Matthew Klein Assistant Commissioner | U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Now that Hurricane Milton has passed through Florida, causing significant destruction, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is actively assisting the affected residents. CBP's efforts include deploying aircraft, floodwater crews, and urban search and rescue teams.
During the hurricane, CBP facilities in Tampa, Port Manatee, and Sarasota experienced power outages but are currently operational. Inspections of international travelers at Tampa International Airport have resumed.
Leading up to and following the storm's landfall, CBP maintained communication with airport and seaport stakeholders to ensure readiness for staffing international inspection facilities across Florida. The agency strategically pre-positioned Air and Marine Operations (AMO) aircraft, U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) Special Operations Group agents, including USBP Search, Trauma, and Rescue teams (BORSTAR), Office of Field Operations (OFO) Special Response Teams, and Disaster Assistance Response Teams.
AMO aircraft have been conducting aerial damage assessments of infrastructure and transportation systems. Real-time aerial imagery is being provided to Florida authorities to help prioritize rescue and recovery missions. CBP personnel are prepared for watercraft and urban search and rescue operations.
"Customs and Border Protection has long demonstrated how our unique and specialized capabilities...contribute to the whole of government response to help affected residents following these very destructive storms," said Carlos Martel, CBP’s Lead Field Coordinator and Director of Field Operations for the Miami-Tampa Field Office. "Despite the devastation, CBP remains focused on our vital border security mission."
Residents are advised to monitor local news reports for updates on disaster recovery information. State advice can be sought from the Florida Division of Emergency Management.
The AMO helicopter and fixed-wing crews have been deployed from various locations including Jacksonville, Miami, New Orleans, Tucson in Arizona, Corpus Christi, and McAllen in Texas.
CBP is recognized as America's largest law enforcement organization with over 65,000 personnel dedicated to protecting the country on multiple fronts while facilitating safe travel and trade.
