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Meteorologists battle flood of misinformation as they report on Milton

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By illuminem briefings

· 2 min read


illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Washington Post or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: As Hurricane Milton approaches Florida, meteorologists are battling a surge of misinformation on social media, with false claims complicating public understanding of the storm’s severity
Scientists warn that climate denial and conspiracy theories are undermining efforts to communicate vital storm data

🔭 The context: Hurricane Milton, expected to hit Florida with 145 mph winds and a dangerous storm surge, comes in the wake of Hurricane Helene
Meteorologists like John Morales are finding it increasingly difficult to warn the public, as social media spreads false claims such as Milton being a “Category 6” hurricane, a classification that does not exist

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: As climate change intensifies extreme weather events, misinformation can prevent people from taking necessary precautions, potentially costing lives
The spread of false narratives also hampers long-term efforts to address the climate crisis

⏭️ What's next: Meteorologists and emergency officials are urging the public to rely on trusted sources like the National Hurricane Center, as misinformation could obstruct critical evacuation efforts and disaster responses

💬 One quote: “This is by far the worst misinformation [for a] weather event I’ve ever seen in my career” - meteorologist Katie Nickolaou

📈 One stat: Hurricane Milton is forecasted to bring a storm surge of 10 to 15 feet, threatening millions in the Tampa region

Click for more news covering the latest on climate change

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