Two people were killed and seven injured, including a police officer, in a Florida bar shooting. The shootout followed an altercation where a patron shot a security guard, who returned fire. Six patrons and a police officer were wounded. The U.S. has the highest rate of gun homicides among high-income, populous nations.
The tragic death toll in Florida, resulting from Hurricane Milton, has unfortunately increased to at least sixteen. Many of these fatalities are attributed to the devastating tornadoes that ravaged the state before the hurricane’s arrival. The tempest has since weakened and vanished over the Atlantic.
By Thursday evening, rescue crews had successfully completed over one thousand life-saving interventions.
Florida’s governor, Ron DeSantis, issued a solemn warning that the number of victims will probably increase as search and rescue operations proceed.
At least six people sadly perished in St. Lucie County, located on Florida’s eastern coast. These deaths were a direct consequence of the ferocious tornadoes that struck ahead of Milton’s arrival.
Authorities report that a number of individuals lost their lives when tornadoes, spawned by Milton, struck the Spanish Lakes Country Village retirement community in northern Fort Pierce on Wednesday afternoon.
Volusia County’s Sheriff Michael J. Chitwood confirmed three further fatalities in the state’s eastern region.
Two additional deaths were recorded in St. Petersburg, on Florida’s western shore, following Milton’s landfall on Wednesday night.
The hurricane impacted the land near Sarasota, in the Siesta Key area, late Wednesday, carrying maximum sustained winds of 205 kilometers per hour—classifying it as a Category 3 storm.
Milton is the second hurricane to strike Florida in less than a fortnight, following the intense Category 4 Hurricane Helene on September 26. Helene’s path of destruction through the state’s northwestern area left a trail of devastation and loss across six southeastern states.
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Hurricane Milton: A Trail of Devastation Across Florida
The death toll from Hurricane Milton in Florida has tragically risen to at least sixteen, a stark reminder of the storm’s devastating power. While the hurricane itself has weakened and moved out over the Atlantic, its legacy remains etched in the landscape and the hearts of Floridians. The storm’s impact was compounded by a series of ferocious tornadoes that tore through the state before Milton’s arrival, claiming the lives of many. By Thursday evening, rescue crews had performed over one thousand life-saving interventions, a testament to the heroic efforts in the face of such widespread destruction [Source needed].
The grim reality is that the death toll is likely to climb further, as Governor Ron DeSantis solemnly warned. Search and rescue operations are ongoing, and the full extent of the damage is still being assessed. St. Lucie County on Florida’s eastern coast was particularly hard hit, with at least six fatalities directly attributed to tornadoes preceding the hurricane’s landfall [Source needed]. One such tragedy unfolded at the Spanish Lakes Country Village retirement community in northern Fort Pierce, where multiple lives were lost when tornadoes struck Wednesday afternoon [Source needed]. Further east, Volusia County Sheriff Michael J. Chitwood confirmed three additional deaths [Source needed], while two more were reported in St. Petersburg on the state’s western shore following Milton’s landfall Wednesday night [Source needed].
Milton made landfall near Sarasota, in the Siesta Key area, late Wednesday, packing maximum sustained winds of 205 kilometers per hour (Category 3) [Source needed]. This marks the second hurricane to strike Florida in less than two weeks, following the intense Category 4 Hurricane Helene on September 26th, which ravaged the northwestern part of the state and caused widespread destruction across six southeastern states [Source needed]. The combined impact of these two storms has left a trail of devastation and immeasurable loss across Florida, underscoring the urgent need for improved preparedness and response strategies for future extreme weather events. While the immediate crisis may be subsiding, the long road to recovery for the affected communities and families has just begun.
After hitting the north coast of Florida on Thursday night, Hurricane Helene It passed through Georgia, the Carolinas, and into Tennessee, 500 miles (800 kilometers) inland. After impacting the Big Bend area as a Category 4 hurricane and continuing its path north, the cyclone became a tropical storm, but its consequences were no less serious. Helene It has caused at least 52 deaths and left millions without power in the southeastern United States, as well as billions of dollars in damage and a continued risk of flooding in parts of the Appalachians.
The storm is expected to remain over the Tennessee Valley on Saturday and Sunday, according to the National Hurricane Center. Several flood warnings remain in effect in parts of southern and central Appalachia, while high wind warnings also cover parts of Tennessee and as far away as Ohio.
