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Hurricane Milton has exploded into a monster storm as it soaks up its natural fuel, warm water, in the Gulf of Mexico. The National Hurricane Center had warned that Milton was likely to strengthen into a major hurricane, defined by minimum sustained winds of 111 mph, and its status was confirmed at 8 a.m. Monday. Up to 8 inches of rain was forecast, with storm surges of up to 15 feet possible for coastal cities, they said. The latest hurricane is a rare product of the southwest Gulf of Mexico, rather than the Caribbean or the Atlantic. Milton started as Tropical Depression 14, in the Gulf’s Bay of Campeche, sheltered behind the western coast of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula.

Persons: Milton, Hurricane Helene Organizations: Milton, National Hurricane Center, NHC, NBC Locations: Gulf of Mexico, Florida, St . Petersburg, Sarasota, Tampa, Orlando, Daytona Beach , Sarasota, Fort Myers, Naples, Southeastern, Hurricane, Florida’s Big Bend, Mexico, Caribbean, Gulf’s, Campeche, Mexico’s Yucatán

As Hurricane Milton bears down on Florida, the staff at Sarasota Memorial Hospital are getting ready. The main hospital, Sarasota Memorial, is the largest. Staff at Sarasota Memorial can bring their pets to the hospital's temporary shelter. Courtesy Sarasota Memorial Health Care SystemAt AdventHealth Tampa Emergency Department, Dr. Alex Waldman, 35, is part of the B team. He’s preparing his house for the storm and bolting the hurricane shutters.

Persons: Milton, We’re, ”, David Verinder, Verinder, “ They’re, they’re, Alex Waldman, Waldman, Hurricane Helene, “, Helene, Lee, Monica Collins, Collins, Hurricane Ian, Fort Myers, she’s, Ian, He’s, I’m, I’ve, ” Waldman Organizations: Sarasota Memorial Hospital, Sarasota Memorial Health Care, Sarasota Memorial, Staff, Sarasota, Sarasota Memorial Health, Tampa Emergency Department, Lee Health, Southwest Florida Hospital, Skilled, Children’s, of Southwest, Hurricane Locations: Florida, Sarasota, Tampa, Hurricane, Fort Myers, of Southwest Florida, Miami, Fort

☆ Why some Florida residents aren’t evacuating ahead of Hurricane Milton
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-09 | by ( Paul P. Murphy | Michelle Krupa | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Traffic flows east Tuesday along Interstate 4 as residents continue to follow evacuation orders ahead of Hurricane Milton. A motorist drives past broken utility poles downed by strong wind gusts as Hurricane Milton approaches Fort Myers, Florida, on Wednesday, October 9. Chris O'Meara/AP David Jalving throws outdoor furniture into his father's pool in Fort Myers to prepare for Hurricane Milton. Julio Cortez/AP A man clears debris left by Hurricane Helene from his home in Treasure Island, Florida, on Monday. Marta Lavandier/AP A man in Progreso boards up an apartment building to protect it from Hurricane Milton on Monday.

Persons: Vivienne Marran, ”, Hurricane Milton, Marran, Helene, they’ve, we’ve, “ I’ve, ” Marran, Helene –, “, Holly Speckhart, Julio Cortez, ‘, Jane Castor, you’re, ” Speckhart, Ian – Bridgit, Budd, Milton, Fort, Ricardo Arduengo, Connor Ferran, Fort Myers, Joe Raedle, Paul Hennessy, Saul Martinez, Stephen Lundgren, Doug Engle, Payton Wyse, Andrew Goncharsky, Lee, Nicolette Mariano, Kaila Jones, Yamil Lage, Damon Higgins, Ted Carlson, McKenzie, Evan Purcell, Purcell's, Anna Maria Island, Carlson, Rebecca Blackwell, Hurricane Helene, Bryan R, Smith, Matthew Dominick, NASA Aurelio Ortiz, Lorenzo Hernandez, Mike Carlson, Jose Luis Gonzalez, Reuters John Fedor, Chris O'Meara, David Jalving, Marta Lavandier, Pete, Octavio Jones, Tristan Wheelock, Gerald, Martin Zetina, Gregg Newton, ” Anna Maria Island, William Tokajer, ” Tokajer, “ We’ve, we’ll, “ we’ve, I’ve, We’ve, who’d, –, “ you’ve, ” CNN’s Mary Gilbert, Rebekah Riess, Andy Rose, John Berman Organizations: Sol , Florida CNN, CNN, Hurricane, Tampa Bay, ” Tampa Fire Rescue’s, Milton, Tampa Bay Rays, Tampa Mayor, Orlando International Airport, Anadolu, Getty, Disney, Vanguard, School, Ocala, USA, Fort, Palm Beach Daily, Florida Army National Guard, Bradenton, Tampa General Hospital, NASA, International, Reuters, AP, Tampa International Airport, Bloomberg, AP Contractors, New Port Richey, AP Tropicana, Holmes Beach Police, Social, Isla del, Sunshine Skyway Locations: Sol , Florida, St . Petersburg, Gulf, Mexico, Tampa, Milton, ” Tampa, Hurricane, Ohio, Cincinnati, Sanibel, Fort Myers , Florida, Orlando, Ocala , Florida, Lee County, Fort Myers, Sebastian , Florida, Havana, Cuba, AFP, Palm Beach, Bradenton Beach, Tampa , Florida, Celestún, Port Richey , Florida, Tampa Bay, Treasure Island , Florida, St, Pete Beach , Florida, Fort Myers Beach, Progreso, New Port, St . Petersburg , Florida, Kissimmee , Florida, Florida, Isla, Isla del Sol, Holmes Beach

