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Hurricane Milton: Cleanup underway in Florida, several dead

Published
6 months agoon
By
Ekwutos Blog
Milton unleashed wind, flooding and heavy rain, with flash flood warnings still in place. The storm made landfall as a Category 3 storm, and was downgraded to Category 1 as it moved east over Florida.
Florida Governor De Santis says Milton damage ‘not worse case scenario’ warns of more flooding Hurricane Milton made landfall along Florida’s Gulf Coast as a Category 3 storm The hurricane has left millions of people without electricity The storm was later downgraded to a Category 1 hurricane as it made its way east across Florida
Florida Governor De Santis says Milton damage ‘not the worst-case scenario’
Florida Governor Ron De Santis said early on Thursday that the state had been spared “the worst-case scenario” as Hurricane Milton crossed overnight.
“We had over 80,000 people that went into shelters overnight as the storm hit the state,” De Santis said.
He said that while the storm was significant, preliminary indications did not suggest damage on the extent feared before it made landfall.
“We will better understand the extent of the damage as the day progresses,” De Santis said.
“What we can say is: the storm was significant, but thankfully, this was not the worst-case scenario. The storm did weaken before landfall, and the storm surge as initially reported has not been as significant overall as what was observed for Hurricane Helene.”
He said the most serious storm surge reported, likely in the region of 8-10 feet (roughly 2.45 meters to 3.05 meters) in Sarasota County on the western coast to the Gulf of Mexico, compared to figures roughly double that in the worst-hit places during Hurricane Helene.
Water levels in Florida were forecast to continue rising, he said, with flooding a potential risk not just now but in the coming days as a result. De Santis said flooding occurred on both the west and east coasts of the state overnight.
Milton moved east-northeast across the state and its eye was over the Atlantic Ocean rather than land by Thursday morning. It is currently projected to continue moving out to sea. But high wind speeds and heavy rains persisted in places in its wake.
Milton reaches Atlantic maintaining hurricane-force winds
A weakened but still powerful Hurricane Milton has completed its path across Florida, entering the Atlantic Ocean as a Category 1 storm.
US emergency services have warned that the remnants of Milton would continue to bring heavy rains, flash floods, and highly destructive winds to the southern US state throughout the day.
“This rainfall will continue to bring the risk of catastrophic and life-threatening flash and urban flooding, along with moderate to major river flooding,” the National Hurricane Center said.
Rescue crews and government officials said that the full toll of the storm’s destruction could not be estimated until day breaks in the eastern United States.
More than 3 million without power
Hurricane Milton has knocked out power across a large section of Florida, with more than 3 million homes and businesses without power as of early Thursday, according to utility report tracking website poweroutage.us.
More than 97% of homes in Hardee County were reported as not having electricity, with Hillsborough, Manatee and Sarasota counties also particularly hard-hit.
NHC: Milton is now Category 1 hurricane
Early on Thursday, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said Milton had become a Category 1 hurricane.
The downgrade came several hours after the storm made landfall as a Category 3.
Hurricanes typically lose steam after hitting land.
On Sunday and Monday, scientists were left stunned when the storm rapidly developed from a Category 1 to 5 within a matter of hours.
Despite the downgrade, winds were still extremely strong at 90 mph (150 kph) as the storm made its way towards Cape Canaveral on Florida’s east coast.
In pictures: Milton’s destruction
Hurricane Milton damaged homes and property as it crossed Florida in the early hours of Thursday.
Roof torn off Tropicana Field
The home of the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team lost its roof late on Wednesday.
https://x.com/JasonAdamsWFTS/status/1844211275439784196?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1844211275439784196%7Ctwgr%5E9ca2f10e93f138ef7f7b65bf74e1fb1b00d3a455%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dw.com%2Fen%2Fhurricane-milton-cleanup-underway-in-florida-several-dead%2Flive-70449315
According to the Tampa Bay Times, the multipurpose stadium was being used as a staging area for National Guardsmen and electrical workers.
An NBA preseason game scheduled to take place in the arena later this week has been canceled, and the Tampa Bay Lightning hockey team’s home opener was likely to be moved to another location.
“There’s always things bigger than the game of basketball,” said Orlando Magic coach Jamahl Mosley, whose team had been due to play against the New Orleans Pelicans at Tropicana on Friday.
Milton weakens to Category 2 hurricane
According to the US National Hurricane Center, Milton had weakened to a Category 2 hurricane after making landfall.
It was still packing maximum sustained winds of 110 mph (175 kph).
The National Weather Service warned it would continue to bring “devastating rains and damaging winds” across the central Florida peninsula throughout Thursday.
After passing Florida, the storm is expected to weaken over the western Atlantic, possibly dropping below hurricane strength on Thursday night. Nonetheless, it will still pose a storm-surge danger on the state’s Atlantic coast.
