Featured Image Credit: NBC 6/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Topics: Hurricane Milton, Weather, US News, World News
Rhianna Benson
Topics: Hurricane Milton, Weather, US News, World News
A meteorologist discussing the deadly hurricane currently making its way through Florida was seen on the brink of tears during an interview earlier this week.
NBC expert John Morales was forced to hold back tears during the harrowing discussion when asked about the amount of lives that could potentially be lost to Hurricane Milton.
The storm has been described by weather experts as the 'deadliest' and most 'catastrophic' natural disaster to hit the south-eastern state in 100 years.
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Residents living in the region were strongly urged to flee their homes and find safety in neighbouring states in a bid to protect themselves from 165 mph winds, though many have been unable to leave and will tragically likely die in the turmoil.
Milton made its way through the Tampa area last night, with the 15ft storm submerging entire properties into deep, dangerous water.
Mayor of the region Jane Castor previously addressed the reality that those who choose to stay in their homes are likely to die.
"So if you're in it, basically that's the coffin that you're in," she warned this week.
The heartbreaking news has left millions of spectators across the globe reeling - including meteorologist John Morales, who became emotional over the loss of life while live on air.
The forecaster was discussing the imminent hurricane on Tuesday (8 October) before he received an heartbreaking update from weather services.
"It's just an incredible, incredible hurricane..." he began, before needing to pause in order to compose himself.
"It has dropped..." Morales attempted to continue, visibly choking up at the news.
"It has dropped 50 millibars in 10 hours... erm... I apologise. This is just horrific."
The weather expert went on to admit that he'd never seen a hurricane strengthening so quickly, having intensified from being a tropical storm to a Category 5 hurricane within less than a day.
Since Morales' tear-jerking interview about Milton's forthcoming impact, the hurricane has thankfully downgraded to being Category 5 - when it first began stirring in the Atlantic Ocean over the weekend - to Category 4.
The storm has increased in size, however, and is predicted to lay waste to colossal patches of land.
Government officials have since been drafted in to assist any residents who are unable to evacuate their properties for whatever reason.
Cathie Perkins - Emergency Management Director - said in a press conference on Wednesday morning (9 October): "This is it, folks.
"Those of you who were punched during Hurricane Helene, this is going to be a knockout.
"You need to get out and you need to get out now. Everybody in Tampa Bay should assume we are going to be ground zero."