Work Truck Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Florida Escapes Worst of Irma, Impact Felt Across State

Hurricane Irma's late shift to the west seems to have spared Florida the worst of the storm, but even with reduced impact, its effects are widespread.

by Staff
September 12, 2017
Florida Escapes Worst of Irma, Impact Felt Across State

Coast Guard Flood Punt Teams conduct rescue operations in Jacksonville, Florida, Sept. 11, 2017. Photo: Courtesy of U.S. Coast Guard District 7

3 min to read


Coast Guard Flood Punt Teams conduct rescue operations in Jacksonville, Florida, Sept. 11, 2017. Photo: Courtesy of U.S. Coast Guard District 7

Hurricane Irma's late shift to the west seems to have spared Florida the worst of the storm, but even with reduced impact, its effects are widespread.

A combination of influences caused Irma to lose strength over the northern coast of Cuba and shift westward. That put it on a path that reduced the impact of high winds and storm surge on major urban centers in the southeast of the state, including Miami.

Ad Loading...

Recent estimates for total damage costs in the state are at $58 billion. That is far less than earlier numbers, which reached as high as $200 billion, according to Bloomberg. The current estimate is still higher than the total for Hurricane Andrew in 1992, which cost nearly $48 billion when adjusted for inflation, but is below the estimates for Hurricane Harvey, which may run upwards of $75 billion.

Fuel prices were up again in the latest numbers from the Energy Department. The average price of diesel fuel increased 4.4 cents for the week ending on Sept. 11 and stands at $2.80 per gallon. This is a week after jumping more than 15 cents in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. Perhaps more telling than the increase in price was a note in the report stating that data on Miami’s gas prices were unavailable due to the insufficient response from retailers.

A Florida Trucking Association representative told HDT that in the immediate aftermath of the storm, most Florida-based trucking companies are "still in damage assessment and power restoration mode and are doing the obvious things they need to do.”

As of Sept. 11, every major interstate and turnpike in the state was reopened. U.S. 1 South, which runs through the Florida Keys, is still being assessed for damage and no residents or visitors are permitted in the Keys until it is complete.

Florida residents are still being asked not to rush back to their homes and businesses as power, fuel, and other infrastructures are not restored in some places and congestion from returning Floridians is likely.

Ad Loading...

“Don't think just because this thing passed, you can run home,” said Florida Gov. Rick Scott in a briefing. “We've got downed power lines all across the state. We've got roads that are impassible still across the state. We've got debris all over the state."

Millions of residents are still without power a day after Irma moved through Florida. At the the worst of it, the hurricane left more than half of the state’s residents without power, according to a Washington Post report. But crews are working to repair damaged power lines and the number of people with power, especially on the east coast, is steadily increasing.

Ports from South Florida to South Carolina are slowly reopening, bringing back goods and fuel supplies to the region. With minimal damage, most are expected to reopen by Sept. 13.

Originally posted on Automotive Fleet

More Operations

Skyline of London with a blue sky and an inset logo for Kooner.
OperationsMay 4, 2026

Kooner Fleet Management Solutions Expands Internationally with Launch in the UK

Kooner Fleet Management Solutions’ new Central England operations hub establishes a foundation for 24/7 fleet maintenance, mobile repair, and technician development across the UK.

Read More →
Host Lauren Fletcher gestures toward “Truck Chat Weekly Cheat Sheet” graphic highlighting driver input, TPMS benefits, and the end of International CV Series production.
Operationsby Lauren FletcherMay 4, 2026

Drivers Speak Up, TPMS Pays Off, and a Workhorse Retires | Weekly Cheat Sheet

Drivers are shaping fleet decisions, TPMS is delivering real savings, and a key workhorse is retiring. Plus quick hits on data, uptime, and new trucks.

Read More →
Graphic illustration of runners' feet on glowing pavement to the right, a big rig truck on the left, and headline for a virtual 5k to benefit truck drivers.
Operationsby News/Media ReleaseMay 1, 2026

St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund Launches 2nd Annual Virtual 5K to Support Health and Wellness for Professional Drivers

St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund’s 2nd Annual Virtual 5K raises funds and awareness for over-the-road truck drivers facing illness or injury, and there’s still time to participate in this year’s event.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Open glowing book on a wooden table with candles, quill, and maps, with golden light and magical particles rising from its pages in a fantasy-style illustration.
Operationsby Lauren FletcherMay 1, 2026

The Future of Storytelling Still Belongs To Humans

New tools always change the process. They do not replace the instinct. From portrait painters adapting to photography to creators navigating AI, the people who matter most are still the ones who know how to see.

Read More →
“Legends of Fleet” featuring a dark textured background with gold accents, large metallic gold title text centered, and a framed portrait of Carl Nelson with subtitle identifying him as a retired fleet manager, along with Work Truck and Legend logos at the top.
OperationsApril 30, 2026

Carl Nelson's Journey, Sliding into Success | Fleet Legends

With more than four decades of experience across fleets such as AT&T and AmeriGas, Carl built a reputation for doing the work, leading through change, and helping to move the industry forward without ever making it about himself.

Read More →
Breakdowns, data & insights are the topics of the April 2026 Truck Chat Monthly Recap sponsored by Chevron REGI
OperationsApril 28, 2026

Breakdowns, Data Action, and Driver Insight Take Center Stage | Truck Chat Monthly April Recap

In this month’s news recap, we’re digging into why trucks are still failing in the field, how fleets are finally turning data into action, why driver feedback is becoming a critical operational tool, how fleet leaders are finding their voice, and where simple tech like TPMS is delivering real results.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A graphic image showing charts and graphs depicting cargo theft in the first quarter of 2026.
Operationsby News/Media ReleaseApril 27, 2026

Cargo Theft Incident Volume Falls in First Quarter of 2026

Verisk CargoNet reported that supply chain crime events across the United States and Canada declined by 5.3% in the first quarter of 2026. However, confirmed cargo theft reports rose slightly, by 41 incidents.

Read More →
Graphic promoting Work Truck Exchange with bold text highlighting pre-scheduled meetings, limited spots remaining, and event details for Phoenix, Arizona.
Operationsby Lauren FletcherApril 27, 2026

Limited Spots Remain for Fleet Managers to Attend Work Truck Exchange

Limited spots remain for Work Truck Exchange in Phoenix. Fleet managers can connect through pre-scheduled meetings designed to deliver real solutions fast.

Read More →
Lauren Fletcher presenting Truck Chat Weekly Cheat Sheet graphic highlighting breakdowns, data action, and driver feedback trends in fleet operations.
Operationsby Lauren FletcherApril 27, 2026

Why Trucks Keep Failing, Plus Data Action and Driver Feedback

Fleets tackle breakdowns, act on data, and rethink driver feedback. Plus TPMS gains and key industry shifts in this week’s Truck Chat Cheat Sheet.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Shades of Fleet Veterans in Fleet graphic with American flags and Work Truck branding highlighting military veterans’ impact on fleet leadership and operations
Operationsby Lauren FletcherApril 24, 2026

Call for Voices: Inviting Veterans in Fleet to Share Their Stories

Veterans in fleet, it's your turn! share how military experience shapes leadership, discipline, and real-world decision-making across today’s operations.

Read More →