Since most Florida citizens have continued to cope with catastrophic hurricanes which have submerged several of the state’s roadways, Republican governor Ron DeSantis has come under heavy criticism.
People are holding DeSantis responsible for what will be expected to become a challenging summer, as the hurricane season of 2024 currently is off to a violent and disastrous beginning.
An Irreversible Meteorological Event
With over 20 inches of rain falling over municipalities in barely a week, the majority of Southern Florida was hit by what is being referred to as a once-in-a-lifetime storm phenomenon this past month.
In Miami, Hollywood, and Fort Lauderdale, numerous streets were submerged by this extraordinarily powerful precipitation, despite it being only a regular rainstorm and not especially a tropical storm.
The State of Emergency in Florida
The governor promptly declared a State of Emergency in response to this unprecedented downpour, enabling the authorities and emergency personnel to attempt to better manage the situation.
In just three hours, this storm dumped roughly eight inches of rain on Tampa Bay. Because of all of these extraordinarily intense downpours, meteorologists have explained that this particular occurrence only occurs approximately every 500–1000 years.
An Uncommon Event Turning Into a Typical One?
This once extremely rare phenomenon has since been reported by numerous meteorologists as potentially commonplace in Florida.
Rainstorms may become stronger and more destructive as a result of climate change’s continuous effects on the weather, which are raising temperatures to dangerous levels. Additional water-based droplets can readily develop in the atmosphere with increased heat, which exacerbates storms.
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DeSantis Won’t Discuss Climate Change
DeSantis won’t mention the possibility that Florida may experience harsher weather due to a rise in elevated temperatures, despite numerous meteorologists speaking publicly regarding this possibility.
Many Floridians are enraged by this, as they happen to be the ones in need who have to deal with severe flooding and the terrifying prospect of what the upcoming storm season could possibly bring.
The Climatic Change Denial Statute
The term “climate change” along with any references to it were fully removed from Florida law by a legislation that DeSantis passed into effect just recently.
Additionally, this act eliminated a nearly two-decade-old regulation that gave climate change precedence when determining energy policy. The “Don’t Say Climate Change” bill is the moniker given to it by its detractors.
DeSantis Visits Florida’s Overrun Regions
Following the rain, DeSantis visited numerous devastated communities in Florida to offer his solidarity and regrets for what had happened. But he would not discuss climate change.
While addressing these damaged areas, DeSantis said that beliefs related to global warming shouldn’t dictate energy policy.
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DeSantis Responds to Opponents
In response to those who have attacked him over his recent law and remarks regarding climate change, DeSantis has taken offense.
While stating that the measure tries to guarantee that the state’s energy approach is guided by accessibility for Floridians along with reliability, the governor has stressed that he is not ignoring climate change.
Florida’s Newest Energy Regulations
According to DeSantis, he intends Florida’s policies to prioritize dependability and affordability. He asserted that Florida differs from California and that its laws ought not to be adopted in that state.
DeSantis has also asserted that the criticism of his recent regulations, which forbid offshore wind installations and defend natural gas pipelines as well as fossil fuels, is merely political.
Supporting the Fossil Fuel Sector?
Furthermore, many have implied that DeSantis has little regard for Floridians. Rather, he is only concerned with supporting people in the utility, natural gas, as well as fossil fuel sectors.
DeSantis’s opposition to environmental protection and safeguarding Florida from impending catastrophic events is attributed by these critics to this reason.
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An Active Hurricane Season Is on the Way
Given how many Floridians are anticipating a hectic and active hurricane season, DeSantis’ remarks lately did not exactly given them peace of mind.
It was previously reported that the Atlantic hurricane season will be busier than usual, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Up to 25 storms with names have an 85% chance of happening, with 13 of them possibly becoming hurricanes.
Approved Water Plans
Flooding has always been a problem in many Florida regions. The situation might worsen because DeSantis has additionally rejected part of the $410 million allocated for water-related initiatives in the state, including rainfall drainage construction.
Many are concerned that this would cause additional flooding in Florida, especially during the peak hurricane season. Recently, Florida State Senator Jason Pizzo criticized DeSantis for this action, stating, “All those storm water projects he cut look pretty stupid right now as I’m sitting here stuck on a Brightline train because of flooding in my district.”
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