Forecast shows that Hurricane Helene is strengthening as it moves across the Eastern Gulf of Mexico and will make landfall over Florida's big bent Coast early on Friday morning. Here's a detailed report. Watch in for more details!

Hurricane Helene: Florida Battered By Strong Winds And Heavy Rain

The United States Coast Guard rescued a man and his dog when their&nbsp;boat became disabled off the coast of the US state of Florida as Hurricane Helene barreled towards the land. The officials reported that the boat started taking on water 25 miles out to sea as Hurricane Helene approached the duo.&nbsp;

According to the statement of US&nbsp;Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater released on Friday (Sep 27) morning, the sailor and his dog were on a 36-foot-long sailboat on Thursday when the boat became disabled, leaving a man and his pet stranded in the ocean with no help around.&nbsp;

Authorities said, “Coast Guard crews responded to the boater’s distress call and rushed to the man’s location, approximately 25 miles offshore from Sanibel Island near Fort Myers.” They added, “A successful rescue attempt was made and the unidentified sailor and his dog were saved and brought back to land.”

Officials have not made any announcements regarding the reason for the man being out to sea even after&nbsp;warnings were issued in the area as Hurricane Helene was expected to make landfall.&nbsp;

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Hurricane Helene landed in Florida’s Big Bend Region, marking a major Category 4 storm with 140 mph winds on Thursday night. The storm has touched down in Perry, Floria, located just east of the mouth of the Aucilla River. &nbsp;

According to powerouttages.us, Hurricane Helene has significantly impacted the electricity supply in and around Florida. More than one million people were without a power supply. The storm also caused power outages in the neighbouring southern states, with more than 46,000 people without electricity in Georgia and over 12,400 people without power supply in North Carolina.

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Georgia Governor&nbsp;Brian Kemp said&nbsp;two people were killed during the storm’s passage into the US state&nbsp;overnight, raising the total death toll due to&nbsp;Hurricane Helene to three.&nbsp;

Kemp said that he and his family were "saddened to learn of the loss of two lives in Wheeler County this evening. As we join their families in mourning their deaths, we urge all Georgians to brace for further impact from Helene, remain vigilant and pray for all those affected."

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said one person lost his life on the I-4 highway near Tampa when a sign fell on a car.

(With inputs from agencies)

The United States Coast Guard rescued a man and his dog when their boat became disabled off the coast of the US state of Florida as Hurricane Helene barreled towards the land.

The United States Coast Guard rescued a man and his dog when their boat became disabled off the coast of the US state of Florida as Hurricane Helene barreled towards the land. The officials reported that the boat started taking on water 25 miles out to sea as Hurricane Helene approached the duo. According to the statement of US Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater released on Friday (Sep 27) morning, the sailor and his dog were on a 36-foot-long sailboat on Thursday when the boat became disabled, leaving a man and his pet stranded in the ocean with no help around. Authorities said, “Coast Guard crews responded to the boater’s distress call and rushed to the man’s location, approximately 25 miles offshore from Sanibel Island near Fort Myers.” They added, “A successful rescue attempt was made and the unidentified sailor and his dog were saved and brought back to land.” Officials have not made any announcements regarding the reason for the man being out to sea even after warnings were issued in the area as Hurricane Helene was expected to make landfall. Also Read | Hezbollah strikes Israeli city Tiberias after Israel’s 'savage' Beirut strikes Hurricane Helene landed in Florida’s Big Bend Region, marking a major Category 4 storm with 140 mph winds on Thursday night. The storm has touched down in Perry, Floria, located just east of the mouth of the Aucilla River. According to powerouttages.us, Hurricane Helene has significantly impacted the electricity supply in and around Florida. More than one million people were without a power supply. The storm also caused power outages in the neighbouring southern states, with more than 46,000 people without electricity in Georgia and over 12,400 people without power supply in North Carolina. Also Read | After France and US, UK backs India's bid for permanent seat on UNSC Georgia Governor Brian Kemp said two people were killed during the storm’s passage into the US state overnight, raising the total death toll due to Hurricane Helene to three. Kemp said that he and his family were "saddened to learn of the loss of two lives in Wheeler County this evening. As we join their families in mourning their deaths, we urge all Georgians to brace for further impact from Helene, remain vigilant and pray for all those affected." Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said one person lost his life on the I-4 highway near Tampa when a sign fell on a car. (With inputs from agencies)

Hurricane Helene: US Coast Guard rescues man and his dog lost at sea as hurricane barrels toward land

Hurricane Helene made landfall in the Florida Big Bend region as a Category 4 storm late Thursday, according to the US National Hurricane Centre. Watch in for more details!

Hurricane Helene Makes Landfall in Florida Big Bend

An increasingly powerful hurricane threatening, catastrophic, dangerous storm is surging and flooding is forecast to smash into Florida's gulf coast. Thousands of residents have evacuated towns along the US State's shoreline.

Florida Braces for Hurricane Helene, Threatening Deadly Winds and Storm Surge

An increasingly powerful hurricane threatening "catastrophic," dangerous storm surges and flooding was forecast to smash into Florida's Gulf coast on Thursday, as thousands of residents evacuated towns along the US state's shoreline.

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Helene strengthened into a hurricane mid-morning Wednesday in the Gulf of Mexico and is "expected to bring life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds, and flooding rains to a large portion of Florida and the Southeastern United States," the National Hurricane Center in Miami said in its latest bulletin.

Maximum sustained winds have increased to 85 miles (137 kilometers) per hour with higher gusts, as the storm moves north at 12 mph.

"Strengthening is forecast, and Helene is expected to be a major hurricane when it reaches the Florida Big Bend coast Thursday evening," the NHC added.

The storm now has the potential to roar ashore as an intensely powerful Category 4 hurricane, on the five-level Saffir-Simpson scale, potentially with sustained winds of 130 miles per hour, the center said.

"A catastrophic and deadly storm surge is likely along portions of the Florida Big Bend coast, where inundation could reach as high as 20 feet (six meters) above ground level, along with destructive waves," according to the NHC.

The storm also has potential to "penetrate well inland," it added. Several states are in the warning cone, and Atlanta, a Georgia metropolis hundreds of miles from the Gulf Coast and whose region is home to five million people, is forecast to experience close to tropical storm-force winds and heavy rain into Friday.

President Joe Biden was briefed on the storm Wednesday. "The entire Biden-Harris Administration stands ready to provide further assistance to Florida, and other states in the path of the storm, as needed," the White House said in a statement.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has issued a state of emergency for nearly all of Florida's 67 counties, including Miami-Dade. He has mobilized the National Guard and positioned thousands of personnel to prepare for possible search and rescue operations and power restoration.

"The impacts are going to be far beyond the eye of the storm," DeSantis said as he urged Floridians to rush preparations to completion and evacuate if ordered.

Helene earlier lashed Mexico's Yucatan peninsula, home to multiple tourist hotspots, including Cancun. By Wednesday afternoon, the storm's outer bands were buffeting the southern Florida Keys.

Sixteen Florida counties have announced mandatory partial evacuation orders, while two have ordered the evacuation of all residents. DeSantis said at least 62 health care facilities, from hospitals to nursing homes, have already begun evacuations.

- Whole state bracing -&nbsp;

A "direct impact" was likely in the Tallahassee region, where coastal communities already looked like ghost towns by Wednesday afternoon. 
In Crawfordville, potentially in the storm's direct path, wheelchair-bound residents of the Eden Springs Nursing and Rehab Center were being placed on coach buses for evacuation.

Other locals were seen loading up on gas and supplies, filling sandbags and boarding up homes and businesses. Communities across a wide swath of northwest Florida -- including Tampa Bay, an area of more than three million residents -- faced the dangerous threats of storm surge, heavy rain and fierce winds.

In St. Petersburg, adjacent to Tampa, cars lined up at supply donation or distribution centers while people filled sandbags. Teacher Lorraine Major, seen making her own preparations, has lived in Florida her whole life. "You get used to it," she said of the multiple storms and hurricanes that batter her state every year.

"But these last couple of years, the hurricanes are getting really, really bad," the 44-year-old told AFP in St. Petersburg.

In nearby Clearwater, resident Jasper MacFarland laid sand bags at his house entrance. "I expect the water to come up and I just don't want it to get in the house," he said.

A 250-mile stretch of coastline, essentially from Tampa Bay to just shy of Panama City, on the Florida panhandle is under hurricane warning. If forecasts are confirmed, Helene would become the most powerful hurricane to hit the US in more than a year.

Category 3 Hurricane Idalia hit northwestern Florida in August 2023. Researchers say climate change likely plays a role in the rapid intensification of storms, because there is more energy in a warmer ocean for them to feed on.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

An increasingly powerful hurricane threatening "catastrophic," dangerous storm surges and flooding was forecast to smash into Florida's Gulf coast on Thursday, as thousands of residents evacuated towns along the US state's shoreline.

