently with NOAA, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Florida Department of Transportation, and other partners to reopen ports as soon as it was safely possible after Milton passed. The reopening of ports allowed for ships to arrive with lifesaving aid, food, fuel and the restoration of maritime commerce, which are critical for recovery operations.
“The Seventh Coast Guard District Area Command team coordinated resources and response plans immediately following Hurricane Helene and before Hurricane Milton made landfall, with the priorities of rescuing anyone in distress and the safe reopening of federal seaports and waterways,” said Capt. Nicolette Vaughan, District Seven Hurricane Milton area commander. “Thank you to our federal, state and local partners who contributed to this whole-of-government response and the rapid restoration of maritime commerce. As our communities return to their homes, we ask the public to be mindful of the risks associated with Milton’s passing and continue to listen to local, state, county and federal emergency management officials to ensure your continued safety throughout our shared recovery.”
Personnel assigned to areas most heavily impacted by Milton, including Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg units and Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, continue to be augmented with active duty, reserve, civilian and auxiliary reinforcements from Coast Guard Atlantic Area Command units beyond the Seventh District to assist in their recovery. Coast Guard cutters homeported in St. Petersburg are returning home to reunite with their displaced families impacted by both hurricanes Helene and Milton.