An Atlantic storm named 'Dolly' could sweep over Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate just days after the death of country icon Dolly Parton. The storm currently has a 60% chance of becoming a tropical storm or depression, according to the National Hurricane Centre.
Storm's Path and Timing
Meteorologists announced an "astonishing coincidence" after the storm, named 'Dolly', started rolling westwards over the ocean towards the central US. It could hit Puerto Rico and the Caribbean islands by the weekend, with its natural path then set to sweep over Florida and Mar-a-Lago.
Dolly Parton died aged 80 on August 25, leaving millions of music fans in mourning. The storm's name was chosen 30 years ago and is in no way related to her death.
President's Claim About Parton
The US President was keen to be seen grieving, telling podcast host Glenn Beck that Parton "really liked him". He said: "We all knew her so well. I knew her a little bit.... She really liked me."
Parton, known for her extensive philanthropic work, remained politically neutral but was twice offered the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Trump. Both times she turned down the President, saying she didn't feel she "deserved the award". She was also an outspoken advocate for the queer community and criticised a transgender ban in Tennessee in 2023.
Storm Name History
According to the National Hurricane Centre's website, it does not control the naming of tropical storms or when the names are used. "Instead a strict procedure has been established by an international committee of the World Meteorological Organization," the website states.
'Dolly' was assigned to a storm three times during Parton's lifetime, and was last used for a tropical storm in 2020. In 2008, a storm named 'Dolly' collided with southern Texas, bringing some much-needed wetness to the region.
