Hurricane Milton Threatens Sarasota While Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Stays Out of the Path

Hurricane Milton, a formidable Category 5 storm projected to make landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast later this week, is causing significant concern throughout the region. However, former U.S. President Donald Trump‘s renowned properties along Florida’s east coast are expected to remain outside the immediate impact zone. This includes the famous Mar-a-Lago Club, located in Palm Beach.

The National Hurricane Center has noted that while Palm Beach, where Mar-a-Lago resides, is not within the current forecast cone, predictions are subject to change, and residents are warned to stay prepared. The National Weather Service in Miami anticipates heavy rainfall and winds potentially reaching tropical storm strength in the area.

Meanwhile, Trump’s Sarasota-based business, Trump Media and Technology Group, which runs the Truth Social platform, is directly in the path of the hurricane. The offices of this entity are bracing for Milton’s impact as it is expected to make landfall in the southeast United States late Wednesday. CNBC’s queries to Trump Media have so far gone unanswered regarding how they are preparing or handling the impending threat.

Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) acting director of response and recovery, Keith Turi, has urged residents, “Time is running out. Today and tomorrow are the days left to prepare prior to landfall.” The agency is stressing the importance of having evacuation plans ready due to an expected escalation in the storm’s strength as it approaches.

The impending hurricane has also influenced campaign activities, with Trump rescheduling a televised town hall originally planned for Tuesday in Miami with Univision due to safety concerns. His political activities have had to adapt to the immediate threat posed by Milton, reminiscent of recent political engagements disrupted by environmental events.

Historically, Mar-a-Lago has withstood numerous hurricanes, a fact often mentioned by former staff like Tony Senecal, highlighting the resilience of the infrastructure built by Marjorie Merriweather Post. The estate’s robust construction, with three-foot-thick walls anchored to coral reefs, has helped it endure various storms with minimal damage.

Since Trump’s acquisition of the mansion in 1985, and its subsequent transformation into a private club, preparations in the face of hurricanes have become routine. The staff implements measures such as securing loose outdoor furnishings and utilizing full-house generators, ensuring the club’s readiness for severe weather conditions.

The anticipation surrounding Hurricane Milton continues to grow, with forecasts indicating not just structural concerns but implications for the residents and the ongoing political landscape in Florida.