John Morales is South Florida’s longest tenured TV meteorologist.
A dedicated and passionate professional, with a great deal of experience, his anguish-struck voice terrified viewers.
Reporting on Hurricane Milton’s progression, after a good part of the USA’s southeastern states were crippled just days ago by Hurricane Helene, Morales was struck by tears viewing its satellite progression.
Morales was sharing updates on NBC-owned WTVJ.
He apologized to the public for showing emotion: “I apologize…this is just horrific”, he said, calling it an “incredible, incredible hurricane”.
Morales blamed rising ocean temperatures, global warming and climate change for creating a powerful hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico. He expressed concern for human life in the Yucatan Peninsula in particular.
Authorities have been very severe on the matter of evacuation, with President Biden calling it “a matter of life and death”.
More than 3 million people across parts of central and southern Florida are now at an enhanced risk go severe thunderstorms, including the cities of Fort Myers, Sarasota and Melbourne, the SPC said.
Hurricane Milton will ramp up in intensity throughout Wednesday, placing several cities at tornado risk, the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) warns. These mostly involve parts of the central and southern Florida Peninsula, into the Florida Keys, also including Miami, Tampa and Orlando.
Residents must particularly avoid contact with floodwaters as they carry the risk of Vibrio infections, such as Vibrio vulnificus, which is particularly dangerous for immunocompromised individuals.
There is perhaps still hope, however: reports say that the vortex should weaken one or two categories before hitting land. Other critics say it may end up a sensationalized news event. Let’s hope so.
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