As Hurricanes Helene and Milton devastated parts of the southeastern United States, they not only brought destruction in their wake but also highlighted a disturbing pattern of corporate exploitation during natural disasters. As thousands of residents fled the path of these catastrophic storms, reports of airlines, hotels, and other companies inflating prices emerged, raising concerns over corporate profiteering during emergencies.
Hurricane Milton, a Category 5 storm fueled by record-high ocean temperatures, barreled toward Florida’s Gulf Coast. Meanwhile, communities in North Carolina and Georgia, still reeling from the effects of Hurricane Helene, faced similar challenges, not only from the physical destruction but also from opportunistic price gouging.
The Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC), led by Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), along with Florida representatives, issued a statement condemning companies that took advantage of the desperate need for evacuation. “Exploiting vulnerable people fleeing a deadly storm for higher profits is a new low,” Jayapal said in the joint statement with Reps. Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.), Darren Soto (D-Fla.), and Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.). The statement further condemned the airlines and hotels “charging astronomical fares only the rich can afford.”
These lawmakers’ statements came amid a flood of price-gouging complaints from Florida residents who were struggling to escape Hurricane Milton. Many reported sky-high ticket prices for last-minute flights. One woman recounted to the Associated Press how prices tripled “in a matter of seconds” as she tried to book a flight out of Florida. “There were prices even as high as $1,000 for one leg. So wrong! So wrong!” she said, expressing her outrage at the exploitative practice.
Reports from across the state echoed these complaints. A Hampton Inn in Brunswick, Georgia, was charging over $600 per night for a room that normally costs around $130. Similar stories emerged from various hotel chains, such as Hilton and Marriott, with prices doubling or tripling for evacuees. Airbnb listings were also subject to gouging, with one listing in Tallahassee asking nearly $6,000 per night for a room.
Florida’s attorney general’s office was inundated with complaints. The Tallahassee Democrat reported that hundreds of residents had reached out about inflated prices for fuel, water, and hotel accommodations. “During a storm-related state of emergency, state law prohibits price gouging for equipment, food, gasoline, hotel rooms, ice, lumber, and water needed as a direct result of the event,” the outlet reminded its readers. Yet, despite these regulations, price gouging persisted as people scrambled to find safety.
The Biden administration has also been vocal about the issue. President Joe Biden called on airlines and other companies to stop price gouging and provide as much support as possible to assist evacuations. “I’m calling on the airlines and other companies to provide as much service as possible to accommodate evacuations and not to engage in price gouging, to just do it on the level,” Biden said.
The Department of Transportation, led by Secretary Pete Buttigieg, took notice of the complaints and began monitoring airlines. Buttigieg said the department was “keeping a close eye on flights in and out of areas affected by Hurricane Milton to make sure airlines are not charging excessively increasing fares.”
Yet, for many, the damage had already been done. Thousands of evacuees faced difficulty not only finding affordable flights but also securing gas for the drive out of the state. By Tuesday, 43% of gas stations in the Tampa area were out of fuel, leaving residents scrambling to evacuate.
The hurricanes highlighted the systemic problem of price gouging during emergencies. While state laws exist to curb such behavior, enforcement is often challenging, and corporations frequently find ways to skirt the rules. The progressive lawmakers emphasized that more stringent federal action is needed to prevent price gouging in future disasters. “This egregious price gouging hampers evacuations and undermines recovery efforts, while putting vulnerable residents in serious jeopardy,” the CPC members stated.
The lawmakers welcomed the Transportation Department’s efforts but urged a more comprehensive response. “We will need a whole-of-government focus on protecting the people impacted by these disasters from predatory price gouging,” they said, calling for a federal ban on price gouging and stronger antitrust laws to hold corporations accountable.
The connection between climate change and increasingly destructive hurricanes like Milton and Helene cannot be ignored. Record-high ocean temperatures, exacerbated by the climate crisis, fueled Milton’s rapid intensification. The Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean reached unprecedented temperatures, creating the perfect conditions for more powerful storms. Meteorologists were shocked at how quickly Milton gathered strength, transforming from a tropical storm to a Category 5 hurricane in a matter of hours.
As climate change drives more intense weather events, corporate profiteering during disasters will continue to be an issue unless stronger regulations are put in place. The progressive lawmakers made it clear that their efforts to protect residents from corporate exploitation are part of a broader commitment to addressing the climate crisis and ensuring that people are not left vulnerable to both natural disasters and corporate greed.
“Further action is still needed from the federal government to stop the corporate exploitation that impacts all areas of American life,” the lawmakers concluded. “We need a federal ban on price gouging, more stringent antitrust laws and enforcement, and for Congress to reassert its role and governing power in this space—something CPC is deeply committed to and actively engaged in.”
Alexandra Jacobo is a dedicated progressive writer, activist, and mother with a deep-rooted passion for social justice and political engagement. Her journey into political activism began in 2011 at Zuccotti Park, where she supported the Occupy movement by distributing blankets to occupiers, marking the start of her earnest commitment to progressive causes. Driven by a desire to educate and inspire, Alexandra focuses her writing on a range of progressive issues, aiming to foster positive change both domestically and internationally. Her work is characterized by a strong commitment to community empowerment and a belief in the power of informed public action. As a mother, Alexandra brings a unique and personal perspective to her activism, understanding the importance of shaping a better world for future generations. Her writing not only highlights the challenges we face but also champions the potential for collective action to create a more equitable and sustainable world.