According to the AP count, the 52 confirmed deaths are spread across Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. Although the figure is likely to increase in the coming days when areas that remain flooded and inaccessible for the moment can be accessed.
The Big Bend swamp area, right where the Florida peninsula juts out to sea, has taken a direct hit from three hurricanes since August 2023. Experts have warned that it reflects a trend caused by the record-breaking water temperature of the Gulf of Mexico, which generates storms that intensify strongly, sometimes in a matter of hours, as was the case with Helene, which went from category 1 to 4 on Thursday afternoon.
In Atlanta, Georgia, a rainfall record was broken. In 48 hours the city received 11.12 inches (28.24 cm) of water, the largest amount recorded since precipitation began to be recorded in 1878. Flooding in the country’s sixth metropolitan area is severe and persistent.
Western North Carolina was virtually isolated due to mudslides and flooding that forced the closure of several highways. And the city of Asheville has been submerged, fulfilling the forecasts of meteorologists who had warned of the possibility of a repetition of an event that had last happened in 1916. In the area, on Saturday morning there was also no electricity or coverage. phone.
Residents paddle through the waters of their neighborhood after Tropical Storm Helene passed through Atlanta, Georgia, on September 27, 2024.ERIK S. LESSER (EFE)Likewise, even further north, landslides in the Appalachian Mountains washed out parts of the interstate highway around the North Carolina-Tennessee border. With the storm still present in this area, forecasters have warned that the flooding could be the worst in a century and emergency services are prepared to deal with the damage over the next few days and even weeks.
As for property damage, Moody’s Analytics has said it estimates the cost will be between $15 billion and $26 billion. In Georgia, “catastrophic” damage to electrical infrastructure has been reported, with more than 100 high-voltage lines affected. And in South Carolina, where 40% of the population was without power on Saturday around noon, the damage was barely being assessed due to the difficulty of access due to the level of destruction.
For now, administrations have asked people trapped in their homes in the different affected States to call rescue teams. The order is to avoid venturing into flood waters, as they can be highly dangerous due to loose electrical wires and other types of debris.
Helene It was the eighth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, which began on June 1. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has predicted an above-average season this year due to record-breaking ocean temperatures. With temperature records broken year after year recently, seasons like this may be the new norm.
Flooded streets in Newport, Tennessee, this September 27 after Helene passed as a tropical storm. CURTIS HANCE/H&H VAPORS (Reuters)
Today Friday September 20th marks an important day in Floridawhere you start to notice a change in weather conditions as we approach the autumn equinox. This transition period is a relief for many residents who experienced the intense heat and the high humidity of summer. However, the days vary and Attention should be paid to rising temperatures.
With this promising scenario, we provide you with a Detailed overview of the weather in some of the major cities in Floridawith updated information from the National Weather Service (NWS).
In Miami, weather conditions today are with a maximum temperature of 87 °F (31 °C) and a low of 77°F (25°C). The wind chill value is 88°F (31°C), indicating a mix of heat and humidity. The wind is blowing at 6 mph, which is not enough to mitigate the feeling of heat.Humidity is at 79 percent, creating a typically tropical environment.
In Orlando, the situation is similar, but with slight variations. The maximum temperature will reach 89 °F (32 °C)with a low of 73 °F (23 °C). The wind chill value is also 88 °F (31 °C), an indication of the high humidity level, which in this case is 80 percent. With a wind of 8 mph, the breeze could offer some relief, but it is essential to take precautions outdoors.. Plans for theme park activities should include frequent breaks in shaded areas.
In Jacksonville, the weather is a bit cooler, with a high of 85 °F (29 °C) and a low of 72 °F (22 °C). Wind chill today feels cooler at 85°F (29°C)Humidity sits at 84 percent, contributing to a sticky atmosphere. With a wind gust of 7 mph, it is recommended to enjoy outdoor activities in the cooler morning hours or at dusk.
What determines the climate?
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Finally, in Tampa, Temperatures are slightly higher, reaching a high of 90 °F (32 °C) and a low of 73 °F (23 °C). The wind chill is up to 89°F (32°C), with humidity at 73 percent. The wind is nearly calm, which can make the heat feel more intense. For those planning to spend time outdoors, It is essential to consider sun protection and stay well hydrated..
