Conspiracy theories such as “the government controls the weather” > News

(international) Damage from the major hurricane ‘Milton’ that passed through the US state of Florida is being confirmed one after another. Depending on the scale of damage, there are observations that this disaster could act as a variable in the results of the US presidential election, which is just three weeks away.

According to NBC on the 12th, Milton landed on the coast of Siesta Key in Sarosota County, western Florida, around 8:30 p.m. on the 9th and passed through the state. It was calculated that at least 17 people died as a result. According to the Florida Governor’s Office, as of the 11th, about 2.8 million households were without power and about 13,000 people were evacuated. Additionally, 1,800 residents and 225 animals were rescued by emergency rescue teams.

Of the 54 public school districts in the region, 53 were closed until the 13th. Three out of 10 gas stations in the state are having difficulty operating normally due to damage from this hurricane. In particular, in the St. Petersburg area, which recorded the highest rainfall (approximately 457 mm) that can occur once in 1,000 years, 78% of gas stations were unable to operate due to fuel supply interruption.

On the 11th (local time), some facilities in Port St. Lucie, Florida, were damaged due to Hurricane Milton. AFP = Yonhap News

Milton, which was a large hurricane (category 3) at the time of landfall, weakened to category 2 in about 90 minutes, but left significant damage due to strong winds reaching 195 km per hour and record-breaking heavy rain. The blow was even greater because the damage from the major hurricane ‘Hullin’, which killed about 230 people just three weeks ago, had not yet been recovered. In addition, there are concerns about additional flooding damage as floodwaters from the upper St. Johns River continue to flow into some areas of central Florida. It is predicted that it will take at least a year just to repair the damage.

The state and federal governments are in full swing with damage recovery efforts. Governor Ron DeSantis said in a statement on the 11th that “life-saving operations have begun in the affected areas.”

On the same day, President Joe Biden issued a statement and emphasized quick recovery of the damage, saying, “The economic damage (due to Milton) is estimated to amount to $50 billion (approximately 68 trillion won).” The White House said in a press release, “President Biden has approved a large-scale disaster declaration.” With this declaration, residents affected by the hurricane will be able to receive support from the federal government, including temporary housing and low-interest loans.

Hurricane, a variable in the US presidential election?… fake news debate
This disaster may act as a variable in the US presidential election. The Washington Post (WP) said, “It is common for voter turnout to fall especially in areas with severe damage,” and “Confusion at polling places (due to damage recovery, etc.) can also affect the election.”

Following Hurlin, which landed three weeks ago, areas affected by Milton include swing states such as North Carolina and Georgia, and Florida, a strong Republican region. There are also observations that voters’ opinions may be divided over recovery measures for these damaged areas.

Democratic presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris (left) and Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump, who face each other in the upcoming presidential election on November 5. Reuters = Yonhap News

In fact, the fake news debate has heated up over the Biden administration’s disaster measures. Former President Donald Trump said at a recent campaign rally, “The government will provide only $750 (approximately 1.01 million won) in relief to residents affected by hurricanes,” and added, “The Democratic Party is criticized for using the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) budget for illegal immigrants.” “The government has no money to support hurricane victims,” he claimed. Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene (Georgia), a pro-Trump figure, even spread the conspiracy theory that “the government controls the weather.”

In response, the Democratic Party fiercely criticized Trump, calling it “groundless fake news.” President Biden said in a statement, “Trump is the biggest mouth (spreading false information)” and “Help the victims and come to your senses (Get a life, man).”

President Joe Biden hugs Vice President Kamala Harris at a joint campaign held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a battleground state for the U.S. presidential election, on the 2nd of last month (local time). UPI=Yonhap News

Trump also directly attacked his presidential opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris. On the 12th, Trump said to Harris, who had been on a schedule with volunteers after a campaign in North Carolina, an area affected by Hurlin, “Even though there are many victims and drownings in many states, you are going around these places and doing comedy to raise (campaign funds).” and criticized.

Harris later did not mention Trump directly at the town hall meeting, but said, “It is important for leadership to recognize dignity,” and “Now is not the time for politics (about this disaster).”

Toronto JoongAng Ilbo (news@cktimes.net)