First fatalities reported in Florida
Hurricane Milton has reportedly claimed its first victims in St. Lucie County on the east coast of Florida, officials have told media including local West Palm Beach outlet WPTV, the BBC and CNN.
Local Sheriff Keith Pearson confirmed “multiple fatalities” at a seniors’ country club near Fort Pierce, saying police officers were using bulldozers and other equipment “to recover anyone we can, provide any help that we can.”
“It’s devastating, no words can describe it,” he said.
Exact details remain unclear, but Pearson said the county had been hit by “multiple tornadoes” that sprung up before the hurricane’s arrival. The Sheriff’s office itself was reportedly also damaged.
“With a tornado, you don’t know [where it will strike],” he said. “It’s like having a bomb dropped at any place and any time.”
He warned residents that it’s now too late to evacuate, saying: “If you’re home, stay at home. Don’t make us come out here for you.”
St. Lucie County is on Florida’s eastern Atlantic coast, about 140 miles east of Sarasota, where Hurricane Milton made landfall.
Biden speaks with Florida officials
US President Joe Biden held a telephone call with Florida officials on Wednesday in the hours before Hurricane Milton made landfall in Sarasota.
According to a White House readout, he “emphasized that he will be with them and their communities before, during, and after the storm – no matter how long it takes.”
Local officials on the call included Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, Sarasota Mayor Liz Alpert, and US Representatives Gus Bilirakis and Kathy Castor.
President Biden “told each of these leaders to call him directly if they need additional assistance on rescue, response, and recovery efforts,” said the White House.
“Throughout the afternoon, the President has been receiving regular briefings on Hurricane Milton’s latest trajectory and expected impacts to the State of Florida.
“He will continue to receive updates from his team throughout the night as the storm moves across the peninsula.”
‘Life-threatening’ flash-flood warnings in Tampa Bay area
Authorities in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater have issued severe flash-flood warnings for nearly two million people.
“Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly,” the Tampa National Weather Service (NWS) cautioned, reporting “between 6 and 12 inches (15-30 centimeters)” of rain in the last hours.
It warned of “life-threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses.”
Over 1 million people without power in Florida
An unprecedented number of power cuts have already left over 1.1 million homes and businesses in Florida without electricity after Hurricane Milton made landfall.
The most significant outages are in Sarasota County, where Milton made landfall around 8:30 p.m. local time.
The number of power cuts is set to rise as the storm moves inland and across the state.
Taylor Swift, Dolly Parton and others donate to hurricane relief
Taylor Swift has donated millions of dollars to charity and several top US country musicians have announced a benefit concert – all aimed at supporting people across the southern United States affected by Hurricane Helene two weeks ago and who are now set to be hit by Hurricane Milton.
Pop superstar Swift gave $5 million (€4.57m) to the nonprofit group Feeding America to assist in the storms’ aftermath, according to a social media post from the group.
“Thank you, Taylor, for standing with us in the movement to end hunger and helping communities in need,” said CEO Claire Babineaux-Fontenot in a statement.
Elsewhere, country stars Keith Urban, Luke Combs and Eric Church top the bill for a “Concert for Carolina” scheduled for October 26 for the benefit of the regions worst hit by Helene.
Among other efforts, country singer Morgan Wallen donated $500,000 to the American Red Cross for hurricane relief and was spotted helping to collect supplies in Knoxville, Tennessee on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, country legend Dolly Parton donated $1 million of her personal funds to a Tennessee nonprofit. “These are my people and this is my home,” Parton told a crowd in Newport, Tennessee. “I am with you because I am part of you.”
Hurricane Milton hits near Siesta Key Florida
Hurricane Milton has made landfall near Siesta Key, Florida, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) has said.
It was located about 115 miles (185 km) southwest of Orlando Florida, with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph (205 kph).
“Data indicate the eye of Hurricane Milton has made landfall near Siesta Key in Sarasota County along the west coast of Florida,” the NHC said.
The category 3 storm has been expected to maintain hurricane strength as it has crossed the Florida peninsula. It has posed storm-surge danger on the state’s Atlantic coast as well.
The storm has been able to bring a surge of seawater as high as nine to 13 feet (2.7 to 4 meters) in some areas and has dumped six to 12 inches (150 to 300 mm) of rain, with as much as 18 inches (450 mm) possible in spots.
Governor DeSantis urges residents to ‘hunker down’
“This storm is here,” Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has warned residents in his latest briefing.
He has said it is no longer safe for people to evacuate from Florida.
“At this point, it is too dangerous to evacuate safely, so you have to hunker down.”
Flooding reported on Florida west coast
Local authorities are reporting major flooding in the cities of Naples and Fort Myers on the west coast of Florida as Hurricane Milton edges closer to land.
In Naples, Milton’s storm surge has already caused water levels to rise 3.7 feet (1.13 meters) above normally dry ground.