An increasingly powerful hurricane threatening "catastrophic," dangerous storm surges and flooding was forecast to smash into Florida's Gulf coast on Thursday, as thousands of residents evacuated towns along the US state's shoreline. Helene strengthened into a hurricane mid-morning Wednesday in the Gulf of Mexico and is "expected to bring life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds, and flooding rains to a large portion of Florida and the Southeastern United States," the National Hurricane Center in Miami said in its latest bulletin. Maximum sustained winds have increased to 85 miles (137 kilometers) per hour with higher gusts, as the storm moves north at 12 mph. "Strengthening is forecast, and Helene is expected to be a major hurricane when it reaches the Florida Big Bend coast Thursday evening," the NHC added. The storm now has the potential to roar ashore as an intensely powerful Category 4 hurricane, on the five-level Saffir-Simpson scale, potentially with sustained winds of 130 miles per hour, the center said. "A catastrophic and deadly storm surge is likely along portions of the Florida Big Bend coast, where inundation could reach as high as 20 feet (six meters) above ground level, along with destructive waves," according to the NHC. The storm also has potential to "penetrate well inland," it added. Several states are in the warning cone, and Atlanta, a Georgia metropolis hundreds of miles from the Gulf Coast and whose region is home to five million people, is forecast to experience close to tropical storm-force winds and heavy rain into Friday. President Joe Biden was briefed on the storm Wednesday. "The entire Biden-Harris Administration stands ready to provide further assistance to Florida, and other states in the path of the storm, as needed," the White House said in a statement. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has issued a state of emergency for nearly all of Florida's 67 counties, including Miami-Dade. He has mobilized the National Guard and positioned thousands of personnel to prepare for possible search and rescue operations and power restoration. "The impacts are going to be far beyond the eye of the storm," DeSantis said as he urged Floridians to rush preparations to completion and evacuate if ordered. Helene earlier lashed Mexico's Yucatan peninsula, home to multiple tourist hotspots, including Cancun. By Wednesday afternoon, the storm's outer bands were buffeting the southern Florida Keys. Sixteen Florida counties have announced mandatory partial evacuation orders, while two have ordered the evacuation of all residents. DeSantis said at least 62 health care facilities, from hospitals to nursing homes, have already begun evacuations. - Whole state bracing - A "direct impact" was likely in the Tallahassee region, where coastal communities already looked like ghost towns by Wednesday afternoon. In Crawfordville, potentially in the storm's direct path, wheelchair-bound residents of the Eden Springs Nursing and Rehab Center were being placed on coach buses for evacuation. Other locals were seen loading up on gas and supplies, filling sandbags and boarding up homes and businesses. Communities across a wide swath of northwest Florida -- including Tampa Bay, an area of more than three million residents -- faced the dangerous threats of storm surge, heavy rain and fierce winds. In St. Petersburg, adjacent to Tampa, cars lined up at supply donation or distribution centers while people filled sandbags. Teacher Lorraine Major, seen making her own preparations, has lived in Florida her whole life. "You get used to it," she said of the multiple storms and hurricanes that batter her state every year. "But these last couple of years, the hurricanes are getting really, really bad," the 44-year-old told AFP in St. Petersburg. In nearby Clearwater, resident Jasper MacFarland laid sand bags at his house entrance. "I expect the water to come up and I just don't want it to get in the house," he said. A 250-mile stretch of coastline, essentially from Tampa Bay to just shy of Panama City, on the Florida panhandle is under hurricane warning. If forecasts are confirmed, Helene would become the most powerful hurricane to hit the US in more than a year. Category 3 Hurricane Idalia hit northwestern Florida in August 2023. Researchers say climate change likely plays a role in the rapid intensification of storms, because there is more energy in a warmer ocean for them to feed on. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Hurricane Helene strengthens, threatens ‘catastrophic’ storms in Florida

Helene threatens to become the strongest storm to hit the U.S. in over a year. Thousands evacuate as Helene expected to intensify into a Category 3 storm on Florida coast. Helene is expected to bring powerful winds, flooding and a life-threatening storm surge. Helene is on track to land on Florida’s Gulf Coast late Thursday. Helene would be the fifth hurricane to slam Florida since 2022. Watch to know more!

Florida Declares Emergency, Starts Evacuations As Tropical Storm Helene Intensifies | WION Originals

The U.S. State of Florida is preparing for the arrival of storm Helene, due to make landfall later in the week as a powerful category 3 hurricane...Storm Helene is currently churning over the Caribbean with maximum sustained winds of 85 kilometers per hour...

Hurricane Warning Issued For Parts Of Florida

Federal prosecutors have revealed new details about the man accused of attempting to assassinate Donald Trump. Authorities say he was found sitting with a rifle in the trees near Trump while he was golfing in West Palm Beach, Florida. In a letter, the suspect allegedly stated, "this was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump.” Stay tuned as we break down this shocking case and its potential implications.

Ryan Routh: Suspect In Trump Assassination Attempt May Face New Charges

A major thunderstorm system which is strengthening in the western Caribbean Sea will soon turn into Hurricane Helene and make landfall on the US Gulf Coast. The system has been currently declared "Potential Tropical Storm Nine" by the National Hurricane Centre (NHC) Even though the system has not fully formed yet, the NHC has alerted that this storm is likely to make landfall as a major hurricane.

A major thunderstorm system which is strengthening in the western Caribbean Sea will soon turn into Hurricane Helene and make landfall on the US Gulf Coast. The system has been currently declared "Potential Tropical Storm Nine" by the National Hurricane Centre (NHC) Even though the system has not fully formed yet, the NHC has alerted that this storm is likely to make landfall as a major hurricane. Hurricane and tropical storm warnings have already been issued by Cuba and Mexico. The weather officers have placed parts of the Florida Keys along with Dry Tortugas region of Florida under a tropical storm watch. According to the forecast, the hurricane will hit Florida or the northern Gulf Coast later this week. Also Read: India weather: Yellow alert issued for Delhi, rainfall to continue; check IMD prediction here A state of emergency has been declared by Florida Governor Ron Desantis in 41 of the state's 67 counties, as per the press release. The Governor's office has also issued a warning of rainfall and potential winds which can lead to widespread power outages because of gusty winds and fallen trees. Where is the tropical storm currently? The authorities have issued tropical alerts in parts of the Yucatan Peninsula, the Greater Antilles, and Florida. As of now, tropical storms and hurricanes are expected in these areas in the next 36-48 hours. Watch: China’s weather extremes threaten the country with flooding and heat The system is currently in the far western Caribbean Sea and is likely to lead to heavy rains in parts of Central America, Mexico, Cuba, and Jamaica before turning into a tropical storm. There are chances that the storm's path may change course however the National Hurricane Centre said that currently, the storm is moving north towards the Gulf of Mexico's war waters. (With inputs from agencies)

US: Authorities declare a state of emergency as Hurricane Helene set to hit Florida

A landmark journey in private space exploration comes to an end with early splash down of Polaris dragon off the coast of Florida. Watch to know more.

SpaceX's Polaris dawn mission makes splashdown

An army of "invasive" green iguanas has attacked Florida, United States and turned into a big headache for the locals.

Thousands of these monstrous and cold-blooded lizards have entered the houses after relentless hunting for balmy&nbsp;weather across regions. The numbers of these lizards seem to be growing on a daily basis.

The reptilian invaders have also led to chaos in Palm Beach County and resulted in power cuts and damaged infrastructure costing a good sum.&nbsp;

The appearance of green iguanas is sudden as they emerge in swimming pools, gardens and the toilets of the houses, leaving residents shocked and stunned.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-identify-248-million-year-old-lizard-like-creature-that-survived-what-dinosaurs-couldnt-623945">Scientists identify 248 million-year-old lizard-like creature that survived what dinosaurs couldn't</a>

These notorious critters have been digging near water bodies because of erosion issues have emerged. The iguanas chewed the cables and led to 16 blackouts in West Palm Beach which plunged multiple homes into darkness, as reported by the Daily Star.

While speaking to ClickOrlando, biology expert Matthew Atkinson said, "Honestly as their population gets bigger and bigger in South Florida, they're like any other animal. They want to find habitats and resources that they can use to thrive. And so, as there's a ton more down there, they need to have somewhere else to go. So, they're just kind of moving up."

<h2>How iguanas can turn dangerous for people in Florida?</h2>

Wildlife experts have warned that iguanas are capable of spreading bugs like salmonella among the pets kept at home.&nbsp;

They can also give a nasty bite with their jaws and can seriously injure people. Once the temperatures drop at night, these reptiles become immobilised and fall from the trees at times. If they fall on people, it can seriously injure them.

Watch:&nbsp;Woman receives Lizard instead of Airfryer&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/woman-receives-lizard-instead-of-airfryer-trending-on-wion-744173/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Since the iguanas have been increasing in Florida, people have been advised to look upwards when walking in the night and also not rile them up when they spot them.

Speaking to the&nbsp;BBC, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Lisa Thompson said, "The FWC reminds the public that if they encounter a cold-stunned iguana, they should not bring it into their homes. Iguanas are wild animals and once they recover and warm up, they could act defensively."

(With inputs from agencies)

An army of "invasive" green iguanas has attacked Florida, United States and turned into a big headache for the locals. Thousands of these monstrous and cold-blooded lizards have entered the houses after relentless hunting for balmy weather across regions.

