Hurricane Milton Upgraded to Category 5, Florida Braces for Impact

Hurricane Milton intensified rapidly from a Category 3 to a Category 5 storm, with sustained winds of 160 mph, while moving east-southeast over the southern Gulf of Mexico. The storm’s center was predicted to make landfall on Florida’s west coast, endangering areas like Tampa with possible storm surges up to 20 feet.

State of Emergency Declared

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for 51 counties as residents prepared for the storm’s impact, expected to be significant with potential widespread devastation. Plans for evacuation and storm preparedness were urged as Governor DeSantis anticipated major impacts from Milton.

FEMA Blasts Trump’s ‘Dangerous Narrative’

Amidst preparations for Hurricane Milton, FEMA refuted false claims made by former President Trump regarding disaster relief funds. The agency emphasized the importance of accurate information dissemination during crisis situations to avoid chaos and confusion.

Scientists highlighted the role of climate change in intensifying extreme weather events like hurricanes, underlining the need for collective action to address environmental challenges.