Credits: Social Media
Public urged to secure homes and plan for pets as NASA posts Hurricane Milton photos
NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick posted one of the years most astounding photographs to his X followers yesterday, showing Hurricane Milton in all its deadly glory. Half an hour later, he followed it with a time-lapse video taken from the International Space Stations Dragon Endeavour window.
Millions of people in Florida are rushing to evacuate their homes as Milton accelerates towards the states west coast, bringing weather that even the hardiest of plants are unlikely to be able to withstand. Extreme weather systems are already jeopardizing peoples health. While some bring it upon themselves to chase storms for the thrill, most recognize the benefits of taking precautions against dangerous weather. Still, heres a reminder. Plus a look at those photos&
ISS astronaut snaps Dragons-eye view of Hurricane Milton
Matthew Dominick posted on X yesterday that the International Space Station (ISS) had just flown over Hurricane Milton.
Expect lots of images from this window, he wrote, as this is where Im sleeping while we wait to undock and return to Earth.
Take a look at his photo, below.
He followed it up about half an hour later with a time-lapse video of the ISSs journey toward, over, and past the cantankerous weather system.
Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall late Wednesday or early Thursday as a major hurricane, according to the US Energy Information Administration, with winds of 160 miles per hour.�
It comes a matter of days after Hurricane Helene caused major power outages and damage to electricity infrastructure on its way up through Florida to the Appalachian Mountains. Helene was Category 4. Milton is Category 5.
Public offices urge the public to revise evacuation routes and prepare for the worst
Osceola County is just south of Orlando and sits squarely on Hurricane Miltons forecasted path.�
The County Sheriffs Office has published a public service announcement on its website, encouraging residents to follow a few basic rules and guidelines. However, this advice applies to members of the public elsewhere in Florida, not just in Osceola County.
- Know your evacuation routes, especially if you live in a flood-prone or low-lying area. Leave early to avoid congested roadways. Drive safely and patiently.
- Prepare an emergency kit. This should include 1 gallon of water per person per day you expect to be on the road, and non-perishable food to last 3 days. For a full list, visit the sheriffs offices website and click the Survival Kit tab.
- Sign up for alerts. This could be on social media or via SMS. Check with your local public services to see which options are available.
- Secure your home. This means securing outdoor furniture, potted plants, and loose items that could become projectiles.
- Plan for your pets safety. Make sure you pack pet food and any necessary medications. check shelters in advance to see which ones are pet-friendly.
- Prepare for power outages. Never operate a generator indoors. They should be placed at least 20 feet away from doors, windows, and vents, to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Continue to monitor local alerts after the storm has passed. Post-storm hazards include flooding, fallen power lines, and blocked roads.
- Look out for each other. Check on elderly neighbors or those with special needs who may need extra assistance during the storm. By looking out for each other, we strengthen our collective safety.
The EIA maintains a live map of the USs energy infrastructure, overlaid with Hurricane Miltons progress. It allows you to toggle all sorts of layers, including oil and gas infrastructure, coal mines, and pipelines. It could come in handy when planning your route away from home �and timing your drive back.