Just up the coast in Fort Myers, water levels are also up by nearly 3 feet.
Further north, more than three inches (7.62cm) of rain have been reported in just three hours in parts of the Tampa Bay area.
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BREAKING: Court bars Akpabio, Natasha Akpoti, and Senate from granting interviews over alleged misconduct case

Published
12 hours agoon
April 4, 2025By
Ekwutos Blog
The Federal High Court in Abuja has barred Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Senate President, God’swill Akpabio and Senate from granting press, TV interviews and social media posts regarding the pending case on the suspension of the female lawmaker until the matter is decided.
Justice Binta Nyako declared this in her ruling on Friday, while restraining the parties and their lawyers.
Ekwutosblog previously reported that Justice Obiora Egwuatu, had withdrawn from Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s pending suit, which challenges her suspension by the Senate over allegations of misconduct, based on allegations of bias by one of those sued by her.
The Chief Judge John Tsoho eventually reassigned the matter to Justice Binta Nyako.
Nairametrics previously reported that Akpoti-Uduaghan had filed a motion ex parte, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025, suing the Clerk of the National Assembly (NASS), the Senate, the Senate President, and Senator Neda Imasuem, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct.
The lawmaker sought an “order of interim injunction restraining the Senate’s committee, chaired by Imasuem, from proceeding with the purported investigation against her for alleged misconduct, which stemmed from events that occurred during plenary on February 20 and were referred by the Senate on February 25, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for an interlocutory injunction.”
Ekwutosblog previously reported that amid the pending case, the Nigerian Senate went ahead to suspend Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months, effective March 6, 2025, citing violations of Senate rules.
Justice Egwuatu later announced his withdrawal from the case, citing allegations of bias levelled against the court by one of the defendants.
The judge said that justice is rooted in confidence in the court and that once a litigant expresses his belief that there is bias or likelihood of bias on the part of the judge, it will not be in the interest of justice for the judge to continue.
What transpired in court
At the resumed hearing on Friday, J.S. Okutepa SAN, counsel for Akpoti, said that his case was urgent given that the suspension of his client which he is complaining of is for six months.
He called for streamlining of all processes and that the matter be resolved expeditiously.
- The court, Charles Iyoila, counsel for Clerk of National Assembly, Chikaosolu Ojukwu SAN for Senate, Kehinde Ogunwumiju SAN, counsel for Godswill Akpabio and Umeh Kalu SAN for fourth defendant, Senate Committee chair, agreed to expedite the proceedings alongside Okutepa.
- However, Kehinde Ogunwumiju said that motions for injunctions has to be attended to urgently because, according to him, Natasha has been granting interviews on BBC and CNN and other media houses which he believes are prejudicial to the course of justice.
- Okutepa faulted the line of submission of Ogunwumiju, saying there is also a Senator (from the South East) who has been appearing on TV and speaking on the issue.
Okutepa insisted that the court’s orders should include all privies and any member of the Senate.
“They should maintain decorum,” he said.
What the judge said
Ruling on the application, Justice Binta said there should be “no press interviews by parties and counsel as regards the subject matter of this case.”
“No streaming or social media posts as regards this case by any of the parties and counsel.
“No TV interviews analyzing the subject matter of this case while the case is subjudice,” she ruled.
She equally directed the parties to ensure “total media blockade” on this case until this matter is decided.
The court subsequently adjourned the matter to May 12, 2025 for hearing.
Backstory
The altercation between Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Akpabio became widely publicized after she was asked to change her seat during plenary.
On February 28, 2025, Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of making inappropriate advances toward her during a visit to his home in December 2023.
Her suspension has sparked mixed reactions within the political landscape.
While some lawmakers and analysts view the decision as a necessary enforcement of legislative discipline, others argue that the penalties are excessive and could set a dangerous precedent for stifling dissent within the Senate.
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Anambra Native Doctors in Court: Akwa Ọkụkọ, Eke Hit, and Onyeze Jesus Face Justice

Published
14 hours agoon
April 4, 2025By
Ekwutos Blog
In a significant development, three notorious native doctors from Anambra State, Akwa Ọkụkọ, Eke Hit, and Onyeze Jesus, were spotted in court today, 4/4/2025.
The trio is facing charges related to their alleged involvement in “quick riches” rituals and other illicit activities.
According to Ekwutosblog metro, the Anambra State Government has filed a six-count charge against Akwa Ọkụkọ (Chidozie Nwangwu) and 28 others, including Eke Hit and Onyeze Jesus. If found guilty, they could face up to 20 years in prison.
Onyeze Jesus, the founder of Children of Light Anointing Ministries, had been under scrutiny for his controversial rituals, which involved taking followers to a river for “quick riches” ceremonies. He had also been accused of idol worship and other nefarious activities.