An army of "invasive" green iguanas has attacked Florida, United States and turned into a big headache for the locals. Thousands of these monstrous and cold-blooded lizards have entered the houses after relentless hunting for balmy weather across regions. The numbers of these lizards seem to be growing on a daily basis. The reptilian invaders have also led to chaos in Palm Beach County and resulted in power cuts and damaged infrastructure costing a good sum. The appearance of green iguanas is sudden as they emerge in swimming pools, gardens and the toilets of the houses, leaving residents shocked and stunned. Also Read: Scientists identify 248 million-year-old lizard-like creature that survived what dinosaurs couldn't These notorious critters have been digging near water bodies because of erosion issues have emerged. The iguanas chewed the cables and led to 16 blackouts in West Palm Beach which plunged multiple homes into darkness, as reported by the Daily Star. While speaking to ClickOrlando, biology expert Matthew Atkinson said, "Honestly as their population gets bigger and bigger in South Florida, they're like any other animal. They want to find habitats and resources that they can use to thrive. And so, as there's a ton more down there, they need to have somewhere else to go. So, they're just kind of moving up." How iguanas can turn dangerous for people in Florida? Wildlife experts have warned that iguanas are capable of spreading bugs like salmonella among the pets kept at home. They can also give a nasty bite with their jaws and can seriously injure people. Once the temperatures drop at night, these reptiles become immobilised and fall from the trees at times. If they fall on people, it can seriously injure them. Watch: Woman receives Lizard instead of Airfryer Since the iguanas have been increasing in Florida, people have been advised to look upwards when walking in the night and also not rile them up when they spot them. Speaking to the BBC, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Lisa Thompson said, "The FWC reminds the public that if they encounter a cold-stunned iguana, they should not bring it into their homes. Iguanas are wild animals and once they recover and warm up, they could act defensively." (With inputs from agencies)

Giant lizards 'are raining' in Florida! Green iguanas invade homes amid balmy weather

Hurricane Debby, which recently left behind a trail of deadly destruction in Southeast Florida, also brought with it more than 100 pounds (45.36 kg) of cocaine.

In two separate incidents, police have discovered massive amounts of narcotics along Florida's coast.&nbsp;

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On August 4, 25 packages of cocaine were found washed up on an Islamorada beach in the Florida Keys, about 80 miles (128.75 kilometres) from Key West. A Good Samaritan, who stumbled upon these packages, alerted authorities. The haul, weighing approximately 70 pounds (31.75 kilogrammes), is estimated to have a street value of over $1 million, as reported by the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in Miami.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwianY2Pxv6HAxVnUvUHHcVeCSkQxfQBKAB6BAgREAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hurricane-debby-kills-five-including-two-teenagers-moves-through-us-southeast-747791" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/world/hurricane-debby-kills-five-including-two-teenagers-moves-through-us-southeast-747791&amp;ved=2ahUKEwianY2Pxv6HAxVnUvUHHcVeCSkQxfQBKAB6BAgREAE">Tropical Storm Debby kills five including two teenagers, moves through US southeast</a>

Acting Chief Patrol Agent Samuel Briggs posted photos of the seized drugs on the social media platform X.

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Hurricane Debby blew 25 packages of cocaine (70 lbs.) onto a beach in the Florida Keys. Good Samaritan discovered the drugs &amp; contacted authorities. U.S. Border Patrol seized the drugs, which have a street value of over $1 million dollars.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Hurricane?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Hurricane</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Debby?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Debby</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Florida?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Florida</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/floridakeys?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#floridakeys</a> <a href="https://t.co/nsjKu6qm8V">pic.twitter.com/nsjKu6qm8V</a>
— Samuel Briggs II (@USBPChiefMIP) <a href="https://twitter.com/USBPChiefMIP/status/1820458017386647772?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 5, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Just a week later, another large batch of cocaine was discovered. On Monday (Aug&nbsp;12), the Collier County Sheriff's Office reported finding cocaine with a street value of $625,000 floating near Everglades City in the Gulf of Mexico.&nbsp;

Boaters came across 56 pounds (25.4 kg) of cocaine, packed in a container roughly the size of a microwave oven, floating in the mangroves off Panther Key.&nbsp;

On Facebook, in a post, the Sherrif's office's Sheriff Kevin Rambosk said, "We appreciate the help of Good Samaritans in our community who saw something unusual and contacted law enforcement."

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The package, covered in barnacles, had been adrift for some time. Collier County authorities remarked that such discoveries were "reminiscent of the 'square grouper' marijuana smuggling days in Collier County during the 1970s and 1980s, but uncommon for today."&nbsp;

The term "square grouper" refers to bales of marijuana wrapped in plastic, giving them a square appearance.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwianY2Pxv6HAxVnUvUHHcVeCSkQxfQBKAB6BAgLEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hurricane-debby-slams-into-florida-3000-national-guard-personnel-on-standby-747452" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/world/hurricane-debby-slams-into-florida-3000-national-guard-personnel-on-standby-747452&amp;ved=2ahUKEwianY2Pxv6HAxVnUvUHHcVeCSkQxfQBKAB6BAgLEAE">Hurricane Debby slams into Florida; 3,000 National Guard personnel on standby</a>

Currently, detectives in Collier County are investigating from&nbsp;where these drugs originated. They believe the cocaine "most likely washed in with the tides from the East Coast due to recent storms".&nbsp;

Townsend noted that drug smugglers often "intentionally drop" dump their cargo into the sea "at predetermined locations for later retrieval by other smugglers".

(With inputs from agencies)

Hurricane Debby, which recently left behind a trail of deadly destruction in Southeast Florida, also brought with it more than 100 pounds (45.36 kg) of cocaine. In two separate incidents, police have discovered massive amounts of narcotics along Florida's coast.

Hurricane Debby, which recently left behind a trail of deadly destruction in Southeast Florida, also brought with it more than 100 pounds (45.36 kg) of cocaine. In two separate incidents, police have discovered massive amounts of narcotics along Florida's coast. Cocaine stashes and storm Debby On August 4, 25 packages of cocaine were found washed up on an Islamorada beach in the Florida Keys, about 80 miles (128.75 kilometres) from Key West. A Good Samaritan, who stumbled upon these packages, alerted authorities. The haul, weighing approximately 70 pounds (31.75 kilogrammes), is estimated to have a street value of over $1 million, as reported by the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in Miami. Also read | Tropical Storm Debby kills five including two teenagers, moves through US southeast Acting Chief Patrol Agent Samuel Briggs posted photos of the seized drugs on the social media platform X. Hurricane Debby blew 25 packages of cocaine (70 lbs.) onto a beach in the Florida Keys. Good Samaritan discovered the drugs & contacted authorities. U.S. Border Patrol seized the drugs, which have a street value of over $1 million dollars.#Hurricane #Debby #Florida #floridakeys pic.twitter.com/nsjKu6qm8V — Samuel Briggs II (@USBPChiefMIP) August 5, 2024 × Just a week later, another large batch of cocaine was discovered. On Monday (Aug 12), the Collier County Sheriff's Office reported finding cocaine with a street value of $625,000 floating near Everglades City in the Gulf of Mexico. Boaters came across 56 pounds (25.4 kg) of cocaine, packed in a container roughly the size of a microwave oven, floating in the mangroves off Panther Key. On Facebook, in a post, the Sherrif's office's Sheriff Kevin Rambosk said, "We appreciate the help of Good Samaritans in our community who saw something unusual and contacted law enforcement." × The package, covered in barnacles, had been adrift for some time. Collier County authorities remarked that such discoveries were "reminiscent of the 'square grouper' marijuana smuggling days in Collier County during the 1970s and 1980s, but uncommon for today." The term "square grouper" refers to bales of marijuana wrapped in plastic, giving them a square appearance. Also read | Hurricane Debby slams into Florida; 3,000 National Guard personnel on standby Currently, detectives in Collier County are investigating from where these drugs originated. They believe the cocaine "most likely washed in with the tides from the East Coast due to recent storms". Townsend noted that drug smugglers often "intentionally drop" dump their cargo into the sea "at predetermined locations for later retrieval by other smugglers". (With inputs from agencies)

Hurricane Debby's dark secret: Storm floats cocaine stash worth over $1.6mn to Florida beaches

Disney claims that the man who subscribed to Disney+ can't sue them for the wrongful death of his wife as he agreed to the terms and conditions when he signed up for his account several years ago.

Jeffrey Piccolo filed a lawsuit against Disney Parks and Resorts in February after his wife, Kanokporn Tangsuan, died the previous year. He has claimed she had an allergic reaction after she consumed food at a restaurant in Disney Springs at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, United States.&nbsp;

In his complaint, Piccolo said that his wife and mother went to dine at the Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant at the resort in Orlando on October 5, last year. While ordering food, she asked the staff several times if the food contained any ingredients, to which she was allergic.&nbsp;

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Tangsuan was extremely allergic to dairy and nuts. Even though the staff member assured the food would be "allergen-free", she suffered a severe allergic reaction which claimed her life the next day.

The autopsy revealed that her death was caused by anaphylaxis due to high levels of nuts and dairy in her body which led to an acute reaction.

In his lawsuit, Piccolo demanded damages over $50,000 and argued that it was a case of negligence by the waiter.

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However, Disney argued that the case should be dismissed&nbsp;and settled outside the court as Piccolo had subscribed for a one-month trial of Disney+ in 2019 and 2023, in which he agreed to the company's terms. The terms state that any disputes between the users and the company should be settled outside of court via arbitration.

“When you create a Disney+ or ESPN+ account, you also agree to the Walt Disney Company's Terms of Use, which govern your use of other Disney Services. The services include sites, software, applications, content, products and services, which include the Disney Parks and Resorts website," it said.

Disney argued that the terms include "all disputes" including the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, against which the lawsuit has been filed.

(With inputs from agencies)

Disney claims that the man who subscribed to Disney+ can't sue them for the wrongful death of his wife as he agreed to the terms and conditions when he signed up for his account several years ago.

