During a recent press conference, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis addressed questions regarding Hurricane Milton and its potential link to climate change. When asked about the impact of 'global warming' on the hurricane's intensity, DeSantis emphasized the importance of putting the situation into perspective.
DeSantis disputed the notion that Hurricane Milton was more severe than previous hurricanes, pointing out that tornadoes have been a part of human history for centuries. He highlighted that Milton had a barometric pressure of approximately 950 millibars upon landfall, noting that there have been 27 hurricanes with lower barometric pressure since 1851.
The governor referenced historical data to provide context, mentioning that Florida had experienced 17 hurricanes stronger than Milton before 1960. He also cited the Labor Day hurricane of 1935, which had a record-low barometric pressure of 892 millibars, as the most powerful storm on record since the 1850s. Additionally, DeSantis noted the deadliest hurricane in Florida's history, which occurred in 1928.
DeSantis urged the public to view the situation with Hurricane Milton in a broader historical context, emphasizing that while the number of people and properties at risk has increased due to population growth, advancements in prevention and asset pre-staging have also improved over time.
He highlighted the importance of recognizing the historical prevalence of severe weather events and the evolving strategies in place to mitigate their impact. DeSantis underscored the need to consider the changing landscape of vulnerabilities and preparedness measures in the face of natural disasters.