The arrests and subsequent court appearances of these native doctors are part of the Anambra State Government’s efforts to crack down on ritual killings and other crimes in the state.
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South Korea’s President Yoon Suk-yeol impeached over martial law order

Published
16 hours agoon
April 4, 2025By
Ekwutos Blog
President Yoon Suk Yeol removed from office as the court upholds impeachment. ‘I am truly sorry and heartbroken that I could not live up to your expectations,’ ousted leader says
The Constitutional Court upheld the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol, resulting in his immediate removal from office. The decision to remove the president from office was unanimous, with all eight Constitutional Court justices voting in favor, 8–0.
The ruling came 111 days after the National Assembly passed the impeachment motion against Yoon, accusing him of treason for declaring martial law on Dec. 3.
Acting Chief Justice Moon Hyung-bae began reading the reasoning for their ruling at 11 a.m., and the decision to remove Yoon from the presidency was finalized at 11:22 a.m.
“The respondent declared the martial law in question with the intent of overcoming a standoff with the National Assembly, then deployed military and police forces to obstruct the Assembly’s exercise of its constitutional authority, thereby denying the principles of popular sovereignty and democracy,” Moon said, emphasizing that Yoon abandoned his responsibility to safeguard the Constitution and gravely betrayed the trust of the sovereign people of the Republic of Korea.
“Given the significant negative impact and widespread repercussions of his violations of the constitutional order, it is recognized that the benefit of upholding the Constitution by removing the respondent from office far outweighs the national costs associated with dismissing a sitting president. Accordingly, the court issues the following unanimous decision: … Ruling: the respondent, President Yoon Suk Yeol, is hereby removed from office,” the acting chief justice read in the ruling.
There were no dissenting justices, and only a few expressed separate opinions on specific issues. This marks the first dismissal of a sitting president in Korea in eight years, following the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye in March 2017. Under Article 68 of the Constitution, a new presidential election must be held within 60 days of the court’s ruling.
In Park’s impeachment case, the Constitutional Court upheld the decision on March 10, 2017. Exactly 60 days later, on May 9, a presidential election was held, resulting in the victory of Moon Jae-in, former leader of the Democratic Party of Korea.
With the impeachment ruling now issued, the 60-day deadline falls on Tuesday, June 3, making it highly likely that the presidential election will be held on that day or earlier.
Following Yoon’s immediate removal, he and first lady Kim Keon Hee must vacate the presidential residence in central Seoul’s Hannam-dong.
If they return to their previous home in southern Seoul, where they used to live before Yoon’s inauguration, security measures will be provided. Under the current law, an impeached president who fails to complete their term is entitled to up to 10 years of security protection.
Similarly, Park was only able to move to her private residence in southern Seoul two days after her impeachment ruling, due to the time needed to arrange security measures. Following the top court’s decision, acting President Han Duck-soo stated in a national address that he takes the unprecedented impeachment of a sitting head of state — the second in the nation’s constitutional history — with great gravity. He pledged to ensure there would be no gaps in national security and foreign affairs during his tenure as acting president.
He also emphasized his commitment to addressing ongoing economic and trade issues without disruption, maintaining public order, and thoroughly preparing for various disasters.
Yoon also issued a statement about three hours after the court’s ruling, saying, “It has been a great honor to serve the Republic of Korea.”
He continued, “I am deeply grateful to all of you who supported and encouraged me despite my many shortcomings. I am truly sorry and heartbroken that I could not live up to your expectations. I will always pray for our beloved nation, Korea.”
The chief of staff and all senior secretaries at the presidential office tendered their resignations later in the afternoon.Meanwhile, Kwon Young-se, interim leader of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), expressed the party’s regret and apologies to the public following the impeachment ruling, saying the party takes the Constitutional Court’s decision seriously and humbly accepts it.
Speaking to reporters at the National Assembly, Kwon acknowledged that opinions may differ but emphasized, “We firmly believe that respecting this decision is the only way to uphold democracy and the rule of law. We see this as part of our society’s progress toward becoming a more mature democracy. Above all, I extend my deepest apologies to the people.”
He added that the party takes the public’s criticism and reprimands to heart and will accept them fully.
Rep. Lee Jae-myung, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, stated that his party will do its utmost to ensure that the tragedy of constitutional disruption is never repeated and that politics becomes a source of hope for the people and the nation.
“The court has ruled to remove former President Yoon, who destroyed the Constitution and threatened democracy and the public with the power and military force entrusted to him by the people,” Lee said in an emergency statement at the National Assembly. “The impeachment of a sitting president for the second time in our nation’s history is a tragedy that must never happen again. This is a moment for deep reflection and a profound sense of responsibility for everyone in politics, including myself.”
Lee further stated that Korea holds a unique place in world history as a nation where unarmed citizens peacefully succeeded in toppling authoritarian power, emphasizing that the country’s democracy has been revived by the will of the people.

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