☆ Milton’s Storm Surge Threatens Destruction in the Dark
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-09 | by ( Orlando Mayorquín | More About Orlando Mayorquín | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Storm surge along the western Florida coast began to pick up as daylight dwindled and Hurricane Milton came ashore with its heavy rains and damaging winds, bringing the threat of major flooding. Flood gauges showed rapidly rising water levels on the coast at Fort Myers and Naples Bay shortly after Milton’s center arrived on land near Sarasota. Forecasters warned of the life threatening surge, which was expected to reach up to 13 feet in some areas, like Boca Grande on the far edges of the western coast. The term storm surge describes the dramatic, higher-than-expected rise in water levels brought on by a storm, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. “The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline,” forecasters had earlier warned.

Persons: Hurricane Milton Organizations: Hurricane, National Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration Locations: Florida, Fort Myers, Naples, Sarasota, Boca Grande

☆ Airlines are waiving cancellation fees and capping fares for Florida travelers during Hurricane Milton
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-09 | by ( Kelsey Vlamis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Major airlines said they were waiving change fees due to Hurricane Milton's impact on Florida. AdvertisementAs the travel industry prepares for Hurricane Milton, which is expected to make landfall in Florida on Wednesday, major airlines are offering to waive cancellation fees for travelers whose plans could be impacted. Four of the biggest airlines — United, American Airlines, Delta, and Southwest — said they are offering passengers options to cancel or reschedule their flights without penalty. The airline said it was waiving change fees for customers who were scheduled to fly through 12 Florida airports from October 8 through 10. DeltaDelta said it was waiving fare differences for passengers who planned to travel through nine Florida airports from October 7 to 10.

Persons: —, Hurricane Milton, Southwest —, Pete Buttigieg, United, Delta Organizations: Service, Hurricane, — United, American Airlines, Transportation, United, Florida, . American Airlines American, Delta, Southwest Locations: Florida, United, Southwest, Delta, Milton, Tampa, Orlando, Miami, Fort Myers, Sarasota

☆ The undeniable crisis that’s not driving American voters
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-09 | by ( Zachary B. Wolf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +16 min

Eduardo Munoz/Reuters A relief group climbs up the side of a hill as they help near Bat Cave, North Carolina, on Thursday. Jeffrey Collins/AP Len Frisbee dumps a wheelbarrow of dirt as he helps with cleanup in Hot Springs, North Carolina, on Tuesday. Gerald Herbert/AP Meta Gatschenberger surveys the remains of her collapsed house in Boone, North Carolina, on Saturday, September 28. Jonathan Drake/Reuters Floodwaters are seen in Asheville in this image released by the North Carolina Department of Transportation on Saturday. Marco Bello/Reuters In pictures: Hurricane Helene unleashes its fury Prev NextBut Vance’s remedy to the so-called weird weather is counterintuitive.

