Hurricane Milton leaves 2 million without power and claims 16 lives in Florida. Biden estimates $50 billion in damages as storms shape the U.S. election campaign.
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| President Biden estimates Hurricane Milton's damages at $50 billion as Florida grapples with power outages and flooding. Cleanup efforts continue amid political tensions. Image Courtesy: BayCare |
Washington, USA - October 12, 2024:
The estimated $50 billion in damages from Hurricane Milton, as announced by President Biden, highlights the immense scale of destruction caused by the storm across Florida. More than 2 million households and businesses remain without power, while cleanup efforts continue as both local and federal authorities mobilize resources. Although the devastation was slightly less severe than feared, the storm still claimed 16 lives, mainly from tornadoes associated with the hurricane.
Biden's estimation aligns with initial projections from insurers, reinforcing the economic toll of the disaster. The president’s upcoming visit to Florida underscores the political sensitivity surrounding the disaster, particularly in the lead-up to the November election. This is the second significant storm to hit the state in recent weeks, with Hurricane Helene already contributing to substantial damage across the southeastern U.S.
The political landscape has been impacted by the storms, with Biden postponing an international trip to Germany to focus on disaster relief. His administration has been criticized by Republican challenger Donald Trump, who accused Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris of inadequate responses to earlier storms like Helene. Despite these attacks, Biden and Harris emphasized a commitment to long-term recovery efforts and bipartisanship.
The storms have become key points in the election discourse, with both sides navigating the public's desire for effective disaster management and transparent communication. Biden’s pointed remarks about disinformation, which he linked to political extremism, suggest that he intends to focus on facts and collaboration in crisis management, contrasting his leadership style with that of Trump’s more polarizing rhetoric. The coming weeks may reveal how much these natural disasters will influence voter sentiment as the U.S. grapples with both climate challenges and election-year politics.