Florida Faces Double Disaster: Hurricane Milton and Political Storms 🌪️⚡
Florida is picking up the pieces after Hurricane Milton roared through, leaving at least 16 people dead and countless communities devastated. As residents begin the long road to recovery, political tensions are adding fuel to the fire. 🔥
\"It opens your eyes to what Mother Nature can do,\" said Chase Pierce, 25, from West St. Petersburg. \"I saw transformers blow up, sparks fly, and a power line fall right in my backyard.\" 😱
Considered the fifth-most-intense Atlantic hurricane on record, Milton could cost insurers up to $100 billion! 💸 The White House has pledged government support, but the political landscape is fraught with conflict.
Political Winds Swirl 🌪️
With the November 5 presidential election looming, Republican Donald Trump, who trails Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris in recent polls, criticized the government's storm recovery efforts.
\"The federal government… has not done what you're supposed to be doing, especially with respect to North Carolina,\" Trump remarked. North Carolina was hit hard by Hurricane Helene just two weeks prior, and the political stakes are high. 🎯
Harris fired back during a town hall on Univision, saying, \"Sadly, we've seen over the last two weeks, since Hurricane Helene, and now in the immediate aftermath of Milton, people are playing political games.\" 🗣️
Both parties remember how political missteps during Hurricane Katrina in 2005 impacted President George W. Bush's approval ratings. The pressure is on to respond effectively. ⏳
Double Trouble for Floridians 🌊🌪️
Residents are dealing with a double whammy. While Milton made landfall on the western coast, some of the worst damage occurred over 160 kilometers away on the eastern shore.
Advanced tornadoes in St. Lucie County tragically killed several people, including at least two residents in the Spanish Lakes senior communities. 💔
Power outages have affected 3.4 million homes and businesses—almost 30% of the state! ⚡ Some had just regained power after Hurricane Helene, only to lose it again.
Governor Ron DeSantis warned that although the \"worst-case scenario\" was avoided, the damage is still significant. The cleanup could take weeks or even months. 🧹
Stay strong, Florida! 💪 Our thoughts are with everyone affected by these storms.
Reference(s):
Florida counts cost of Hurricane Milton amid political storm
cgtn.com