Persons: Helene, Donald Trump’s, Kamala Harris, Republican leaners, Democratic leaners, SSRS, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Trump, ”, Greene, ‘, Ohio Sen, JD Vance, Trump’s, Vance, Martika Stansell, Jonathan Drake, Erik S, Eduardo Munoz, Sean Rayford, Allison Joyce, Mike Stewart, Emily Ogburn, Cody Klein, Melissa Sue Gerrits, Sam Soughail, Van Hutchins, Dennis Rector, Josh Morgan, Andy Brown, Jeffrey Collins, Len Frisbee, Jeff Roberson, Christian Monterrosa, Marco Bello, Reuters Linda Bandy, Carissa Sheehan, Kathy Kmonicek, Janice Whitley, Terry Wilson, Melinda, Kathleen Flynn, Paul Hennessy, Gerald Herbert, Elmira Glover, Joe Raedle, John Falchetto, Cassandra Randall, Jessica Downey, Greg Lovett, Hurricane Helene, Hailey Morgan, Phelan M, Megan Varner, Sarah Cribbins, Michael, Luis Santana, Miguel J, Rodriguez Carrillo, Richard Burkhart, Mike Carlson, Candice Ocvil, Jibri Tolen, Cristobal Herrera, Candace Redwine, Guy Ford, George G, Tapper, Ricardo Arduengo, Joe Burbank, Carol Poulson, Andrew West, Cynthia Centeno, Reuters Charles Starling, Stephen M, Dowell, Chandan Khanna, Thomas Simonetti, Pete Beach, Ramon Espinosa, Paola Chiomante, Tim Walz, Harris ’, fracking Harris, Harris, CNN’s Dana Bash Organizations: CNN, Gallup, Republican, Democratic, Republicans, Terrorism, Democrats, Health, Reuters Helicopters, Reuters, Getty, Homes, AP, & Sons Department, USA, New York Times, Anadolu, Workers, North Carolina Department of Transportation, . North Carolina Department of Transportation, Tampa Bay Times, AFP, East, Savannah Morning, United States Coast Guard, Walt Disney, Orlando Sentinel, Tribune, Service, Fairview Middle School, Fishel, State Emergency Operations Center, Washington Post, NOAA, Minnesota Gov, Trump Locations: Gulf of Mexico, Milton, US, Georgia, Alabama, Helene, Ohio, Canton , North Carolina, Swannanoa , North Carolina, Cruso , North Carolina, Swannanoa, Bat Cave , North Carolina, Bills, , North Carolina, AFP, Lake Lure , North Carolina, Rock , North Carolina, Barnardsville , North Carolina, Lure, Asheville , North Carolina, Marshall , North Carolina, Augusta , Georgia, Springs , North Carolina, North Carolina, Bat Cave, Morganton , North Carolina, Old Fort, Fletcher , North Carolina, Steinhatchee , Florida, Tampa , Florida, Steinhatchee, Boone , North Carolina, Asheville, ., Treasure Island , Florida, Horseshoe Beach , Florida, Boone, Valdosta , Georgia, Horseshoe Beach, Laurel, Vilas , North Carolina, Crystal River , Florida, Hurricane, Crystal River, Peachtree Creek, Atlanta, , Florida, Savannah , Georgia, Savannah, Shore, St . Petersburg , Florida, Key , Florida, Tarpon Springs , Florida, Watauga, Sugar Grove , North Carolina, Florida, Port Saint Joe , Florida, Bay Lake , Florida, St . Petersburg, Fort Myers Beach , Florida, Tallahassee, Leon County , Florida, Eastpoint , Florida, Villages, Tallahassee , Florida, Gulfport , Florida, St, Cross City , Florida, Guanimar, Cuba, Panacea , Florida, Puerto Juarez, Mexico, Clearwater , Florida, Pennsylvania

It’s not unusual for the Federal Emergency Management Agency to have to respond to rumors surrounding any given natural disaster. This week, President Joe Biden requested a memorandum from his team on the federal government’s digital response, including how officials were remediating misinformation, a senior administration official told CNN. “The contours of this misinformation are unlike anything we’ve seen before,” a senior administration official told CNN. CNN previously reported that there were 30 midair near-collisions involving noncommercial flights in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Helene on Saturday, September 28. FEMA personnel on the ground receive threatsThe snowballing of false information on the heels of Hurricane Helene has also directly affected those on the ground.

Persons: Hurricane Helene, Elon Musk, Donald Trump, It’s, Joe Biden, Hurricane Milton, Biden, Trump, we’ve, ”, “, Pete Buttigieg, CNN’s John Berman, ” Buttigieg, Musk, Buttigieg, “ We’re, Helene, Chuck Edwards, ” Edwards, Steve Reaves, ” Reaves, Reaves, Sandy, Maria, Alejandro Mayorkas, ” Mayorkas, ” John Cohen Organizations: CNN, Biden, White, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Hurricane, Federal Aviation Administration, FAA, Department of Transportation, Twitter, SpaceX, Trump, FEMA, North Carolina Division of Aviation, Asheville Regional Airport, GOP, Republicans, House Homeland Security, Congress, American Federation of Government Employees, Homeland, Wednesday, DHS Locations: Hurricane, Florida, it’s, North Carolina, Asheville, Rutherford, Western North Carolina, Fort Worth , Texas, Carter County , Tennessee

As Hurricane Milton barrels toward Tampa Bay, some residents are saying that the resources needed to evacuate — especially gasoline — are in short supply, despite a mandate to leave the area. Debris from Helene also poses a risk as Milton approaches because the objects can turn into dangerous projectiles. On social media, lines stretching around the block could be seen at the few gas stations in the greater Tampa Bay area that still had fuel. Hurricane Helene had already damaged her family home and she assumes more, if not total damage, will be wrought by Milton. “What’s really sad is seeing people pulling up to gas stations and just staring at pumps that are out of gas,” she said.

