Hurricane Milton
American authorities reported, this Thursday morning (10), that at least 10 people died during the passage of Hurricane Milton in Florida, considered one of the most dangerous phenomena of recent times. The hurricane made landfall in the state at around 8:30 pm (local time) this Wednesday (9), according to information from the NHC (National Hurricane Center).
According to NBC News, the latest death count rose after Volusia County Sheriff Michael J. Chitwood confirmed that three people had died in his jurisdiction.
“One person died after a tree fell, he did not know at this time how the other two died,” he said.
The deaths were reported in Saint Lucie County, located about 140 miles (225 kilometers) east of Sarasota on the Gulf of Mexico coast. County Sheriff Keith Pearson reported in an interview with WPTV-TV about “multiple fatalities”, although he did not specify the exact number. A fire department spokesperson told NBC News that at least two people died, and several others were taken to hospitals.
The deaths occurred at a nursing home near Fort Pierce. The sheriff mentioned that crews are checking all homes to help those affected, with search and rescue operations underway. “This is a weather event like no other,” he said, revealing that between “6 to 12” tornadoes touched down in the county, damaging or destroying more than 100 homes.
Spokesman Erick Grill said the county already has three shelters, but is considering converting another school into a fourth shelter to serve those left homeless by the tornadoes. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis reported that 116 tornado warnings had been issued, with 19 confirmed on the same date.
Hurricane Milton arrived in Florida with maximum winds of 193 km/h, according to agency reports. The Florida Division of Emergency Management warned residents to continue sheltering in place and remain vigilant. Evacuation centers in Sarasota are overcrowded, housing nearly 10,000 people and 1,700 pets, the largest number ever recorded during an evacuation in the city of 57,000.
Originating off the Mexican coast, Hurricane Milton rapidly intensified between Monday (7) and Tuesday (8), with wind gusts exceeding 280 km/h, but slowed down as it approached the continent. To be classified as a hurricane, specific characteristics are required, including tropical origin and winds exceeding 119 km/h.
Residents were advised to prepare for the possible impacts of the hurricane. Bradentown Mayor Gene Brown suggested that those who chose to remain in town write their names on their arms, to facilitate identification in the event of fatalities.
Before reaching the United States, Milton had already caused floods, blackouts and river overflows in Yucatán (Mexico) and flooding in Havana (Cuba), despite not being directly in the hurricane’s path.
At least 301 hurricanes passed through the United States between 1851 and 2022. Florida had 120 storms in this period and Texas, 63. Then come the states of Louisiana (63), North Carolina (58), South Carolina (32) , Alabama (23) and Georgia (21). In total, 19 North American states have already been affected by some type of hurricane.
