The storm persisted as it made its way in-land, slowing to a still astonishingly powerful 90 mph as it lost power from the lack of warm Gulf of Mexico waters. The level of damage is astonishing, estimated at $50 billion so far, as well as 25 confirmed fatalities, however, that number is disputed and is likely to rise further as roughly 1,900 flooded are pumped clear.
The extraordinary damage caused by Hurricane Milton is part of a growing trend. This is Florida's 3rd land-falling hurricane in the past year. The last time it was this high was in 2005, the year of Hurricane Katrina. The increased frequency and severity are largely attributed to the effects of climate change and the subsequent increased temperatures of the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. This poses an existential threat, with a 6-inch increase in Floridian water levels projected to occur within the next 15 years, an exponential increase from the 8-inch rise that’s occurred across the last 75 years.
The real-world impacts of this on the state are profound. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, by 2050 over 1,000 critical infrastructure assets are at risk of multi-annual flooding. The UN’s 2024 Climate Change Report also revealed how this will likely cause a mass inland exodus of residents in the not-so-distant future, as well as an ecological catastrophe.
Coral reefs surrounding Florida are being decimated by widespread bleaching caused by increasing sea temperatures, which could cause a $55 billion loss in tourism revenue by 2100. Pervasive algal blooms have exploded in recent years, usually following hurricanes such as in 2017 and 2022, causing widespread ecological destruction such as the infamous Karenia Brevis red tides, secreting potent neurotoxins and constricting maritime life of vital sunlight and oxygen.
From a legislative level, the incompetence and irresponsibility is astounding.
These effects are especially disheartening considering how Florida is an irreplaceable biodiversity hot spot. Mangroves, coral reefs, and sea grass forests litter the landscape, offering refuge to over 1,000 unique fish species and 80 types of coral as well as sea mammals like manatees and bottle-nose dolphins.
Despite their exceptional wildlife, there has been a surprising level of contempt towards the preservation of these habitats. Mangroves for example, improve water quality, promote ecosystem prosperity and diversification as well as annually sequester carbon at rates ten times higher than a mature rain forest. They are mutually beneficial too, a great natural infrastructure for erosion protection by binding the soil with their dense root networks and absorbing storm surge and hurricane impacts, and yet, deforestation of mangroves in Florida runs rampant. Tampa Bay and Charlotte harbour have lost 50 to 60% of their mangroves according to the WWF. Despite current legislative protections, marine biologists and residents criticise these measures as merely a 'slap on the wrist,' particularly when it comes to regulating commercial activities. Everglades restoration projects have also encountered repeated delays and funding issues, despite it’s importance.
From a legislative level, the incompetence and irresponsibility is astounding. For instance ex-Governor, Rick Scott, was accused of banning “global warming” and “climate change” from official state communications, actions indicative of a state government’s broader indifference to such a colossal threat. There has been a complete lack of cohesive legislation passed that addresses climate change or habitat destruction as well as an inadequate investment into renewable energy and coastal protections. Florida should be championing greater awareness of climate change and a green transition in Congress considering they’re facing some of the most adverse effects.
Yet as the division within the US political system becomes ever more entrenched, where seemingly non-partisan issues like preventing natural disasters becomes increasingly polarised, addressal of this threat will be indefinitely postponed until the point of no return.
