A category 5 hurricane Milton swept throughout Florida causing major disasters such as flooding and pop-up tornados in certain places like in Fort Myers and Port Saint Lucie. The hurricane destroyed houses making neighborhoods appear like construction sites with debris all over. In many cases, neighborhoods were unrecognizable, misery no matter what direction you were looking at. Not only were houses destroyed but families were also separated and lost during the hurricane. Imagine losing a loved one, someone really close to you, like a mother, father or even a beloved pet. You can imagine the feeling of sadness and helplessness when something like losing someone happens. Not only were houses swept away by the storm but newscasters also reported a crane fell down due to the strong winds caused by the hurricane. This disaster occurred in Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg. Here is a video of the crane crash. Crane collapses in St. Petersburg during Hurricane Milton.
Thankfully there were no casualties due to the fallen crane. Unfortunately I cannot report the same for the rest of the people who were in Milton’s path of destruction. Sadly enough there were 24 deaths due to the hurricane’s destructive forces. Here is another video showing us the aftermath of hurricane Milton.Hurricane Milton slams Florida. Hurricane Milton formed in the Gulf of Mexico. While it was in formation in the Gulf, experts reported that it was a Category 5 hurricane. Thankfully it lost its intensity and made landfall on Florida's west coast on October 9 as a Category 3 hurricane. Even as a category 3 hurricane with winds up to 120 mph, hurricane MIlton left widespread destruction, including severe flooding, storm surges, tornados and power outages. It affected lives, homes and businesses around the state. This was the aftermath of hurricane Milton.
How can we prepare for future hurricanes?
We can prepare for future hurricanes by planning our evacuation plans ahead of time to help us to stay safe in the worst case scenario. When newscasters and meteorologists begin to inform the public that a potential hurricane is heading your way, it's important to know your next steps. There are tons of resources online that help with lists of what to have on hand when a hurricane is threatening your neighborhood. For starters it’s important to keep a handful of supplies, like non perishable foods, water, a battery pack, flashlights and batteries. It's also important to know where your important documents are located (birth certificates, social security and passports), along with cherished pictures and valuables that you wouldn't want to get ruined. A small bag with your personal items, some clothing and extra sneakers should be prepared should you have to evacuate your home. Another way to stay safe is to research how to protect your home. Some people use sandbags to create a wall around their property to stop water from entering their home , and others board up their windows to protect their home from strong winds. The more you research about hurricanes, the more you’ll feel prepared because knowledge is power! We’re you’re prepared, and you have an action plan, you're less likely to panic and worry. This is why we need to be prepared for the worst in a hurricane. If you need any information about preparing for a tropical storm or hurricane I got your back. Here are a couple of websites to help you out: https://www.iii.org/article/preparing-hurricane; https://www.cdc.gov/hurricanes/safety/index.html . This is how we can prepare for the worst case scenarios.
What can we do to help
We can help by donating clothing and food to the people displaced by Milton. We can also donate money for the thousands of people whose houses were destroyed because of the hurricane. What was once a house of smiles and laughter became a pile of dust and sadness. These families need our help and there are many organizations that provide assistance such as the Red Cross, the Salvation Army and food banks. Let’s be compassionate and offer a helping hand by donating what you can to the people in need. I always think, what if this happens to me and my family. Your small donation can make a big difference to people in Florida displaced and distraught from Hurricane Milton. Thanks for reading. By Alejandro Jaramillo.
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