Staff Reports
Hurricane Milton is storming toward Florida, and it looks like it’s set to deliver the kind of chaos that even Mother Nature couldn’t be proud of. Formed in the Gulf of Mexico, this raging beast is expected to ramp up to Category 4 or 5 status by Tuesday before making landfall on Wednesday. Tampa is preparing to feel the full brunt of this storm, which is projected to be the most furious hurricane to strike the area in a century. In a move that will swell the ranks of the evacuees, Governor Ron DeSantis is gearing up for the largest evacuation operations since the infamous Irma in 2017, cleverly utilizing the state’s highway shoulders to keep the traffic flowing for those making a run for it.
Usually, hurricanes tend to show a bit of restraint this late in the season—Milton is like that friend who refuses to leave the party. As it stands, if Milton lives up to the hype, it would be the first recorded Category 4 or 5 hurricane to crash into the Gulf this late since Michael in 2018, making it a statistical oddity and a true testament to the unpredictability of weather in the region. Tampa is preparing for what could only be described as a storm of biblical proportions, perhaps in the same league as previous nightmares like Katrina, that will test the mettle of the Sunshine State’s residents.
Really is tragic what’s happening right now.
-FEMA actively blocking rescue efforts and confiscating supplies plus funds
-Government offering a meager $750 to only some because they blew our tax dollars helping everyone but US citizens
How is there not national outrage? pic.twitter.com/AbQyGhPP3m
— Jesse Eckel (@Jesseeckel) October 5, 2024
As the storm surge is estimated to reach heights of an astonishing 15 feet, one has to wonder if the storm is working on raising its profile to the level of a reality TV show. The possibilities for disaster preparation gaffes and left-leaning responses from the Biden administration have the political chatter buzzing. With recent hurricanes under Democrats’ control, the signals coming from Washington indicate Florida might as well be told: you’re on your own. Last year’s aftermath from Hurricane Helene demonstrated exactly how quickly the feds forget about the states that they deem politically unimportant. It’s almost as if the folks in D.C. are auditioning for a new hit reality series titled “Natural Disaster: Incompetence Edition.”
FEMA’s recent publicity stunts aren’t doing much to inspire confidence, either. The agency claims it isn’t short on funds, despite the glaring reality that money has been funneled elsewhere—like, say, aiding illegal immigrants instead of American citizens in dire need during storm season. FEMA’s boss sang a different tune when pushed on the issue, insisting that claims of funding issues are just “plain false.” Yet, with the agency’s website showcasing funds allocated for shelters and services for undocumented migrants, it’s hard to buy into this “no problem here” narrative. Talk about a reality check for those affected by hurricanes—the federal potholes are getting deeper, while disaster preparedness takes a back seat to social equity initiatives.
Instead of focusing on the people in need, reports have surfaced showing that FEMA’s priorities appear skewed toward “disaster equity” discussions. What happened to disaster relief aimed at helping the greatest number of affected citizens? Maybe FEMA’s next meeting will also involve a seminar on how to properly decorate a hurricane shelter with inclusive decor. And while all this bureaucratic juggling continues, Biden and Harris shed any pretense of leadership—Harris even found time to sit down for an interview on a sex podcast amid relief efforts for Helene. A true display of leadership, isn’t it?
As Florida braces for impact from Hurricane Milton, the real storm brewing in Washington remains the incompetence of an administration that clearly seems more concerned with pushing progressive agendas than offering meaningful help to disaster-struck states. Buckle up, Florida. You’re in for another wild ride, and judging by the track record so far, it’s likely to be filled with mismanagement and a glaring lack of care for those most in need.
