A Florida meteorologist is going viral for his emotional coverage of the fast-growing Hurricane Milton.
John Morales, the chief meteorologist for NBC 6 South Florida, was tracking the "incredible" Hurricane Milton when he became visibly choked up.
"I apologize," Morales said, "This is just horrific."
➡️ NOW: An emotional hurricane #Milton update from @JohnMoralesTV as the storm hits Cat. 5 status.
— CHRIS HUSH (@ChrisHushNBC) October 7, 2024
Take this seriously.
We have you covered here on @nbc6 pic.twitter.com/QEe3E25JGX
Morales, who was born in Schenectady, New York, and raised in Puerto Rico, per his NBC 6 biography, said the storm's maximum sustained winds are currently 160 mph and "gaining strength in the Gulf of Mexico where the winds are record hot."
"You know what's driving that, I don't need to tell you: global warming, climate change leading to this and becoming an increasing threat," Morales warned.
The storm is expected to hit the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico, which Morales said will be devastated by the Category 5 storm.
"These communities, as you might imagine, many folks in that area have just the very basics," Morales said. "Just the basics, nothing else but that, so it's going to be very tough."
Hurricane Milton is predicted to make landfall in Florida's Tampa Bay region on Wednesday. Although it should weaken before it does, Morales cautioned that because of the storm's stunning strength, it's going to be "nothing less than a major hurricane when it makes landfall in Florida."
At a news conference, Gov. Ron DeSantis urged residents in the Tampa Bay region to take evacuation orders seriously. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor echoed DeSantis's plea, calling Hurricane Milton "the real deal," according to reporting by NBC 6.
X users were touched by the meteorologist's vulnerable reaction to the potentially devastating storm.
I'm in Orlando and I just saw this clip with Mr. Morales and I started tearing up myself. You can tell that he realizes this is gonna be bad and as much as I hate to say it, people are gonna lose property they might lose their lives and this is just a terrible terrible situation.
— Sam Waldo (@wlodawskicodes) October 7, 2024
I like a meteorologist with heart and passion.
— Shevawn Weber (@Thrifting4Good) October 7, 2024
@nbc6 - Let John Morales continue his full segment. We all want to hear directly fr him. We want to hear fr someone who is as scared as we are. Who is fearful of loss of life & doesn't circumvent the fact that this is only happening b/c of Global Warming. Don't cut him off
— Fu Cookies20 (@FCookies20) October 7, 2024
What a dear man---prayers up for Florida--I hope everyone can get out.
— Jrap (@jaraper) October 7, 2024
Wow, humanity still exists in media. And real, honest concern for the Mexican People is just so rare.
— TruthandTransparency (@Truthntranspare) October 7, 2024
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