Lessons from extreme storms in Florida in 2024

Extreme storms in Florida during 2024 have underscored critical lessons on the growing frequency and intensity of hurricanes.

Warmer ocean temperatures, driven by climate change, have been linked to the rapid intensification of storms like Milton and Beryl, highlighting the greater dangers warmer waters bring to coastal regions. These storms have set unprecedented records, from peak wind speeds to storm surge, illustrating the escalating threat of flooding and destruction.

While infrastructure improvements and building elevation can offset some risks, experts emphasize the need to address root causes, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, to limit long-term impacts.

Facing repeated devastation, residents and policymakers are grappling with how to adapt to an increasingly volatile future shaped by a warming planet.

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

NASA satellites captured images of Hurricane Beryl as it barreled through the eastern Caribbean.

NO. 1: WE’VE NEVER SEEN A STORM LIKE BERYL. WHAT THE CAT 5 HURRICANE SAYS ABOUT A WARMER FUTURE

“It’s like redefining what is typical behavior. It’s really eye-opening.” | Published July 3, 2024 | Read Full Story by Alex Harris

Nancy Hodges Duduen, 83, made a trip from Tallahassee to First Street in Cedar Key on Wednesday, Oct. 2 to see the damage to the home she grew up in. By Ashley Miznazi

NO. 2: HELENE, NOW MILTON DELIVERING DEVASTATING STORM SURGE. WILL FLORIDA EVER BUILD FOR IT?

The power of surge: ‘It will destroy you. It will break the piles, the columns that the house was built on.’ | Published October 9, 2024 | Read Full Story by Denise Hruby

Hurricane Milton as seen from aboard the Dragon Endeavour. By Matthew Dominick/X screenshot

NO. 3: ‘WOW’: SEE WHAT MASSIVE HURRICANE MILTON LOOKS LIKE FROM AN ASTRONAUT’S POINT OF VIEW

It’s expected to make landfall late Wednesday | Published October 8, 2024 | Read Full Story by Madeleine Marr

A radar image captured Hurricane Milton just before it came ashore in Sarasota.

NO. 4: WHY MONSTER HURRICANES LIKE MILTON ARE HAPPENING IN THE GULF. IT’S NOT GEOENGINEERING

Republicans and Democrats have pushed back on disinformation circulating about hurricanes Milton and Helene. The Herald spoke to scientists to get the facts | Published October 10, 2024 | Read Full Story by Denise Hruby

This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.