Disney claims that the man who subscribed to Disney+ can't sue them for the wrongful death of his wife as he agreed to the terms and conditions when he signed up for his account several years ago. Jeffrey Piccolo filed a lawsuit against Disney Parks and Resorts in February after his wife, Kanokporn Tangsuan, died the previous year. He has claimed she had an allergic reaction after she consumed food at a restaurant in Disney Springs at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, United States. In his complaint, Piccolo said that his wife and mother went to dine at the Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant at the resort in Orlando on October 5, last year. While ordering food, she asked the staff several times if the food contained any ingredients, to which she was allergic. Also read | Ex-Google CEO blames 'work from home' for company losing in AI race. Netizens school him Tangsuan was extremely allergic to dairy and nuts. Even though the staff member assured the food would be "allergen-free", she suffered a severe allergic reaction which claimed her life the next day. The autopsy revealed that her death was caused by anaphylaxis due to high levels of nuts and dairy in her body which led to an acute reaction. In his lawsuit, Piccolo demanded damages over $50,000 and argued that it was a case of negligence by the waiter. Also read | Musk sacked Twitter employee for failing to click 'yes', now gives him a payout of... However, Disney argued that the case should be dismissed and settled outside the court as Piccolo had subscribed for a one-month trial of Disney+ in 2019 and 2023, in which he agreed to the company's terms. The terms state that any disputes between the users and the company should be settled outside of court via arbitration. “When you create a Disney+ or ESPN+ account, you also agree to the Walt Disney Company's Terms of Use, which govern your use of other Disney Services. The services include sites, software, applications, content, products and services, which include the Disney Parks and Resorts website," it said. Disney argued that the terms include "all disputes" including the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, against which the lawsuit has been filed. (With inputs from agencies)

One month Disney+ subscription worth a life? Disney dismisses wrongful death lawsuit

Suzanne Flament-Smith made an unexpected discovery while picking up trash along Bayshore Boulevard this week. Amidst the storm debris littering the shoreline of Safety Harbor, a city on Tampa Bay’s western shore, Flament-Smith&nbsp;found a glass bottle containing a mysterious note.

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Flament-Smith, who regularly carries a trash bag and gloves in her car for clean-up efforts, was particularly struck by the large amount of plastic waste left by a recent storm. "The amount of plastic was overwhelming," she told CBS News affiliate WTSP. "It was driving me crazy."

Determined to tackle the mess, she began collecting trash and, during her efforts, came across the intriguing bottle. “As I was filling my third bag, I noticed a glass bottle with writing visible through the glass. It looked like a message in a bottle,” she recounted.

<h2>Hidden WWII message found in glass bottle&nbsp;</h2>

Flament-Smith posted about her discovery on Facebook, showcasing a note written in cursive on a weathered piece of paper with many of the words faded. She captioned the post, "Thank you Aaron &amp; Alessandra in FL, and Alyssa in VA, for covering this story and helping find the bottle its home!"

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After carefully bringing the bottle home, Flament-Smith and her family opened it to reveal its contents: a collection of shells, a bullet casing, a small cannonball, sand and most notably, an old, faded note written in cursive. The message inside remains partially legible but adds to the bottle’s mystique.

Flament-Smith’s find serves as a poignant reminder of the stories and surprises that can emerge from even the most routine tasks.

Among the partially legible messages was a date: 3/4/45, next to a U.S. Navy letterhead from the Amphibious Training Base in Little Creek, Virginia. The letter appeared to be from a Navy serviceman during World War II to a friend, mentioning a future radio school and plans to meet.

Navy public affairs officer April Phillips is investigating the letter's authenticity, intrigued by its historical significance.

(With inputs from agencies)

Suzanne Flament-Smith made an unexpected discovery while picking up trash along Bayshore Boulevard this week. Amidst the storm debris littering the shoreline of Safety Harbor, a city on Tampa Bay’s western shore, Flament-Smith found a glass bottle containing a mysterious note.

Suzanne Flament-Smith made an unexpected discovery while picking up trash along Bayshore Boulevard this week. Amidst the storm debris littering the shoreline of Safety Harbor, a city on Tampa Bay’s western shore, Flament-Smith found a glass bottle containing a mysterious note. Also read |Shared intel to prevent attack at Taylor Swift's Vienna concert: US Flament-Smith, who regularly carries a trash bag and gloves in her car for clean-up efforts, was particularly struck by the large amount of plastic waste left by a recent storm. "The amount of plastic was overwhelming," she told CBS News affiliate WTSP. "It was driving me crazy." Determined to tackle the mess, she began collecting trash and, during her efforts, came across the intriguing bottle. “As I was filling my third bag, I noticed a glass bottle with writing visible through the glass. It looked like a message in a bottle,” she recounted. Hidden WWII message found in glass bottle Flament-Smith posted about her discovery on Facebook, showcasing a note written in cursive on a weathered piece of paper with many of the words faded. She captioned the post, "Thank you Aaron & Alessandra in FL, and Alyssa in VA, for covering this story and helping find the bottle its home!" Also read | How to manage asthma and win like Olympian Noah Lyles? Exclusive expert tips After carefully bringing the bottle home, Flament-Smith and her family opened it to reveal its contents: a collection of shells, a bullet casing, a small cannonball, sand and most notably, an old, faded note written in cursive. The message inside remains partially legible but adds to the bottle’s mystique. Flament-Smith’s find serves as a poignant reminder of the stories and surprises that can emerge from even the most routine tasks. Among the partially legible messages was a date: 3/4/45, next to a U.S. Navy letterhead from the Amphibious Training Base in Little Creek, Virginia. The letter appeared to be from a Navy serviceman during World War II to a friend, mentioning a future radio school and plans to meet. Navy public affairs officer April Phillips is investigating the letter's authenticity, intrigued by its historical significance. (With inputs from agencies)

Hidden WWII message found in glass bottle while cleaning Hurricane Debby debris in Florida

Debby weakened quickly into a tropical storm, about 4 hours after making landfall near Steinhatchee, Florida, in the Big Bend area on Monday. Watch in for more details!

Storm Debby weakens, slows down after Florida landfall

Tropical Storm Debby, which has triggered flash flood warnings in the US states of South Carolina and Georgia, left five dead in the southeastern United States on Tuesday (August 6).

Among those killed was a 13-year-old boy who died when the winds from the storm blew a tree into his family's mobile home. As per the sheriff's office, this tragedy took place in Levy County after Debby made landfall on Florida's Gulf Coast as a Category One hurricane

<h2 bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:8,&quot;y&quot;:135,&quot;w&quot;:723,&quot;h&quot;:26,&quot;abs_x&quot;:41,&quot;abs_y&quot;:1821}">Casualties</h2>

Other casualties of Tropical Storm Debby include a 12-year-old boy and a 38-year-old woman who were killed in a car crash. A truck driver was killed in Hillsborough County after his 18-wheeler plunged into a canal.

Also read |&nbsp;<a bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:88,&quot;y&quot;:229,&quot;w&quot;:570,&quot;h&quot;:16,&quot;abs_x&quot;:121,&quot;abs_y&quot;:1915}" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hurricane-debby-slams-into-florida-3000-national-guard-personnel-on-standby-747452">Hurricane Debby slams into Florida; 3,000 National Guard personnel on standby</a>

As the storm moved northward from Florida and into Georgia, a 19-year-old was killed when a tree fell into the side of their house, said the Colquitt County coroner's office.

<h2 bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:8,&quot;y&quot;:315,&quot;w&quot;:723,&quot;h&quot;:26,&quot;abs_x&quot;:41,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2001}">Potentially historic rainfall expected&nbsp;</h2>

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) early&nbsp;Tuesday once again warned of "potentially historic heavy rainfall" and "catastrophic flooding" in parts of southeast Georgia and eastern South Carolina.

Overnight, tornadoes were reported in South Carolina.

Given the widespread destruction expected due to the tropical storm, US President Joe Biden as per AFP has approved emergency declarations for Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina — paving the way for federal assistance in coordinating disaster relief efforts.

Yesterday, mandatory evacuations were ordered for part of Citrus County, Florida as authorities predicted multiple days of possibly record-breaking rainfall and likely flash flooding.

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Eight other counties were under voluntary evacuation orders, reported local media. Meanwhile, a state of emergency had been declared in Georgia and South Carolina by the states' governors.

In Florida, the Florida National Guard has been activated by Governor Ron DeSantis, with 3,000 service members put on standby for storm response.

<h2 bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:8,&quot;y&quot;:661,&quot;w&quot;:723,&quot;h&quot;:26,&quot;abs_x&quot;:41,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2347}">Category 1 hurricane</h2>

Fuelled by an unusually warm Gulf of Mexico, as per reports, Debby barrelled ashore on Monday, in Florida's Big Bend region as a Category One hurricane — the lowest on a five-stage scale.

The storm continues to weaken. Its maximum sustained winds, which were 80 mph (around 130 km/h) at landfall, on Tuesday morning decreased to 45 mph (72.42 km/h), down from 75 mph (over 120 km/h) reported on Monday afternoon.

Even weakened, storm Debby forced Vice President Kamala Harris, the presumptive presidential candidate for the Democratic Party — to postpone campaign events in North Carolina and Georgia this week.

(With inputs from agencies)

Tropical Storm Debby, which has triggered flash flood warnings in the US states of South Carolina and Georgia, left five dead in the southeastern United States on Tuesday (August 6).

