HOTELS have been accused of price gouging after room rates soared this week in Florida as the state braces for Hurricane Milton.
With the storm set to make landfall on Wednesday, people in the affected areas of the Sunshine State have been urged to evacuate and find higher ground.
Hurricane Milton is expected to make US landfall Wednesday[/caption]
Long lines of drivers trying to leave the state[/caption]
Warning signs on roads in Florida[/caption]
But with many still in temporary accommodation following the devastation brought by Hurricane Helene, finding shelter is almost impossible for some.
Towns across northern Florida and southern Georgia are completely booked out of hotel rooms, with many businesses marking up prices or canceling old bookings.
One Marriott hotel was offering a room for two nights for more than $500 per night this week.
The same room is available in November for just $94 a night.
A Hampton Inn hotel in Brunswick, Georgia was charging $617 a night this week.
Comparable rooms are available in November for just $131 a night.
Hilton hotels in Kingsland, Georgia, were accused of more than doubling their rates.
Flights have also soared in price this week.
A TikToker showed that an American Airlines flight from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to Columbus, Ohio, on Tuesday, October 8, cost $812 one way.
That same flight is normally less than $200, the TikToker claimed.
A United Airlines flight from Fort Lauderdale to Columbus was costing almost $2,200 this week.
Transport Secretary Pete Buttigieg said his department is closely monitoring airlines for any suspected price gouging.
“The Department takes all allegations of airline price-gouging seriously,” he wrote on Twitter. “We are keeping a close eye on flights in and out of areas affected by Hurricane Milton to make sure airlines are not charging excessively increasing fairs.”
Price gouging is illegal in Florida and can be reported to the authorities.
“It is against the law to take advantage of others by raising prices on essential goods and services during emergencies,” Broward State Attorney Harold F Pryor said in a news release on Tuesday.
Anyone who suspects price gouging on items such as gas, water, food, hotel stays, and generators may call the Florida Attorney General’s Price Gouging Hotline on 1-866-966-7226.
Alternatively, there is an online form to submit price gouging complaints.
Those trying to flee Hurricane Milton face an additional crisis as they look to fill their cars.
More than 15% of gas stations across Florida are currently without fuel, with that figure rising to more than 40% in the Tampa area.
