Hurricane Milton struck Florida’s Gulf Coast on October 9, 2024, making landfall as a Category 3 storm in Sarasota County and impacting nearby areas, including Tampa. The hurricane brought intense winds, heavy rainfall and a powerful storm surge less than two weeks after Hurricane Helene. 

Kinder Morgan’s Products Pipelines business segment’s team at the Tampa Terminal demonstrated their commitment to safety and teamwork during the days leading up to and immediately following Hurricane Milton’s landfall. Operations Manager Mark Whalen formed a team comprised of the local Tampa maintenance and operations groups, members of the Products (SE) Pipe Line Bremen team and many others from support groups across the Kinder Morgan organization to prepare for and address impacts from the storm. This collaborative effort made it possible for impacted facilities in the Tampa area to resume operations swiftly following the storm, which minimized local fuel distribution disruptions, including gasoline, diesel and jet fuel.

Preparation was essential in their response. Drawing from recent experience with Hurricane Helene, the team proactively relocated essential motors inland to protect them from potential flooding and fortified facilities with storm-resistant measures before evacuating the terminal. They also brought in additional pumps to manage water buildup during Hurricane Helene, which they kept onsite to address flooding from Hurricane Milton. Their foresight paid off – after the storm, they were ready to resume operations within just 24 hours. 



While the team maintained their commitment to safety as their top priority during the entire event, they also worked to take care of employees impacted by the storm. In fact, the team provided a generator to an employee who was recently injured from a motorcycle accident to ensure he could continue to comfortably recover from his injuries. Additionally, approximately 10 emergency kits were distributed to employees who had lost power.

“The emergency kit made a huge difference,” said Junior Torres, a technician for Kinder Morgan. “I had nine family members who evacuated their homes staying with me during the storm, including four children, and we were able to run AC units which made it a lot more comfortable for everyone in the house. My family and I are so grateful to Kinder Morgan for their support during the hurricane.” 

Beyond our facilities, the Tampa Electric Company (TECO) quicky recognized the critical role the Port of Tampa plays in fuel supply and swiftly restored power to the Port after the Hurricane. This action, in tandem with our onsite preparation and quick response, helped Kinder Morgan’s Tampa facilities resume fuel deliveries one day after the storm rather than several days.

Thanks to the Tampa team’s dedication, preparedness and teamwork, they not only ensured Kinder Morgan’s operational continuity but also provided critical support to the community. Their commitment to safety and each other during a challenging time truly exemplifies the spirit of Kinder Morgan.