Tropical Storm Debby, which has triggered flash flood warnings in the US states of South Carolina and Georgia, left five dead in the southeastern United States on Tuesday (August 6). Among those killed was a 13-year-old boy who died when the winds from the storm blew a tree into his family's mobile home. As per the sheriff's office, this tragedy took place in Levy County after Debby made landfall on Florida's Gulf Coast as a Category One hurricane Casualties Other casualties of Tropical Storm Debby include a 12-year-old boy and a 38-year-old woman who were killed in a car crash. A truck driver was killed in Hillsborough County after his 18-wheeler plunged into a canal. Also read | Hurricane Debby slams into Florida; 3,000 National Guard personnel on standby As the storm moved northward from Florida and into Georgia, a 19-year-old was killed when a tree fell into the side of their house, said the Colquitt County coroner's office. Potentially historic rainfall expected The National Hurricane Center (NHC) early Tuesday once again warned of "potentially historic heavy rainfall" and "catastrophic flooding" in parts of southeast Georgia and eastern South Carolina. Overnight, tornadoes were reported in South Carolina. Given the widespread destruction expected due to the tropical storm, US President Joe Biden as per AFP has approved emergency declarations for Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina — paving the way for federal assistance in coordinating disaster relief efforts. Yesterday, mandatory evacuations were ordered for part of Citrus County, Florida as authorities predicted multiple days of possibly record-breaking rainfall and likely flash flooding. Also read | Hurricane Debby blows 25 packets of cocaine onto Florida beach Eight other counties were under voluntary evacuation orders, reported local media. Meanwhile, a state of emergency had been declared in Georgia and South Carolina by the states' governors. In Florida, the Florida National Guard has been activated by Governor Ron DeSantis, with 3,000 service members put on standby for storm response. Category 1 hurricane Fuelled by an unusually warm Gulf of Mexico, as per reports, Debby barrelled ashore on Monday, in Florida's Big Bend region as a Category One hurricane — the lowest on a five-stage scale. The storm continues to weaken. Its maximum sustained winds, which were 80 mph (around 130 km/h) at landfall, on Tuesday morning decreased to 45 mph (72.42 km/h), down from 75 mph (over 120 km/h) reported on Monday afternoon. Even weakened, storm Debby forced Vice President Kamala Harris, the presumptive presidential candidate for the Democratic Party — to postpone campaign events in North Carolina and Georgia this week. (With inputs from agencies)

Tropical Storm Debby kills five including two teenagers, moves through US southeast

Following the landfall on Monday as category 1 hurricane, Debby has now weakened into a tropical storm according to national hurricane center. Heavy rains continued in the town of Steinhatchee at Florida's gulf coast, hours after Debby's landfall.

Debby makes landfall on Florida's gulf coast

Tropical Storm Debby is expected to strengthen rapidly into a hurricane before making landfall in the Big Bend region of Florida's Gulf Coast by midday on Monday, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said on Sunday, warning of life-threatening storm surges.

Tropical storm Debby expected to make a landfall in Florida | Evacuation ordered

Hurricane Debby on Monday (August 5) made landfall on Florida's Gulf Coast, knocking out the power supply for hundreds of thousands of people. This comes as the US southeast braces for historic levels of rain and major flooding.

<h2 bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:8,&quot;y&quot;:85,&quot;w&quot;:723,&quot;h&quot;:26,&quot;abs_x&quot;:41,&quot;abs_y&quot;:1771}">Category one hurricane in Florida</h2>

Fuelled by an unusually warm Gulf of Mexico, as per reports, Debby barrelled ashore in Florida's Big Bend region as a Category One hurricane — the lowest on a five-stage scale.

According to tracker poweroutage.us, already over 300,000 customers in the region have lost electricity.

Talking to reporters on Monday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said, "We have seen significant storm surge, we have seen inundation, we have seen and we'll continue to see flooding in various parts of the state of Florida."

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He also warned about the risk of "significant flooding events" in the coming days.

"We have a lot of restoration personnel ready to go to get it back on," said DeSantis.

Additionally, the Florida National Guard has been activated by DeSantis, and 3,000 service members have been put on standby for storm response.

<h2 bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:8,&quot;y&quot;:429,&quot;w&quot;:723,&quot;h&quot;:26,&quot;abs_x&quot;:41,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2115}">Life-threatening storm surges</h2>

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has launched a warning against life-threatening storm surges along the Gulf Coast. Expected inundation levels may range from six to ten feet (1.8 to 3 metres) above ground.&nbsp;

NHC warned that Hurricane Debby might cause catastrophic flooding with "potentially historic heavy rainfall" as, over the next few days, the storm moves northeast across Georgia and South Carolina.

Meanwhile, the storm is weakening. Its maximum sustained winds, which were 80 mph (around 130 km/h) at landfall, have decreased to 75 mph (over 120 km/h).

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The storm is expected to dump about six to 12 inches (30.48 centimetres) of rain in parts of the US state. Meanwhile, in coastal Georgia and South Carolina, the NHC said that Debby can dump as much as 20 (50.8 centimetres) to 30 inches (76.2 cm) of rainwater.

Mandatory evacuations have been ordered for part of Citrus County, Florida as authorities predicted multiple days of possibly record-breaking rainfall and likely flash flooding.

Eight other counties are under voluntary evacuation orders, reported local media. Meanwhile, state of emergency has been declared in Georgia and South Carolina by the states' Governors.

(With inputs from agencies)

Hurricane Debby on Monday (August 5) made landfall on Florida's Gulf Coast, knocking out the power supply for hundreds of thousands of people. This comes as the US southeast braces for historic levels of rain and major flooding.

Hurricane Debby on Monday (August 5) made landfall on Florida's Gulf Coast, knocking out the power supply for hundreds of thousands of people. This comes as the US southeast braces for historic levels of rain and major flooding. Category one hurricane in Florida Fuelled by an unusually warm Gulf of Mexico, as per reports, Debby barrelled ashore in Florida's Big Bend region as a Category One hurricane — the lowest on a five-stage scale. According to tracker poweroutage.us, already over 300,000 customers in the region have lost electricity. Talking to reporters on Monday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said, "We have seen significant storm surge, we have seen inundation, we have seen and we'll continue to see flooding in various parts of the state of Florida." Also read | Debby becomes hurricane, threatens Florida, other parts of US southeast He also warned about the risk of "significant flooding events" in the coming days. "We have a lot of restoration personnel ready to go to get it back on," said DeSantis. Additionally, the Florida National Guard has been activated by DeSantis, and 3,000 service members have been put on standby for storm response. Life-threatening storm surges The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has launched a warning against life-threatening storm surges along the Gulf Coast. Expected inundation levels may range from six to ten feet (1.8 to 3 metres) above ground. NHC warned that Hurricane Debby might cause catastrophic flooding with "potentially historic heavy rainfall" as, over the next few days, the storm moves northeast across Georgia and South Carolina. Meanwhile, the storm is weakening. Its maximum sustained winds, which were 80 mph (around 130 km/h) at landfall, have decreased to 75 mph (over 120 km/h). Also read | Iran issues NOTAM restrictions as global community awaits possible attack on Israel The storm is expected to dump about six to 12 inches (30.48 centimetres) of rain in parts of the US state. Meanwhile, in coastal Georgia and South Carolina, the NHC said that Debby can dump as much as 20 (50.8 centimetres) to 30 inches (76.2 cm) of rainwater. Mandatory evacuations have been ordered for part of Citrus County, Florida as authorities predicted multiple days of possibly record-breaking rainfall and likely flash flooding. Eight other counties are under voluntary evacuation orders, reported local media. Meanwhile, state of emergency has been declared in Georgia and South Carolina by the states' Governors. (With inputs from agencies)

Hurricane Debby slams into Florida; 3,000 National Guard personnel on standby

US: Storm Debby to make landfall in Florida

Tropical storm Debby formed late Saturday (Aug 3) and was expected to surge up into a hurricane before it slams into Florida’s northern Gulf Coast shoreline on Monday, the National Hurricane Center said.

The storm turned into a tropical storm after days of spinning as a broad, sloppy system in the Atlantic, finally shoving off Cuba’s northern coast on Saturday evening, when it was about 100 miles west-southwest of Key West, Florida, forecasters said.

“It’s become clearer and clearer that Debby will become a hurricane before it makes landfall,” said Jamie Rhome, the deputy director of the NHC, urging people to heed evacuation orders.

The storm was crawling at 14 mph (23 kph) into the Gulf Coast about 240 miles (386 km) south of Tampa, where its winds were expected to grow from 40 mph up to 70 mph or more as it gains strength overnight.

“This is a life threatening situation,” the NHC said in a late Saturday report.

Debby was already whipping up rain squalls, winds of 40 mph and surging tides in Key West, Florida on Saturday night.

“There are a host of hazards, not just the wind,” Rhome said.

He warned of storm surges up to 7 feet (2 m) along Florida’s Big Bend area where it is expected to hit just southeast of Florida’s Panhandle.

“Now, I stand at six feet tall,” Rhome said. “So that’s over my head,” he said.

He added that heavy rains of 10 inches (25 cm) with spots of 15 inches of rain could be expected, more if the storm slows down or stalls over land.

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<iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/climate-change-removed-from-florida-laws-722428/embed" width="560"></iframe>

Debby is expected to cut across Central Florida out to the Atlantic coast and crawl up to Savannah, Georgia, and then toward Charleston, South Carolina.

Ocean surges are forecast for Bonita Beach northward to Tampa Bay. Those surges could send sea waves further inland than normal, damaging structures and endangering anyone in their path.

A tropical storm warning is in effect for extreme southern Florida and stretching as far north as the Fort Myers area, which was crushed by Hurricane Ian in 2022.

Governor Ron DeSantis has called up 3,000 National Guardsmen and put most of the state’s cities and counties under emergency orders ahead of the expected landfall.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-90-chance-of-tropical-storm-hitting-florida-governor-desantis-declares-state-of-emergency-746809">Also read |&nbsp;US: 90% chance of tropical storm hitting Florida; Governor DeSantis declares state of emergency</a>

US forecasters expect a large number of Atlantic hurricanes to form in the 2024 season, which began June 1, with four to seven major hurricanes forming out of 25 named storms. That is more than the record-breaking 2005 season that spawned hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Only one hurricane, Beryl, has formed in the Atlantic so far this year. The earliest Category 5 storm on record, it ravaged the Caribbean and Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula before rolling up the Gulf Coast of Texas as a Category 1 storm, with winds up to 95 mph.

