Tropical Storm Milton has been upgraded to a Category 1 hurricane and is expected to hit Florida's Gulf Coast midweek, prompting a state of emergency in 51 of 67 counties. Governor Ron DeSantis warned that 'a major hurricane is the most likely outcome' and described the storm's path as 'not a good track for the state of Florida.'
The hurricane threatens to become an 'October surprise' with just 30 days until the US presidential election. Experts warn that the devastation from Hurricane Helene, which killed nearly 230 people last month, and now Milton could affect voter turnout in key swing states like North Carolina and Florida. Political scientist Chris Cooper noted that 'every little tweak could be the tweak that makes the difference' in such closely contested states.
Florida officials are preparing for what could be the largest evacuation since Hurricane Irma in 2017. Kevin Guthrie, head of Florida's Division of Emergency Management, urged residents to 'finalize your storm preparations now' and 'highly encourage you to evacuate.' Attorney General Ashley Moody issued a stark warning to those who defy evacuation orders, suggesting they write their names on their arms so rescue teams can identify their bodies.
The Biden administration and FEMA have faced criticism for their response to Hurricane Helene, with some residents in North Carolina reporting that FEMA agents refused to bypass 'road closed' signs to reach affected areas. As Hurricane Milton approaches, concerns grow over the combined impact of back-to-back storms on vulnerable communities.
