Florida Faces $3 Billion Damage from Rapidly Intensifying Hurricanes, Residents Demand Better Flood Management
October 20, 2024The storm resulted in over 12 inches of rain falling within 24 hours, overwhelming the stormwater system and causing significant flooding in local lakes and rivers.
Treasure Island's fire chief reported that the community is currently in the recovery phase following Hurricane Milton.
In Polk County, residents are demanding answers regarding ongoing flooding weeks after Hurricane Milton impacted the area, highlighting concerns about the city's flood management efforts.
Recent studies indicate a global rise in the rapid intensification of hurricanes, with human-caused warming contributing to an increased likelihood of major storms.
Brian McNoldy from the University of Miami highlighted trends showing storms are intensifying more quickly and producing greater rainfall, complicating the relationship between hurricane frequency and climate change.
In Florida, residents are grappling with power outages and flooding in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, which has left many homes damaged.
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson estimated that the destruction from the hurricane could reach between $2.5 to $3 billion, with recovery efforts expected to last 18 to 36 months.
Local residents, including Jason Brazinski, described the flooding caused by Hurricane Milton as unprecedented, indicating a long recovery process ahead.
Despite the extensive damage caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has downplayed the connection between these storms and climate change.
Activists and residents gathered outside the Cinnamon Cove Apartments to demand free housing for tenants during repairs after Hurricane Milton.
The combined impact of Hurricanes Milton and Helene has resulted in over 250 fatalities and extensive infrastructure damage across a broad area.
As communities continue to recover, concerns persist about future storms and the effectiveness of current flood management strategies.
Summary based on 16 sources
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Sources
Forbes • Oct 21, 2024
Climate Change Made Hurricane Milton More DestructiveYahoo News • Oct 21, 2024
Edited video of Hurricane Matthew in 2016 falsely shared as MiltonYahoo News • Oct 21, 2024
AI-generated footage circulates in posts about Hurricane MiltonCBS Chicago • Oct 21, 2024
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