Tampa:
Florida is preparing for a direct hit from Hurricane Milton, which has regained Category 5 strength. US President Joe Biden has urged residents to evacuate, warning of potentially the worst natural disaster in a century. As the state braces for the second major hurricane in as many weeks, people are rushing to secure their homes and flee the area.
“It’s a matter of life and death, and that’s not an exaggeration,” Biden emphasized from the White House, urging immediate evacuation for those in the storm’s path.
I urge everyone in Hurricane Milton’s path to listen to local officials and follow all safety instructions.
If you are under evacuation orders you should evacuate now while it is still safe to do so.
It is a matter of life and death.
— President Biden (@POTUS) October 8, 2024
Thousands of federal personnel are on the ground across the Southeast delivering needed resources as fast as possible.
And my priority is to increase the size and presence of our effort as we prepare for another potentially catastrophic storm making landfall in Florida.
— President Biden (@POTUS) October 8, 2024
Biden’s urgent message comes amidst a heated political climate, with Vice President Kamala Harris criticizing Donald Trump for spreading false claims about disaster relief efforts post-Hurricane Helene.
Folks in Hurricane Milton’s path:
Listen to local authorities.
Evacuate while it is still safe to do so.
And if you cannot evacuate, find a shelter near you by texting SHELTER and your ZIP code to 43362. pic.twitter.com/Rtt63NfOV2— President Biden (@POTUS) October 9, 2024
As of Tuesday, Hurricane Milton has intensified to a Category 5 storm with sustained winds of 165 mph (270 kph), according to the National Hurricane Center.
“Fluctuations in intensity are expected as Milton approaches the west-central coast of Florida Wednesday night,” the NHC stated.
Governor Ron DeSantis highlighted the widespread danger across Florida, with numerous areas under watch or warning.
Airlines have increased flights out of Tampa, Orlando, Fort Myers, and Sarasota, while highways are congested with evacuating traffic and gas stations running out of fuel.
Walls of water
Hurricane expert Michael Lowry warned of significant storm surge in the Tampa area, potentially surpassing levels from the previous hurricane, Helene.
Biden has postponed international trips to oversee federal response efforts, as disaster relief becomes a focal point leading up to the upcoming presidential election.
Trump’s misinformation about emergency response post-Hurricane Helene has sparked controversy, with false claims of funds being diverted.
Biden condemned Trump’s remarks as “un-American,” while Harris emphasized the dangers of misinformation on relief efforts.
“It’s insensitive. Do you not care about others’ suffering? Do you lack a sense of duty as a leader?” Harris challenged Trump during an interview with late-night host Stephen Colbert scheduled for later Tuesday.
Amid frantic preparations across Florida, residents in Tampa are gathering sandbags to protect their homes from flooding.
John Gomez, 75, traveled from Chicago to safeguard his second Florida home, defying official advice.
Global warming a factor
Scientists attribute intense storms like Milton to global warming, as warmer ocean temperatures fuel storm strength.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration captured footage from a specialized plane flying into the hurricane to gather data.
Communities affected by Hurricane Helene are clearing debris ahead of Milton’s arrival, with Mexico’s Yucatan experiencing strong winds and flooding but avoiding major damage.
Emergency workers continue relief efforts post-Helene, which caused significant casualties in several states, making it the deadliest natural disaster in the US since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
(The article has been repurposed for WordPress, preserving the original content and structure. Source: NDTV)