Debby is expected to follow a similar track as the deadly 2022 Hurricane Ian, which killed at least 103 people in Florida and caused billions of dollars in damage as it made its way along the Gulf Coast.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Tropical storm Debby formed late Saturday (Aug 3) and was expected to surge up into a hurricane before it slams into Florida’s northern Gulf Coast shoreline on Monday, the National Hurricane Center said.

Tropical storm Debby formed late Saturday (Aug 3) and was expected to surge up into a hurricane before it slams into Florida’s northern Gulf Coast shoreline on Monday, the National Hurricane Center said. The storm turned into a tropical storm after days of spinning as a broad, sloppy system in the Atlantic, finally shoving off Cuba’s northern coast on Saturday evening, when it was about 100 miles west-southwest of Key West, Florida, forecasters said. “It’s become clearer and clearer that Debby will become a hurricane before it makes landfall,” said Jamie Rhome, the deputy director of the NHC, urging people to heed evacuation orders. The storm was crawling at 14 mph (23 kph) into the Gulf Coast about 240 miles (386 km) south of Tampa, where its winds were expected to grow from 40 mph up to 70 mph or more as it gains strength overnight. “This is a life threatening situation,” the NHC said in a late Saturday report. Debby was already whipping up rain squalls, winds of 40 mph and surging tides in Key West, Florida on Saturday night. “There are a host of hazards, not just the wind,” Rhome said. He warned of storm surges up to 7 feet (2 m) along Florida’s Big Bend area where it is expected to hit just southeast of Florida’s Panhandle. “Now, I stand at six feet tall,” Rhome said. “So that’s over my head,” he said. He added that heavy rains of 10 inches (25 cm) with spots of 15 inches of rain could be expected, more if the storm slows down or stalls over land. Watch | Climate change removed from Florida laws Debby is expected to cut across Central Florida out to the Atlantic coast and crawl up to Savannah, Georgia, and then toward Charleston, South Carolina. Ocean surges are forecast for Bonita Beach northward to Tampa Bay. Those surges could send sea waves further inland than normal, damaging structures and endangering anyone in their path. A tropical storm warning is in effect for extreme southern Florida and stretching as far north as the Fort Myers area, which was crushed by Hurricane Ian in 2022. Governor Ron DeSantis has called up 3,000 National Guardsmen and put most of the state’s cities and counties under emergency orders ahead of the expected landfall. Also read | US: 90% chance of tropical storm hitting Florida; Governor DeSantis declares state of emergency US forecasters expect a large number of Atlantic hurricanes to form in the 2024 season, which began June 1, with four to seven major hurricanes forming out of 25 named storms. That is more than the record-breaking 2005 season that spawned hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Only one hurricane, Beryl, has formed in the Atlantic so far this year. The earliest Category 5 storm on record, it ravaged the Caribbean and Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula before rolling up the Gulf Coast of Texas as a Category 1 storm, with winds up to 95 mph. Debby is expected to follow a similar track as the deadly 2022 Hurricane Ian, which killed at least 103 people in Florida and caused billions of dollars in damage as it made its way along the Gulf Coast. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Tropical storm Debby to turn into hurricane; Expected to hit Florida's shoreline by Monday

A state of emergency has been issued in the US state of Florida as there is a 90 per cent chance that a tropical disturbance near Cuba might turn into a tropical depression or tropical storm at the weekend.&nbsp;

Experts say if the disturbance turns into a storm, it would be called Debby. Irrespective of how big the storm becomes, Florida is expected to receive six to eight inches of rain, at least on its west coast, as well as the Georgia and South Carolina coast, the Met department said.&nbsp;

On Friday (Aug 2), Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency in 54 counties by issuing Executive Order 24-156.&nbsp;

"As of 11 am&nbsp;ET on August 2, Potential Tropical Cyclone Four is over Cuba and is expected to strengthen into a tropical storm in the coming days," read the warning.&nbsp;

"Floridians are encouraged to monitor weather conditions, listen to all orders from local officials, create disaster preparedness plans, and stock disaster supply kits with food, water, and other necessities for their households," it added.

The Florida National Guard has put approximately 3,000 service members on standby for immediate response if the storm hits the region. Meanwhile, Florida State Guard (FSG) has activated:&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>70 FSG members to support response and recovery operations</li>
	<li>Nine&nbsp;shallow water vessels staged for deployment</li>
	<li>10 Utility Terrain Vehicles&nbsp;(UTV) staged for deployment</li>
	<li>Two amphibious rescue vehicles staged for deployment</li>
	<li>Seven search and rescue crews prepared to deployed from Camp Blanding</li>
</ul>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/climate-change-removed-from-florida-laws-722428">Watch |&nbsp;Climate change removed from Florida laws</a>

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<h2>What is the path of the storm?</h2>

Current predictions suggest that the system would become a tropical depressing by Saturday morning and move across Cuba to reach South Florida.&nbsp;

The outer bands will bring scattered thunderstorms, heavy downpour and gusty winds. The storm will continue to&nbsp;strengthen and close in on the west coast of the Florida peninsula. It is expected to make landfall on Sunday&nbsp;with flash flooding anticipated.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-florida-braces-for-new-storm-as-tropical-wave-brews-in-the-central-atlantic-745694">Also read |&nbsp;US: Florida braces for new storm as tropical wave brews in the central Atlantic</a>

By Monday morning, the storm will move to the Atlantic Ocean - bringing rain and wind to Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. However, this forecast might change, depending on a host of other weather conditions.&nbsp;

The National Oceanic and Atmosphetric Administration had predicted an above-average hurricane season this year in the region.&nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

A state of emergency has been issued in the US state of Florida as there is a 90 per cent chance that a tropical disturbance near Cuba might turn into a tropical depression or tropical storm at the weekend.

A state of emergency has been issued in the US state of Florida as there is a 90 per cent chance that a tropical disturbance near Cuba might turn into a tropical depression or tropical storm at the weekend. Experts say if the disturbance turns into a storm, it would be called Debby. Irrespective of how big the storm becomes, Florida is expected to receive six to eight inches of rain, at least on its west coast, as well as the Georgia and South Carolina coast, the Met department said. On Friday (Aug 2), Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency in 54 counties by issuing Executive Order 24-156. "As of 11 am ET on August 2, Potential Tropical Cyclone Four is over Cuba and is expected to strengthen into a tropical storm in the coming days," read the warning. "Floridians are encouraged to monitor weather conditions, listen to all orders from local officials, create disaster preparedness plans, and stock disaster supply kits with food, water, and other necessities for their households," it added. The Florida National Guard has put approximately 3,000 service members on standby for immediate response if the storm hits the region. Meanwhile, Florida State Guard (FSG) has activated: 70 FSG members to support response and recovery operations Nine shallow water vessels staged for deployment 10 Utility Terrain Vehicles (UTV) staged for deployment Two amphibious rescue vehicles staged for deployment Seven search and rescue crews prepared to deployed from Camp Blanding Watch | Climate change removed from Florida laws × What is the path of the storm? Current predictions suggest that the system would become a tropical depressing by Saturday morning and move across Cuba to reach South Florida. The outer bands will bring scattered thunderstorms, heavy downpour and gusty winds. The storm will continue to strengthen and close in on the west coast of the Florida peninsula. It is expected to make landfall on Sunday with flash flooding anticipated. Also read | US: Florida braces for new storm as tropical wave brews in the central Atlantic By Monday morning, the storm will move to the Atlantic Ocean - bringing rain and wind to Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. However, this forecast might change, depending on a host of other weather conditions. The National Oceanic and Atmosphetric Administration had predicted an above-average hurricane season this year in the region. (With inputs from agencies)

US: 90% chance of tropical storm hitting Florida; Governor DeSantis declares state of emergency

Police in the US state of Florida have urged people to stop taking selfies with a "depressed bear" that was spotted on a roadside. In a post on X, the Walton County Sheriff's office said on Thursday (July 18) that the black bear took up residence on the north side of Highway 98 in Santa Rosa Beach earlier this week.

Police in the US state of Florida have urged people to stop taking selfies with a "depressed bear" that was spotted on a roadside. In a post on X, the Walton County Sheriff's office said on Thursday (July 18) that the black bear took up residence on the north side of Highway 98 in Santa Rosa Beach earlier this week. The sheriff's office said that the animal was getting unwanted attention from passing motorists. The office said that onlookers were "trying to take selfies with the bear and he’s clearly not in the mood for pictures." 'Stressed, depressed, lemon zest' The office described the bear as “stressed, depressed, lemon zest.” It urged people not to approach a black bear at any time especially those who showed aggression. Also read | No country for bears? Romania's parliament approves stepping up bear culling Black bears are a common sight in many areas of Florida, especially in the spring and summer. Famous last words, “If not friend, why friend shaped?” Because this black bear is stressed depressed lemon zest. Walton County Sheriff’s Office deputies are monitoring a bear on the north side of Highway 98 near County Road 83 in Santa Rosa Beach. Onlookers were trying to… pic.twitter.com/boRdiLucZG — Walton Co. Sheriff (@WCSOFL) July 18, 2024 × A report by The Guardian on Friday said that rangers from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) were dispatched to investigate after the sheriff's office reported crowds of onlookers stopping to take photos of the bear. Bear walks off into adjacent woods The FWC said that by the time its officers arrived, the bear dispersed and walked off into the adjacent woods. The FWC added that the animal did not appear to be injured, and it may have just been overheated and was resting before moving on. The commission estimates 4,050 black bears living in the wild in Florida. In June, Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law a controversial bill that allowed people to shoot and kill bears for a perceived threat to “a person, pet or dwelling.” (With inputs from agencies)

Police in Florida urge people to stop taking selfies with 'depressed bear'

A tattered 'ghost ship' appeared on Pensacola Beach in&nbsp;Florida last month and left the nearby residents puzzled.&nbsp;

The 45-foot shipwreck washed up on shore on June 18 in an extremely unusual turn of events.

