DeSantis criticized for campaigning out of state amid Broward flood recovery

Normalcy appeared to return to South Florida gas stations this weekend, perhaps quelling a political firestorm as well.

The return of fuel abundancy followed a week in which drivers across the region scrambled to find fuel and Gov. Ron DeSantis took heat from partisan rivals for his out-of-state political travels while the state's senior U.S. senator got roasted on social media for complaining about the scarcity of fuel.

Late Friday, however, Port Everglades officials said all gas terminals were again operational just over a week after record-setting rainfall in the Fort Lauderdale area created a significant disruption in the ability of companies to distribute fuel from the port to 12 Florida counties.

The inability to move fuel out of the port was a political football throughout the week.

Former President Donald Trump's campaign issued a statement on Friday afternoon — a statement filled with unproven statements — claiming that "nearly half of the gas stations in Miami and Fort Lauderdale are without fuel" and those motorists able to acquire gasoline "will be paying a stiff premium" for it.

"While Ron DeSantis engages in a weeks-long shadow campaign for president boasting his playbook, Florida continues to tumble into complete and total delinquency and destruction," the statement read.

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That followed a news conference in Broward County on Tuesday in which Florida Democrats called out DeSantis for "campaigning outside of the state" in the week after a once-in-a-millennium monsoon dumped 2 feet of rain in the Fort Lauderdale area, inundating the airport and causing havoc with fuel shipments out of the nearby Port Everglades.

Since the historic rains on April 12, DeSantis has made appearances in Virginia, Ohio, New Hampshire and Washington, D.C. Some of these events were for his book tour, while the governor reportedly sought to procure congressional endorsements in his visit to the nation's capital.

"When there is a disaster that happens in a part of our state, he (DeSantis) has an obligation to be here to say that he is going to put the full weight of the governor's office," Democratic Party chair Nikki Fried said.

U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio also took a thrashing when he complained about the lackluster movement on fuel in and out of Port Everglades in Twitter posts.

“FOUR DAYS and they still can’t figure out how to get enough gasoline to South #Florida,” Rubio wrote in frustration.

One Twitter user commented: "BREAKING: Area senator wishes he could find someone with some sort of power to fix this darn thing he’s doing nothing to fix," as a reminder that Rubio as a U.S. senator has greater ability to weigh in on government policy than the average citizen.

Rubio also was the target of a stinging retort from New York Congresswoman Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez, who wrote: "Like there is no way the Senator doesn’t have the Governor’s phone number. Try calling him! Find out what the problems are! Call the admin! Give people specific updates!"

DeSantis' choice to travel to other states, rather than tour the scene of the mid-month mess left by the severe downpours, is a departure from prior practice.

By Friday, however, the flood waters had receded and the gasoline shortage was gradually recovering, said Lamar Fisher, a Broward County commissioner serving this year as county mayor.

Broward County response, state has been 'absolutely phenomenal'

Fisher, a Democrat, said state officials and, in part, the Florida Division of Emergency Management have been "absolutely phenomenal."

He said multiple agencies have been collaborating to repair damage in hard-hit cities like Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood and Dania Beach, and FEMA was on-site at some of the most affected communities, including Edgewood and Melrose Park.

Fisher said DeSantis declared a state of emergency and that the governor called him personally to let him know that his office and resources were at the county's disposal. Fisher said he appreciated the call and the help.

"It wouldn't have made a difference. He sent all the resources immediately to us," Fisher said regarding the governor not visiting the scene. "How can you ask for any more?"

Stephany Matat is a politics reporter for The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY-Florida network. Reach her at smatat@pbpost.com. Support local journalism: Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: DeSantis ripped for travel out of state amid Florida gasoline shortage