After The Storm, Florida Assesses The Damage | October 11, 2024

Summary

In this CNN 10 episode, host Coy Wire covers key global news, starting with Hurricane Milton’s devastating impact on Florida, causing flooding, tornadoes, and widespread damage. The episode discusses the history behind hurricane naming conventions and highlights a CNN Hero, Master Sergeant Gordon Story, who created the 'Weare Team' to support veterans through community service. The episode ends with a dramatic segment on the demolition of the historic Tropicana Hotel in Las Vegas to make way for a new Major League Baseball stadium. The show encourages viewers to stay positive and make a difference.

Takeaways

• 🌪️ Hurricane Milton made landfall in Florida as a Category 3 storm with winds of 120 mph, causing severe damage and flooding.
• 🌧️ St. Petersburg received over 18 inches of rain in a single day, equivalent to three months of rainfall.
• 🌊 Strong winds and storm surges swept away boats and cars, with many residents facing severe flooding and water rescues.
• 🚨 Several tornadoes, including more than a dozen before landfall, contributed to fatalities and additional damage in Florida.
• 🏠 Millions of homes and businesses lost power, and parts of Florida experienced flash flooding and road closures due to the storm.
• ⚡ The hurricane is the fifth to hit the U.S. in 2024, continuing a challenging storm season.
• 🌪️ The name 'Milton' debuted this year for hurricanes, replacing previous retired names like Florence and Michael due to their devastating impact.
• 🌀 There are 21 hurricane names for the 2024 Atlantic season, and if more are needed, a backup list will be used, avoiding letters like X, Y, and Z.
• 💪 Veteran Gordon Story founded the Das Weare team, which helps veterans connect with communities through volunteer projects for mental health support.
• 🏨 The Tropicana Hotel in Las Vegas was demolished to make way for a new Major League Baseball stadium for the Athletics, who are moving from Oakland.

Q & A

What was the impact of Hurricane Milton on Florida?

Hurricane Milton made landfall in Florida as a Category 3 storm with 120 mph winds, causing significant damage. It weakened to a Category 1 storm but dropped over 18 inches of rain in St. Petersburg, flooding homes and roads. Tornadoes caused fatalities, and millions were left without power.

Where did Hurricane Milton make landfall, and what damage did it cause?

Hurricane Milton made landfall near Siesta Key on Florida's Gulf Coast. It caused extensive damage, including tearing the roof off Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, flooding homes, and toppling cranes onto buildings.

What happened in Orange and Hillsboro Counties due to Hurricane Milton?

In Orange County, severe flooding trapped people in their homes, leading to water rescues. Hillsboro County experienced unprecedented flooding, road closures, and an assisted living facility had to be evacuated due to rising waters.

What is the significance of tornadoes during Hurricane Milton?

Tornadoes caused by Hurricane Milton's strong outer winds hit Florida before the storm even made landfall. More than a dozen tornadoes were reported, leading to fatalities in St. Lucy County.

How are hurricanes named, and why are some names retired?

Hurricanes are named once their winds reach 39 mph, becoming tropical storms. There are six lists of names rotated every six years, but names of particularly devastating storms are retired, like Katrina and Irma. Milton is debuting this year, replacing a previously retired name.

Why are certain letters like 'Q,' 'X,' 'Y,' and 'Z' not used for hurricane names?

These letters are excluded from the list of hurricane names because very few common names start with these letters.

How does the World Meteorological Organization manage hurricane names?

The World Meteorological Organization maintains and updates the hurricane naming system, which began in 1953. The names rotate every six years unless they are retired due to the severity of the storm.

What is the Purple Heart, and who receives it?

The Purple Heart is a United States military medal awarded by the President to those who are wounded or killed in service. It features the profile of General George Washington.

What does Master Sergeant Gordon Story’s program, the Das Weare Team, do?

Master Sergeant Gordon Story's Das Weare Team helps veterans and service members connect to their communities through volunteering projects, such as painting houses. It provides mental health benefits by reducing isolation and improving well-being.

What was the significance of the Tropicana Hotel’s demolition in Las Vegas?

The Tropicana Hotel, a historic Las Vegas landmark, was demolished after 67 years to make room for a new Major League Baseball stadium for the Athletics, who are relocating from Oakland.