TOPSHOT-US-WEATHER-HURRICANE-MILTON Image: BRYAN R. SMITH (AFP)
The storm, complete with torrential rain, triggered at least 19 tornadoes and destroyed around 125 homes. More than 1.9 million people are without electricity. According to media reports, there are the first confirmed deaths. A tornado is said to have killed several people.
Shortly before “Milton” hit the coast, it had been downgraded from the highest category 5 to 4 and later 3. It later weakened to level 2. The US hurricane center continued to speak of “dangerous” winds with sustained speeds of 165 kilometers per hour. “Milton” is expected to continue to maintain hurricane strength as it moves across the state and will only weaken over the sea, it said.
“Milton” now threatens the greater Tampa Bay area, where more than three million people live. According to predictions, sea levels could rise by up to four meters. At sea, the hurricane caused waves up to 8.5 meters high, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Preparations for search and rescue operations
Authorities were preparing for extensive search and rescue operations that may last throughout the night. “That means almost all rescue work will have to be done in the dark, in the middle of the night, but that’s OK. They’ll get there,” said Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
- Read more: The Great Escape from Hurricane Milton
Meteorologists predicted it could be one of the most dangerous storms in the state’s history. In addition to extreme wind speeds, heavy rain and dangerous storm surges are expected, which could cause widespread flooding.
Authorities ordered the evacuation of several coastal areas. Millions of people were asked to leave their homes and seek safety. Many responded to the call – there were reports of traffic jams and shortages of fuel and emergency shelter. Finally, the authorities asked people to barricade themselves where they were (“shelter in place”) because safe evacuation was no longer possible.
Extensive relief measures
Preparations were in full swing until the last minute. The US government initiated extensive relief measures to support the affected areas. The Pentagon mobilized thousands of National Guard troops to help with rescue operations and aid distribution. Emergency centers were also set up to ensure rapid assistance during and after the storm.
- Also read: Because of Hurricane “Milton”: Biden cancels trip to Germany
A week and a half ago, Storm “Helene” caused severe damage in Florida and several other states. Well over 200 people died. Given the arrival of “Milton”, many of those affected in Florida had no time to recover from the destruction.
Swift donated $5 million
Pop superstar Taylor Swift (34) has donated five million US dollars (around 4.5 million euros) for the hurricane victims. The aid organization Feeding America said on social media that they were incredibly grateful to the singer for her generous donation to help the victims of hurricanes Helene and Milton. The money would go toward providing food and other supplies and rebuilding communities.
In view of the impending catastrophe, US President Joe Biden postponed his planned trip to Germany and Angola at short notice. Shortly before the hurricane hit, he again warned of the extreme strength of the storm. “It looks like the storm of the century,” he said at a meeting with key agency officials. Vice President Kamala Harris also attended the live televised meeting. Biden later addressed the population again to warn of the impending dangers.
Trump at the forefront of the disinformation campaign
The US President also addressed the spread of misinformation. In recent weeks, “reckless, irresponsible and merciless” lies have been circulated that have unsettled people. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is at the forefront of this disinformation campaign, Biden said.
During his campaign appearances, Trump had, among other things, spread the conspiracy theory that funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency Fema would flow to migrants without legal status in order to persuade them to vote illegally for the Democratic presidential candidate Harris. Biden firmly rejected this. The US President called false claims by Republican MP Marjorie Taylor Greene that the federal government controls the weather “more than ridiculous.”
It’s not often that Biden mentions Trump or other politicians by name in his speeches – this underscores how much the hurricane is becoming a political issue and playing a role in the election campaign. Less than a month before the presidential election on November 5th, polls show a very close race between Harris and Trump.
Source: Nachrichten