The boat appeared mysterious and was first spotted by 46-year-old Francine Farrar. It was then found out that the boat's name was Lady Catherine III and it was owned by 39-year-old Michael Barlow.&nbsp;

Barlow had spent a major share of his life savings to buy the vessel, which was now destroyed and tattered.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/deadly-rampage-man-kills-3-including-his-mother-in-violent-florida-shooting-spree-735117">Deadly rampage: Man kills 3, including his mother, in violent Florida shooting spree</a>

The $80,000 sailboat had sunk while he was trying to 'explore the world'. The owner, who survived a daring rescue operation, was forced to abandon the ship and enlist in the Coast Guard.&nbsp;

Eventually, broken and ruined &nbsp;Lady Catherine made a sudden appearance on the sandy shores of the Florida panhandle.&nbsp;

<h2>Story of the 'ghost ship'&nbsp;</h2>

The owner of the ghost ship, Barlow had a dream of living a freer and fulfilling life with his wife and&nbsp;9-year-old son.

"We were just going to explore the world. We’re normal people. We have normal finances, very, very basic. And this is the only way I could take my son and show him there’s a whole world out there, beyond what’s in America," said Barlow, while speaking to NBC 6 South Florida.

More than a month ago, Barlow and his friend started an 884-mile journey from Fort Pierce, Florida, back to Texas.&nbsp;

He had decided to close his excavation business and sold his worldly possessions to fund his new lifestyle.

The owner spent days studying the weather patterns before leaving, reported&nbsp;WEAR News, and concluded that "the forecast was beautiful."&nbsp;

"We had 15 to 20 knots on our backs all the way home to Texas," said Barlow.

Watch:&nbsp;Flood in Florida: 'The beginning of a zombie movie', says residents

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However, there were drastic changes in the sailing conditions just a week into the maiden voyage of Barlow with Lady Catherine.&nbsp;

"The seas started building, wind hit us and it was 30 to 40 knots. It pretty much stayed that way for the next two days," said Barlow.&nbsp;

During the sail, waves erupted in a series of storms and crashed against the ship and high winds ripped it.&nbsp;

"When it started getting crazy, I knew the boat could handle it and we just sent it," he said.

Barlow battled for three days as the weather slowly damaged his ship. With the help of a Garmin tracker, he was in touch with his family.

"The autopilot broke in the first storm, so we had been hand steering for three days. [My friend] had all the symptoms of hypothermia and he went down below and passed out. He was unconscious throughout all of this," he said.

He decided to hit the SOS button on his Garmin and was able to contact the Coast Guard in New Orleans. After which he was rescued, but had to abandon the ship.

(With inputs from agencies)

A tattered 'ghost ship' appeared on Pensacola Beach in Florida last month and left the nearby residents puzzled. The 45-foot shipwreck washed up on shore on June 18 in an extremely unusual turn of events.

A tattered 'ghost ship' appeared on Pensacola Beach in Florida last month and left the nearby residents puzzled. The 45-foot shipwreck washed up on shore on June 18 in an extremely unusual turn of events. The boat appeared mysterious and was first spotted by 46-year-old Francine Farrar. It was then found out that the boat's name was Lady Catherine III and it was owned by 39-year-old Michael Barlow. Barlow had spent a major share of his life savings to buy the vessel, which was now destroyed and tattered. Also Read: Deadly rampage: Man kills 3, including his mother, in violent Florida shooting spree The $80,000 sailboat had sunk while he was trying to 'explore the world'. The owner, who survived a daring rescue operation, was forced to abandon the ship and enlist in the Coast Guard. Eventually, broken and ruined Lady Catherine made a sudden appearance on the sandy shores of the Florida panhandle. Story of the 'ghost ship' The owner of the ghost ship, Barlow had a dream of living a freer and fulfilling life with his wife and 9-year-old son. "We were just going to explore the world. We’re normal people. We have normal finances, very, very basic. And this is the only way I could take my son and show him there’s a whole world out there, beyond what’s in America," said Barlow, while speaking to NBC 6 South Florida. More than a month ago, Barlow and his friend started an 884-mile journey from Fort Pierce, Florida, back to Texas. He had decided to close his excavation business and sold his worldly possessions to fund his new lifestyle. The owner spent days studying the weather patterns before leaving, reported WEAR News, and concluded that "the forecast was beautiful." "We had 15 to 20 knots on our backs all the way home to Texas," said Barlow. Watch: Flood in Florida: 'The beginning of a zombie movie', says residents However, there were drastic changes in the sailing conditions just a week into the maiden voyage of Barlow with Lady Catherine. "The seas started building, wind hit us and it was 30 to 40 knots. It pretty much stayed that way for the next two days," said Barlow. During the sail, waves erupted in a series of storms and crashed against the ship and high winds ripped it. "When it started getting crazy, I knew the boat could handle it and we just sent it," he said. Barlow battled for three days as the weather slowly damaged his ship. With the help of a Garmin tracker, he was in touch with his family. "The autopilot broke in the first storm, so we had been hand steering for three days. [My friend] had all the symptoms of hypothermia and he went down below and passed out. He was unconscious throughout all of this," he said. He decided to hit the SOS button on his Garmin and was able to contact the Coast Guard in New Orleans. After which he was rescued, but had to abandon the ship. (With inputs from agencies)

Mysterious 'ghost ship' washes up on Florida beach, after getting abandoned more than a month ago

Newly released images taken by the FBI during its search of former United States President Donald Trump’s resort in the US state of Florida, Mar-a-Lago, shows the haphazard way in which the Republican had allegedly stored the sensitive information.&nbsp;

<h2>'Haphazard manner'</h2>

The 33-page filing submitted by prosecutors, on Monday (Jun 24) working on Special Counsel Jack Smith’s team which is investigating Trump’s alleged mishandling of classified documents dismissed the argument made by his lawyers who said that the case should be tossed as the order of documents in the boxes was slightly changed.&nbsp;

The prosecutors also took this opportunity to release previously unseen photos taken by the FBI during its August 2022 search of Trump’s estate in Florida, Mar-a-Lago and note the “haphazard manner” in which the documents were stored.&nbsp;

In the images, documents containing sensitive information were seen stored alongside clothing, picture frames, cases of Diet Coke, red MAGA (Make America Great Again) hats and Christmas ornaments.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/gags-up-trump-gets-partial-reprieve-ahead-of-debate-with-joe-biden-735130">Gag's up! Trump gets partial reprieve ahead of debate with Joe Biden</a>

According to the prosecutors, the boxes retrieved from the former president’s estate contained “all manner of items, including, for example, papers of varying sizes, from folded large-format items to tiny notes; clothing; picture frames; shoes; magazines; newspapers; newspaper clippings; correspondence; greeting cards; binders; and Christmas ornaments."

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(Photo credit: Reuters/US&nbsp;Department of Justice)

In the filing, the prosecutors acknowledged that some documents were recorded slightly out of order but to dismiss the case based on this premise would be “absurd".

“The notion that the precise ordering of materials within these boxes possessed any exculpatory value that would be apparent to the Filter Team when they opened the boxes is absurd,” they wrote.&nbsp;

The filing came after the former president’s lawyers asked the presiding US district judge Aileen Cannon to dismiss the charges against Trump since the evidence was spoiled and it would affect the defence’s ability to make their argument.&nbsp;

<h2>Judge does not agree with search warrant argument</h2>

While Smith’s investigation into Trump’s alleged mishandling of classified documents has been indefinitely delayed, Cannon is considering a series of motions filed by the former president’s legal team in hopes of getting the case dismissed.&nbsp;

In connection to one such bid, on Tuesday (Jun 25), the judge seemed sceptical about the claims that there was an issue with the warrant the FBI obtained to search the former president’s Mar-a-Lago estate.&nbsp;

This comes after Trump’s lawyers argued at a recent court hearing that the 2022 search warrant was overly broad and violated the former president’s rights.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/judge-declares-julian-assange-a-free-man-as-he-pleads-guilty-in-wikileaks-espionage-case-735141">Judge declares Julian Assange 'a free man' as he pleads guilty in WikiLeaks espionage case</a>

They also alleged that the federal agents took medical records and improperly entered the rooms of Barron, his son, and Melania, Trump’s wife, during the search.&nbsp;

However, Cannon said she had “a hard time seeing” any problems with the warrant noting that the language in the order which a magistrate judge signed off on&nbsp;seems to have been sufficient.

A formal ruling on Trump’s bid to get the case and the evidence collected thrown out is still pending and Cannon did not indicate when she would issue a verdict.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Newly released images taken by the FBI during its search of former United States President Donald Trump’s resort in the US state of Florida, Mar-a-Lago, shows the haphazard way in which the Republican had allegedly stored the sensitive information.