Persons: Milton, Ashley Khrais, she's, ” Khrais, ”, Milton “, Hurricane Helene, Helene, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, ” Castor, Ron DeSantis, “, ” DeSantis, Lindsey Carlson, Carlson, she’s Organizations: National Hurricane Center, FEMA, White, Tampa Mayor, CNN, Milton’s, National Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration, Florida Division, Emergency Management, Gov, “ Fox, Patrol Locations: Tampa Bay, Holiday , Florida, Tampa, Florida, Hurricane, Lauderdale’s Port, Southeast Florida, Plant City, Lakeland, Jacksonville, Milton

The Weather Prediction Center has increased the rainfall threat for Wednesday to a rare “high” risk, or a level 4 of 4. For Tampa that would equal more than five months’ worth of rain – the average for October is 2.34 inches. More than 10 inches of rain could also break monthly records for some cities in central Florida. The heavy rainfall combined with high storm surge could create an especially dangerous situation. Flood watches remain for nearly 20 million people across Florida, and over 5 million people are under storm surge alerts.

Persons: Fort, Flood Locations: Tampa, Orlando, Florida, Fort Myers, Sarasota, Gulf, Atlantic, Milton

☆ The challenges Floridians are facing while trying to evacuate
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-08 | by ( Alisha Ebrahimji | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Chris O'Meara/AP David Jalving throws outdoor furniture into his father's pool on Tuesday to prepare for Hurricane Milton. Marta Lavandier/AP A man boards up an apartment building to protect it from Hurricane Milton in Progreso, Mexico, on Monday. The state of Florida is trying to keep gas stations supplied as people try to fill up before hitting the road. Tristan Wheelock/Bloomberg/Getty Images“Lines at gas stations have been long,” DeSantis acknowledged Tuesday during a news conference. “Gas stations are running out quicker than they otherwise would.”Gas price tracking service GasBuddy reported that as of Tuesday afternoon, 17.4% of gas stations statewide were without fuel, a dramatic spike from just 3% on Monday.

Persons: Hurricane Milton, Helene pummeled Florida’s, Jane Castor, CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, it’s, Kevin Guthrie, Ron DeSantis, Rich Lorenzen, Sam Grande, Pete, Octavio Jones, DeSantis, Milton, Mike Carlson, Matthew Dominick, Jose Luis Gonzalez, Reuters John Fedor of, Chris O'Meara, David Jalving, Marta Lavandier, Julio Cortez, Hurricane Helene, Bryan R, Smith, Tristan Wheelock, Gerald, Martin Zetina, Hurricane, Reuters Rich Lorenzen, Pete Beach, Gregg Newton, Brandon Hutchison, ” Hutchison, Irma, Idalia, Milton's, ” DeSantis, Fort Organizations: CNN, Hurricane, ” Tampa, state’s Division, Emergency Management, Florida Gov, National Weather Service, Florida Department of Transportation, Florida DOT, Veterans Expressway, Suncoast Parkway, AP NASA, International, Milton, NASA, Reuters, Tampa International Airport, Getty, Bloomberg, Hurricane Milton, AP Contractors, AP Tropicana, Department of Transportation, Rosen, Resorts, Atlanta Motor, Emergency Management Agency, Gas, “ Gas, Patrol Locations: Hurricane Milton, St, Pete Beach , Florida, Miami, Florida, Tampa, Hurricane, Port Richey , Florida, Orlando , Florida, Jersey, Tampa Bay, Treasure Island , Florida, AFP, Fort Myers Beach , Florida, Progreso , Mexico, New Port Richey , Florida, St . Petersburg, Monnday, Kissimmee , Florida, Georgia, Atlanta, Peach, Dothan , Alabama, RVs, ”, Hampton , Georgia, Henry, Florence, Petersburg , Florida, Fort Myers, Gulf Coast

☆ Florida gas stations are already running out of fuel. Hurricane Milton could cause even more trouble
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-08 | by ( Chris Isidore | Matt Egan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

New York CNN —Gas stations in many areas of Florida are running out of gasoline, as residents prepare for Hurricane Milton. Gas price tracking service GasBuddy reported that as of Tuesday morning, 14.5% of gas stations statewide were without fuel, a dramatic spike from just 3% on Monday. DeSantis said 27 fuel trucks were escorted by the Florida Highway Patrol to deliver fuel to stations in the anticipated impact area of the storm. “We have been dispatching fuel over the past 24 hours as gas stations have run out,” he said at a press conference early Tuesday. And the real fear is that the hurricane and storm surge could cause significant damage to the port.

