At least 16 deaths are confirmed after Hurricane Milton
Hurricane Milton Brings Devastation to Florida
16 Dead, 2 Million Without Power in Florida as Disney World Closes
Good morning, and welcome to this Friday broadcast. I’m Joe, and I’m here with Savannah off. We start this hour with a grim report from Florida, where at least 16 people have been confirmed dead after Hurricane Milton tore across the central part of the state on Wednesday and Thursday.
Historic Rainfall Wreaks Havoc
The storm surge wasn’t as bad as expected, but historic rainfall has triggered life-threatening floods in low-lying areas, with more than 5,500 rescues already conducted. Early Insurance estimates suggest that there could be up to $50 billion in losses.
Gov’t and Rescue Efforts Underway
As officials begin to assess the magnitude of the disaster, the state of emergency has been declared in several counties. Officials have made more than 5,500 rescues, and gov’t teams are working tirelessly to restore power and clear debris.
Rescue Mission in Vocha County
NBC News’ National Climate Reporter, Chase Kane, is live in Daytona Beach, which was hit particularly hard by the storm. Chase, can you tell us what it’s like on the ground there?
Chase Kane’s Report
"Good morning, Joe. An overnight curfew has just lifted, allowing Public Works and utility crews to get out and try to restore power and clean up quickly. The biggest impact here has been from flooding, and even a few hours ago, the beach behind me was virtually non-existent. The storm surge ate away at the sand, pulling it out to the ocean. This is the same area that was affected by Hurricane Nicole just a couple of years ago, and it’s a stark reminder of what’s happening on the East Coast. The community is already starting to rebuild, but they’re facing significant challenges, including flooding and insurance woes."
Challenges Ahead
"It’s not just the flooding, Joe. Folks are struggling with the uncertainty of their future. We spoke to a local resident who’s lived in the area for nearly 50 years and is questioning whether she’ll be able to stay. ‘I just don’t know if I can keep doing this,’ she said. ‘I’ve just finished fixing the damage from Ian, and now I have to replace the entire house again. I’m not sure where to go.’" This is the sentiment echoed by many in Florida, where insurance coverage is becoming increasingly unaffordable for those impacted by climate change.
Climate Change Connection
As we discussed earlier, climate change is fueling these monstrous storms. Record-high water temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico contributed to Milton’s rapid intensification, and the warmer atmosphere can hold more water vapor, leading to devastating rain dumps. Later today, we’ll have a rapid attribution report from European scientists analyzing the role climate change played in intensifying Hurricane Milton.
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