Newly released images taken by the FBI during its search of former United States President Donald Trump’s resort in the US state of Florida, Mar-a-Lago, shows the haphazard way in which the Republican had allegedly stored the sensitive information. 'Haphazard manner' The 33-page filing submitted by prosecutors, on Monday (Jun 24) working on Special Counsel Jack Smith’s team which is investigating Trump’s alleged mishandling of classified documents dismissed the argument made by his lawyers who said that the case should be tossed as the order of documents in the boxes was slightly changed. The prosecutors also took this opportunity to release previously unseen photos taken by the FBI during its August 2022 search of Trump’s estate in Florida, Mar-a-Lago and note the “haphazard manner” in which the documents were stored. In the images, documents containing sensitive information were seen stored alongside clothing, picture frames, cases of Diet Coke, red MAGA (Make America Great Again) hats and Christmas ornaments. Also Read | Gag's up! Trump gets partial reprieve ahead of debate with Joe Biden According to the prosecutors, the boxes retrieved from the former president’s estate contained “all manner of items, including, for example, papers of varying sizes, from folded large-format items to tiny notes; clothing; picture frames; shoes; magazines; newspapers; newspaper clippings; correspondence; greeting cards; binders; and Christmas ornaments." (Photo credit: Reuters/US Department of Justice) In the filing, the prosecutors acknowledged that some documents were recorded slightly out of order but to dismiss the case based on this premise would be “absurd". “The notion that the precise ordering of materials within these boxes possessed any exculpatory value that would be apparent to the Filter Team when they opened the boxes is absurd,” they wrote. The filing came after the former president’s lawyers asked the presiding US district judge Aileen Cannon to dismiss the charges against Trump since the evidence was spoiled and it would affect the defence’s ability to make their argument. Judge does not agree with search warrant argument While Smith’s investigation into Trump’s alleged mishandling of classified documents has been indefinitely delayed, Cannon is considering a series of motions filed by the former president’s legal team in hopes of getting the case dismissed. In connection to one such bid, on Tuesday (Jun 25), the judge seemed sceptical about the claims that there was an issue with the warrant the FBI obtained to search the former president’s Mar-a-Lago estate. This comes after Trump’s lawyers argued at a recent court hearing that the 2022 search warrant was overly broad and violated the former president’s rights. Also Read | Judge declares Julian Assange 'a free man' as he pleads guilty in WikiLeaks espionage case They also alleged that the federal agents took medical records and improperly entered the rooms of Barron, his son, and Melania, Trump’s wife, during the search. However, Cannon said she had “a hard time seeing” any problems with the warrant noting that the language in the order which a magistrate judge signed off on seems to have been sufficient. A formal ruling on Trump’s bid to get the case and the evidence collected thrown out is still pending and Cannon did not indicate when she would issue a verdict. (With inputs from agencies)

New images show Trump’s ‘haphazard’ storage of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago: Prosecutors

A horrific series of shootings has left three women dead, including the gunman's mother,&nbsp;in a violent rampage that unfolded across multiple locations in Florida on Monday (June 24) night.

The suspect, identified as 28-year-old Javontee Brice, was later fatally shot down by police.

As per the turn of events reported, Brice first went to an apartment in Palmetto. This is where he was able to find his sister and ex-girlfriend. He threatened to kill the ex-girlfriend, but his sister was able to talk him out of it.&nbsp;

Brice then drove to a Motel 6 in Bradenton where his mother, two young sisters, and his mother's boyfriend were staying. Around 9:15 PM, he walked into the hotel room, looked at his mother, and said "I'm sorry" before shooting her three times in front of the others.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-ps14-billion-in-ppe-purchased-during-pandemic-destroyed-or-unused-bbc-735094">UK: PPE worth £1.4 billion purchased during pandemic destroyed or unused - Reports</a>

From there, Brice drove to a house in Palmetto where one of his cousins was at a cookout. He allegedly shot and killed the 29-year-old cousin as she was getting into her car to leave, around 9:40 PM.&nbsp;

Brice's final stop was a home in Bradenton where another ex-girlfriend lived with her new partner. At around 10:04 PM, he allegedly shot and killed the new partner.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israeli-forces-kill-at-least-24-in-three-separate-airstrikes-on-gaza-735063">Israeli forces kill at least 24 in three separate airstrikes on Gaza</a>

Authorities issued a statewide "Be On the Lookout" bulletin for Brice's car, which was later tracked to Hamilton County, near the Georgia border. When police pulled him over around 1:30 AM, Brice got out of the car and started firing at officers, who returned fire and fatally shot him.&nbsp;

<h2>Motive unclear&nbsp;</h2>

Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells said Brice "seemed to have an agenda" and "knew exactly who he wanted to kill." However, the motive behind the deadly rampage remains unclear.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/kenya-protest-police-open-fire-at-protesters-trying-to-storm-parliament-735112">Kenya Protest: Police open fire at protesters trying to storm Parliament</a>

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"We don't know what set this man off. We don't know why he chose to kill his loved ones," Wells said. "We may never know, but we're going to continue to investigate."&nbsp;

Brice's family is said to be "devastated" by the loss of his mother and cousin.

Authorities are now working to interview relatives to try and determine what Brice may have been going through in the days leading up to the tragic events.

(With inputs from agencies)

A horrific series of shootings has left three women dead, including the gunman's mother, in a violent rampage that unfolded across multiple locations in Florida on Monday (June 24) night.

A horrific series of shootings has left three women dead, including the gunman's mother, in a violent rampage that unfolded across multiple locations in Florida on Monday (June 24) night. The suspect, identified as 28-year-old Javontee Brice, was later fatally shot down by police. As per the turn of events reported, Brice first went to an apartment in Palmetto. This is where he was able to find his sister and ex-girlfriend. He threatened to kill the ex-girlfriend, but his sister was able to talk him out of it. Brice then drove to a Motel 6 in Bradenton where his mother, two young sisters, and his mother's boyfriend were staying. Around 9:15 PM, he walked into the hotel room, looked at his mother, and said "I'm sorry" before shooting her three times in front of the others. Also Read | UK: PPE worth £1.4 billion purchased during pandemic destroyed or unused - Reports From there, Brice drove to a house in Palmetto where one of his cousins was at a cookout. He allegedly shot and killed the 29-year-old cousin as she was getting into her car to leave, around 9:40 PM. Brice's final stop was a home in Bradenton where another ex-girlfriend lived with her new partner. At around 10:04 PM, he allegedly shot and killed the new partner. Also Read | Israeli forces kill at least 24 in three separate airstrikes on Gaza Authorities issued a statewide "Be On the Lookout" bulletin for Brice's car, which was later tracked to Hamilton County, near the Georgia border. When police pulled him over around 1:30 AM, Brice got out of the car and started firing at officers, who returned fire and fatally shot him. Motive unclear Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells said Brice "seemed to have an agenda" and "knew exactly who he wanted to kill." However, the motive behind the deadly rampage remains unclear. Watch | Kenya Protest: Police open fire at protesters trying to storm Parliament × "We don't know what set this man off. We don't know why he chose to kill his loved ones," Wells said. "We may never know, but we're going to continue to investigate." Brice's family is said to be "devastated" by the loss of his mother and cousin. Authorities are now working to interview relatives to try and determine what Brice may have been going through in the days leading up to the tragic events. (With inputs from agencies)

Deadly rampage: Man kills 3, including his mother, in violent Florida shooting spree

A man from Florida threw lawn chairs, benches, and other furniture off a 20-storey Midtown Manhattan highrise with the debris narrowly missing passersby on the street below, a report by the New York Post on Tuesday (June 18) said.

A man from Florida threw lawn chairs, benches, and other furniture off a 20-storey Midtown Manhattan highrise with the debris narrowly missing passersby on the street below, a report by the New York Post on Tuesday (June 18) said. This bizarre tantrum was caught on camera. The man was identified as 33-year-old Jean Olivier. He was seen in a brief clip tossing the chairs from a landing one level down from the roof of 555 Fifth Ave., an office building near East 46th Street that houses a Barnes & Noble on the Ground Floor. Citing law enforcement sources, the New York Post report said that Olivier apparently visited the Consulate General of Haiti inside the building, complaining about housing, then flipped out and threw a chair. Motorcyclist narrowly avoids getting injured The video showed Olivier also throwing several plank-like objects down onto the street below. A motorcyclist narrowly avoided getting injured as he whizzed by. The 33-year-old man whizzed his arms around as onlookers inside a building across the street filmed the ordeal. Here's a look at the video: Man throws several items off a 20-story Manhattan high rise and nearly hit pedestrians in the street pic.twitter.com/jnaoVC7KcP — Crime Net (@TRIGGERHAPPYV1) June 20, 2024 × The furniture-flinging incident lasted for about an hour. "I saw a lot of looking, panicking and the police came. I wasn’t here when it started but that’s what I saw," a vendor told the publication. Man arrested, charged Police said they were able to find and cuff. He was charged with burglary, reckless endangerment, criminal mischief and criminal trespass, the police said, adding, that the man had no arrests prior. (With inputs from agencies)

Bizarre tantrum: US man throws furniture off Manhattan highrise. Watch

Rapper Travis Scott was arrested early Thursday on a disorderly intoxication charge after allegedly yelling at people on a yacht in Miami Beach, Florida. Watch in for more details!

Rapper Travis Scott arrested for disorderly intoxication and trespassing

A water spot transformed into a weak tornado upon reaching land in Florida. According to the Citrus County Sheriff's office, there were no injuries or significant damage reported.

US: Funnel cloud caught on camera in Florida, no injuries reported

Funnel cloud caught on camera in Florida, no injuries recorded

Storms flowing from the gulf of Mexico have swamped south Florida with flash floods. The floods have stalled traffic and forced the cancellation of dozens of flights.

Florida floods: Aftermath of torrential downpour, locals begin clean-up

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