Persons: Fort, “, ”, Patrick De Haan, Ron DeSantis, DeSantis, Milton, Julio Cortez, Tom Kloza, Andy Lipow Organizations: New, New York CNN — Gas, Hurricane Milton, GasBuddy, Florida, Patrol, AAA, Lipow Oil Associates, Coast Guard Locations: New York, Florida, Milton’s, Fort Myers, Gulf Coast, Port of Tampa, Orlando, Tampa Bay, Port, Tampa

☆ Hurricane Milton could cause as much as $175 billion in damage, according to early estimates
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-08 | by ( Jeff Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Heavy traffic begins to back up on Interstate 275 South as residents evacuate St. Petersburg, Florida, ahead of Hurricane Milton, U.S., October 7, 2024. Hurricane Milton's once-in-a-century potential could cause damage of more than $50 billion, with the potential to leave behind devastation approaching $175 billion or more in a worst-case scenario, according to leading Wall Street analysts. That would be on top of the carnage already left behind by Hurricane Helene, posing a potential record-breaking path of wreckage. "A 1-in-100 year event is estimated by some to result in $175 [billion] in losses for landfall in the Tampa region, and $70 [billion] in losses in the [Fort] Myers region." The extent of the potential is hard to pin down and will depend on timing and location, with a landfall closer to Fort Myers being less costly.

Persons: Hurricane Milton's, Hurricane Helene, Jefferies, Yaron Kinar, Myers, Fort Myers, Hurricane Ian, Ian Organizations: Hurricane, Street Locations: St, Petersburg , Florida, Hurricane Milton, U.S, Tampa, Fort Myers

☆ Tracking Hurricane Milton’s Storm Surge Risk Across Florida
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-08 | by ( William B. Davis | Judson Jones | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

Tracking Hurricane Milton’s Storm Surge Risk Across FloridaAs Hurricane Milton approaches landfall in Florida this week, the National Hurricane Center is releasing a series of data sets to help warn the public of the risks. Storm surge is one of the deadliest aspects of a strong hurricane as it approaches land. Depending on exactly where Milton makes landfall, storm surge will broadly fluctuate. The Florida Keys are forecast to experience strong winds and storm surge mostly below six feet. Wherever Milton makes landfall, storm surge will come ashore, especially just ahead and south of the storm’s center, similar again to what occurred during Ian.

Persons: Milton, Hurricane Helene, Milton ., Hurricane Ian, Robert Weisberg, —, Weisberg, Ian, ” Organizations: Hurricane, National Hurricane, University of South Locations: Florida, Milton, Tampa, Fort Myers, Naples, Tampa Bay ., Tampa Bay, University of South Florida, Clearwater

☆ Disney World is shutting down as Florida braces for Hurricane Milton
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-08 | by ( Madeline Berg | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Walt Disney World will close early on Wednesday as Florida braces for Hurricane Milton. Other venues, including Universal Studios, have also announced closures. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking ‘Sign up’, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider as well as other partner offers and accept our Terms of Service and Privacy PolicyAdvertisementWalt Disney World will shut down on Wednesday as Florida braces for Hurricane Milton. Related storiesA closure at Disney World is rare: Most hurricanes don't reach as far inland as Milton is expected to. Disney is not alone in closing its gates: Universal Orlando's parks, including Universal Studios, will shutter early on Wednesday and remain closed on Thursday.

Persons: Walt, Hurricane Milton, Nicole, recategorized, Milton, Hurricane Helene, Aquatica Orlando Organizations: Walt Disney, Hurricane, Orlando, Universal Studios, Service, Hurricane Milton, Hollywood Studios, Magic, Disney Springs, Disney, Wilderness, WDW Magazine, National Hurricane Center, SeaWorld Orlando Locations: Florida, EPCOT, Central Florida, Milton

Debris removal continued throughout the state as officials urged residents to prepare for the worst and heed evacuation orders. “If you’re in the path of Hurricane #Milton, the time to act is NOW,” the Federal Emergency Management Agency posed on X. A member of the Florida Army National Guard removes debris in St. Petersburg on Monday ahead of Hurricane Milton's expected landfall. In Sarasota County, officials warned residents not to let their guards down and ordered evacuations for the barrier islands and for people in mobile or manufactured homes. “We take it serious, but we are not getting too excited about it.”Jesse Kirsch reported from Sarasota, Florida; Dana Griffin from Naples Beach, Florida; Chase Cain, from Orlando, Florida; and Alicia Victoria Lozano from Los Angeles.

