Over 200 price gouging complaints as Florida residents evacuate ahead of Hurricane Milton

Source: USA Today

Published 3:21 a.m. ET Oct. 9, 2024 | Updated 3:28 a.m. ET Oct. 9, 2024


TALLAHASSEE, FLA. — Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has received more than 200 complaints about price gouging as many thousands of residents prepared to evacuate from Hurricane Milton. As of Monday, most complaints are about fuel and water, said Kylie Mason, Moody's spokesperson.

The top three counties for complaints are Highlands, Hillsborough, and Pinellas. There were also scattered instances involving overnight accommodations, including one Airbnb listing of a "room in Tallahassee" for nearly $6,000 a night. "Our team already reached out to our (Airbnb) corporate contact and tracked down the owner," Mason said. "We are sharing a copy of the price gouging statute ... and making them aware of their legal responsibility."

Moody extended Florida’s Price Gouging Hotline, which was in effect for Hurricane Helene and Milton. The storm regained Category 5 strength Tuesday as it barreled across the Gulf of Mexico and toward the Florida peninsula, where millions scrambled to wrap up storm preparations and evacuate vulnerable areas.

The National Hurricane Center said damaging winds, life-threatening storm surge, and heavy rainfall will extend well outside the forecast cone. Hurricane warning maps show Florida blanketed in red and orange alerts.

Read more: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/10/09/hurricane-milton-florida-price-gouging-complaints/75582914007/