Persons: Hurricane Milton, Helene, Milton, ” Cleon Dixon, Helene pummeled, Milton's, Bryan R, Smith, Dixon, ”, “, Helene’s wallop, John, Rhonda Keigher, Rhonda, ” John, ” Rhonda, Patty Sheehan, you’ve, Joe Biden, Kurt Hoddman, Anna Maria, David Tucker, Jenny Bodmer, evacuates, ” Carsten Haake, ” Jesse Kirsch, Dana Griffin, Chase Cain, Alicia Victoria Lozano Organizations: Hurricane, Residents, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Florida Army National Guard, Getty, City, Florida Peninsula, USA Locations: SARASOTA, Fla, Gulf Coast, Fort Meyers, Tampa, St, Armands, Sarasota, St . Petersburg, AFP, ”, Madeira Beach, of Mexico, Palm Harbor, Florida, Orlando, Hurricane, Mexico, Florida’s, Treasure Island, Sarasota County, Hillsborough County, Pinellas County, West Palm Beach, Naples, Miami, Germany, Sarasota , Florida, Naples Beach , Florida, Orlando , Florida, Los Angeles

☆ Shares of generator maker soar, insurance stocks fall as Hurricane Milton intensifies
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-07 | by ( Spencer Kimball | Yun Li | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +1 min

Shares of backup power generation company Generac Holdings surged more than 7% on Monday as Hurricane Milton rapidly strengthened into a Category 5 storm. Hurricane Milton is forecast to move north of the Yucatan Peninsula on Monday and Tuesday before crossing the Gulf of Mexico to approach the west coast of Florida by Wednesday, according to the National Hurricane Center. Hurricane Milton comes on the heels of Hurricane Helene, which killed more than 220 people and wrought devastation across the Southeast, particularly in North Carolina. Insurance stocks that have weather catastrophe exposure, meanwhile, are falling on potential insured losses tied to Hurricane Milton. Allstate, Travelers and Chubb saw their shares fall more than 3%, while Progressive and AIG all declined more than 1%.

Persons: Hurricane Milton, Generac, Hurricane Helene, Chubb, Milton, Joshua Shanker Organizations: Generac Holdings, Hurricane, National Hurricane Center, North Carolina . Insurance, Hurricane Milton, Allstate, Travelers, Progressive, AIG, Universal Insurance, Bank of America, Colorado State University, Research Locations: Hurricane, Yucatan, Mexico, Florida, Tampa, North Carolina, Fort Lauderdale , Florida

Hurricane Milton is expected to continue to develop rapidly as it soaks up its natural fuel, warm water in the Gulf of Mexico. It could be pushing out sustained winds of 145 mph by them, according to its projections, making it a Category 4 hurricane. Rain, strong winds and possible storm surges were expected to begin Tuesday night along Florida’s west coast, according to NBC News meteorologists. Up to 8 inches of rain was forecast, with storm surges of 6 feet and more possible for coastal cities, they said. By late afternoon Saturday, Tropical Depression 14 had become Tropical Storm Milton, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Persons: Milton, Hurricane Helene Organizations: National Hurricane Center, NBC, NBC News, Hurricane Milton Locations: Gulf of Mexico, Florida, Mexico, Cuba, Tampa, Naples, Orlando, Daytona Beach , Sarasota, Fort Myers, Southeastern, Hurricane, Florida's Big Bend, Caribbean, Gulf's, Campeche, Mexico’s Yucatán, Progreso

☆ Stocks making the biggest moves midday: Generac, Amazon, Pfizer and more
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-07 | by ( Samantha Subin | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Generac Holdings — Shares of the maker of power generators surged 8% as Hurricane Milton intensified into a Category 5 storm . Amazon — The e-commerce stock lost 2.9% after Wells Fargo downgraded shares to equal weight from overweight and cut its price target, citing slowing growth and competition from Walmart. Hershey – Shares fell 2% after the chocolate maker was downgraded to neutral at UBS and to market perform at Bernstein. JPMorgan downgraded shares to underweight from neutral, citing dwindling confidence in the Israel-based company grapples with share loss concerns and volume challenge. JPMorgan downgraded shares to neutral, citing limited EPS upside from here.

Persons: Milton, Wells, Chubb, Morgan Stanley, Coty, Ashley Helgans, Arcadium, Bernstein, GLP, Ciena, —, Yun Li, Hakyung Kim, Alex Harring, Jesse Pound, Michelle Fox, Sean Conlon, Pia Singh Organizations: Generac Holdings, Walmart, Pfizer —, CNBC, Insurance, —, Allstate, Travelers, Progressive, Hurricane, Universal Insurance, Air Products, Chemicals, Garmin —, Garmin, Jefferies, Rio Tinto, Hershey –, UBS, Butterfly Equity, JPMorgan, Apple Locations: Florida, Hurricane Milton, Fort Lauderdale , Florida, Wells Fargo, California, Israel

☆ How to watch the Draconid meteor shower
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-07 | by ( Ashley Strickland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Keep your eyes on the night skies to see the elusive Draconid meteor shower, expected to peak Monday evening into early Tuesday. However, the Draconid meteor shower is on the sparse side. A meteor streaks across the sky during the Draconid meteor shower as seen over Howick rocks in Northumberland in northeast England in October 2021. If you live in an urban area, you might want to take a drive to avoid city lights, which can make the meteor shower seem faint. Meanwhile, sky-gazers can anticipate a busy meteor shower season to close out 2024.

Persons: Michel Giacobini, Owen Humphreys, Zinner, Ridley Scott's, Darrin Zammit Lupi Organizations: CNN, PA, Meteor, Southern Hemisphere, NASA, Reuters, American Meteor Society, Taurids Locations: Howick, Northumberland, England, Fort Ricasoli, Kalkara, Malta

A worker unloads a 24-kilowatt Generac home generator off a truck at Captain Electric on February 18, 2021 in Orem, Utah. Shares of backup power generation company Generac Holdings surged more than 7% on Monday as Hurricane Milton rapidly strengthened into a Category 4 storm. Insurance stocks that have weather catastrophe exposure, meanwhile, are falling on potential insured losses tied to Hurricane Milton. Allstate, Travelers and Chubb saw their shares fall more than 3%, while Progressive and AIG all declined more than 1%. Lauderdale, plunged more than 20% as the catastrophe-prone carrier with Gulf Coast exposure could see heightened hurricane risks.

Persons: Hurricane Milton, Chubb Organizations: Captain Electric, Generac Holdings, Hurricane, National Hurricane Center, Insurance, Hurricane Milton, Allstate, Travelers, Progressive, AIG, Universal Insurance Locations: Orem , Utah, Milton, Yucatan, Mexico, Florida, Tampa, Fort . Lauderdale

☆ Milton erupts into Category 1 hurricane as Southeast reels from Helene aftermath
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-06 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Dennis-Romero-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | Dennis Romero | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

Tropical Storm Milton rapidly intensified into a Category 1 hurricane Sunday with its path aimed at Florida, less than two weeks after Hurricane Helene made landfall in the state. The storm debuted as a hurricane Monday afternoon after producing sustained winds of 80 mph and continued to strengthen by drawing fuel from the Gulf of Mexico's sultry waters. Forecasters said Milton was likely to reach major hurricane status, denoting a Category 3, 4, or 5 storm Monday. It was pushing out maximum sustained winds estimated to be 80 mph, with some higher gusts, the hurricane center said, and moving east at 6 mph. Residents fill sandbags on Fort Myers Beach, in Fla., in preparation for Hurricane Milton on Oct. 6, 2024.

Persons: Milton, Helene, Ron DeSantis, Hurricane Milton, Andrew West, Helene rampaged, It's Organizations: Gov, Hurricane, Press, USA, Florida, Florida Keys Locations: Florida, Hillsborough, Pinellas, Progreso, Mexico, Tampa, Fort Myers Beach, Fla, Milton, Gulf of Mexico, Florida’s, Cuba, Bahamas, Gulf's, Campeche, Big Bend, Pinellas County, Tampa Bay

The storm is quickly strengthening, already boasting winds of 65 mph, according to an update Sunday morning from the National Hurricane Center. It is forecast to intensify into a hurricane by Sunday night — and a major hurricane by late Monday. Hurricane and storm surge watches will likely be issued for parts of the western Florida coast on Sunday — with dangerous storm surge expected for some areas just slammed by Helene. “This is something that potentially would be greater power outages than what we just saw with Hurricane Helene,” the governor said, noting the state’s residents still have a couple of days to get ready. Assets deployed to assist with Hurricane Helene recovery in Tennessee and North Carolina have also been ordered back to Florida, DeSantis said.

Persons: Hurricane Helene, Helene —, it’s, Tropical Storm Milton, Helene ., Milton, Helene, Ron DeSantis, Kevin Guthrie, DeSantis, “, Floridians, ” Guthrie, Ashley Moody, ” Moody, ”, Thomas Chaves, Vinny Almeida, Mike Carlson, Debbie Bright, Bright, ” Bright Organizations: CNN, Tropical Storm, National Hurricane Center, Key, Tampa ., Florida Gov, Florida Division, Emergency Management, Florida, Sunday, Fort Myers, Florida Department of Transportation, Florida National Guard, Florida State Guard, AP, WFTS Locations: Florida, Gulf of Mexico, Tampa, Naples, Tampa Bay, Helene . Miami, Orlando, Miami, Gulf, Helene, Fort, Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel, Tennessee, North Carolina, Hurricane, Chaves, Shore, St . Petersburg , Florida, AP Florida, Pinellas County, ” St, Petersburg

☆ Florida is on alert as a new tropical depression forms in the Gulf, just days after Hurricane Helene
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-05 | by ( Allison Chinchar | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Less than 10 days after Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida, the state is now bracing for another potential storm brewing in the Gulf of Mexico. Tropical Depression 14 formed in the western Gulf on Saturday morning and is expected to become Tropical Storm Milton in the next 24 hours, the National Hurricane Center said. Hurricane watches, as well as storm surge watches, will likely be issued for portions of the Florida coast on Sunday. There is also an increasing risk of storm surge for the western Florida Peninsula as early as late Tuesday or Wednesday. The hurricane center is warning people in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, the Florida Peninsula, the Florida Keys, as well as the Bahamas to closely monitor this system this weekend and early next week for any impacts.

Persons: Hurricane Helene, Tropical Storm Milton, Helene, Fort Myers Organizations: CNN, Tropical Storm, National Hurricane Center, Florida Peninsula, NHC, Key West, Tampa, Fort Locations: Florida, Gulf of Mexico, Gulf, Mexico, of Mexico, Gainesville, Key, Cities, Melbourne, Jacksonville, Naples, Yucatan, Bahamas

☆ Falling home prices and fed-up residents show the Texas housing boom is slowing
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-05 | by ( Jennifer Sor | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

The Texas housing market has cooled after a frenzy of activity during the pandemic. The shift in attitudes is an indicator for the state's housing market, which boomed during the pandemic. Median home prices in Texas have fallen around 7% from their highs in mid-2022, according to data from Redfin. The decline is an outlier compared to the broader US housing market, which is still prices hovering around record highs. But those issues are minor relative to things like economic growth and housing affordability, Fairweather says, which she described as two of the biggest factors that could determine if the Texas housing market picks back up.

Persons: Austin, —, Peter Hoholick, Roe, Wade, Hoholick, it's, James Willoughby, Willoughby, he's, Redfin, William Wheeler, Price, Daryl Fairweather, " Fairweather, Fairweather, they're, Samuel Cobb, couldn't, Cobb, hasn't, We're Organizations: Lone Star, Service, Texas —, Lone Star State, realtors, Texas, Census Bureau, . Texas realtors, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BI Locations: Texas, Austin, California, Dallas, Amarillo, Florida , Texas, LendingTree, Fort Worth, Arlington, East Texas

☆ Miss America Madison Marsh says people just keep getting pageantry and the Air Force wrong
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-05 | by ( Lauren Frias | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

As Miss America and a US Air Force officer, she aims to dispel long-held misconceptions about both. Madison Marsh, a US Air Force second lieutenant and Miss America 2024, is on a mission to show that the two worlds are not so different. "Now I'm getting to change the idea of showing people that the Air Force is rebranding itself. And in her 10-month reign as Miss America, Marsh said she is already seeing an impact. AdvertisementBeyond pageantry and military, Marsh champions awareness and advocacy for pancreatic cancer, the disease that took her mother Whitney's life when Madison was just 17.

Persons: Madison, —, Madison Marsh, Marsh, she'd, Joe Biden, Miriam Thurber, Miriam Thurber Marsh, Alma Cooper, haven't, Cooper, Whitney, she's Organizations: Miss America, US Air Force, Service, Business, Air Force, Miss, . US Air Force, US Air Force Academy, Nationals, Air Force Academy, Royal Air Force, Academy, US Army, Miss USA, Army, Whitney Marsh Foundation, Harvard Kennedy School Locations: Miss America, Normandy, Fort Smith , Arkansas, United Kingdom, France, America, —

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