Hurricane Milton swept across central Florida on 10 October, after making landfall on the state’s west coast the previous evening, causing extensive damage with strong winds, heavy rain, and tornadoes.

The storm initially struck near Siesta Key on 9 October at approximately 8.30 pm EDT (8.30 am Singapore time on 10 October), with winds reaching 195 km/h, classifying it as a Category 3 hurricane, according to the US National Hurricane Centre.

As the hurricane continued eastward through Florida, it weakened to a Category 1 storm by early 10 October, with maximum sustained winds of 150 km/h.

Despite this downgrade, the danger remained high, with severe rainfall and significant storm surges. The hurricane’s eye was about 75 km west-southwest of Cape Canaveral, which houses Nasa’s Space Force Station, at the time.

A flash flood emergency was declared for the Tampa Bay region, covering Tampa, St Petersburg, and Clearwater. The National Hurricane Centre reported that St Petersburg alone experienced 422 mm of rain on 9 October. Authorities warned that seawater could surge as high as 4 metres in certain areas, potentially inundating coastal communities.

Governor Ron DeSantis expressed hope that Tampa Bay would avoid the worst of the storm’s effects due to the timing of landfall before high tide.

However, Milton had already unleashed at least 19 tornadoes across the state, damaging numerous counties and destroying around 125 homes, including many mobile homes. “At this point, it’s too dangerous to evacuate safely, so you have to shelter in place and just hunker down,” Mr DeSantis said during a briefing following the storm’s landfall.

Tragically, at least two fatalities were reported at a retirement community in Fort Pierce on Florida’s eastern coast, following a suspected tornado, as cited by NBC News and St Lucie County Sheriff Keith Pearson.

The sheriff estimated that approximately 100 homes were destroyed by the tornadoes in the county, which saw about 17 touch down.

The hurricane caused significant power outages, leaving more than two million homes and businesses without electricity, according to data from PowerOutage.us. The storm was projected to move across Florida overnight before entering the Atlantic Ocean on 10 October, still maintaining hurricane strength.

Wow! My cousin sent this to me by a neighbor of his of the tornado that struck Wellington, FL from earlier today. Incredible speed & power that tornado possessed. #HurricaneMilton #flwx pic.twitter.com/QnF8hRQTQo

— Thee 🌪ornadorologist (@tornadorology) October 9, 2024

The arrival of Hurricane Milton comes just two weeks after Hurricane Helene battered the southern United States, including Florida. State officials had already ordered the evacuation of up to two million residents ahead of Milton’s impact, with millions more remaining in its path. The cumulative damage from both hurricanes is expected to reach billions of dollars.

Florida’s recovery efforts were bolstered by federal support, with President Joe Biden being briefed on the situation by emergency response teams.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema) has mobilised significant resources, including millions of litres of water, meals, and personnel, to assist those affected by Milton, even as it continues recovery work following Hurricane Helene.

Governor DeSantis confirmed that 9,000 National Guard personnel and 50,000 utility workers were deployed to aid in clearing debris and restoring power. Search-and-rescue teams were on standby to begin operations as soon as conditions allowed. “It’s going to mean pretty much all the rescues are going to be done in the dark, in the middle of the night, but that’s fine. They’re going to do that,” he added.

Despite these efforts, the damage from Hurricane Milton remains severe. High waves nearing 8.5 metres were recorded offshore, while boats were beached in St Petersburg, adding to the destruction.

Many parts of Florida faced fuel shortages, with almost 25% of petrol stations running dry by the afternoon of 9 October as residents evacuated.

While the human toll is the most pressing concern, other local efforts included protecting animals at Tampa’s zoo, where staff sheltered African elephants, flamingos, and other species.

The zoo joined residents in bracing for the worst, highlighting the widespread impact of the hurricane.

Political Controversy Surrounding Federal Response

The hurricane’s approach has also intensified political disputes, particularly as the US prepares for elections.

President Biden condemned the spread of disinformation regarding the government’s hurricane response, describing it as an attempt to “undermine confidence” in rescue and recovery efforts.

Former President Donald Trump has been critical of the Biden administration’s handling of disaster relief, especially following the impact of Hurricane Helene.

Trump claimed that resources intended for disaster victims had been diverted to assist migrants, a claim which Fema has categorically denied, emphasising that no disaster relief funds were diverted for this purpose.

Fema noted that its Disaster Relief Fund remains separate from budgets designated for migrant assistance.

In a highly charged political climate, these statements have led to further scrutiny of the federal response. Nonetheless, Fema asserts that it has the resources necessary for immediate response and recovery operations following both hurricanes.

A coalition of concerned citizens and organisations in Singapore has written to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, urging the government to expedite the formal recognition of the State of Palestine.

This request follows a statement by the Singaporean government on 2 July 2024, expressing its readiness to recognise the Palestinian state “at an appropriate time.”

The coalition believes that such recognition is timely, particularly in light of recent developments and ongoing humanitarian concerns in the region.

The letter highlights the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling of 19 July 2024, which declared Israel’s occupation of the Gaza Strip, West Bank, and East Jerusalem as unlawful.

According to the coalition, the ICJ decision reinforces the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and obliges countries to refuse to recognise any illegal changes to the occupied territories.

They argue that Singapore’s recognition of Palestine would affirm the country’s respect for international law and its commitment to a rules-based global order.

Rationale for Expedited Recognition

The letter outlines several reasons why the coalition believes immediate recognition is necessary.

Firstly, it argues that Singapore’s decision would demonstrate a commitment to upholding international legal norms, especially as Singapore has long advocated for a rules-based international system.

According to the coalition, formal recognition of Palestine would align with the ICJ’s call for the global community to support Palestinian rights and end unlawful occupation practices.

Secondly, the coalition emphasises that Singapore’s recognition of Palestine would strengthen the two-state solution, a framework the country has consistently supported.

They note that negotiations between Israel and Palestine have stalled since 2014, and recent actions, including the Israeli Prime Minister’s presentation of a map excluding the West Bank, have further strained prospects for peaceful dialogue.

The coalition argues that waiting for Israel to return to negotiations should not delay the recognition of Palestine, as ongoing violence in the region underscores the urgency of the issue.

Aligning with Global Consensus

The coalition points out that over 140 countries have already recognised Palestine, suggesting that Singapore’s recognition would align with the global majority.

They argue that this move would position Singapore as a principled advocate for peace and justice, reinforcing its diplomatic standing on the international stage. Moreover, recognising Palestine would demonstrate Singapore’s support for international cooperation, which has been a central aspect of its foreign policy.

Addressing Humanitarian Concerns

The ongoing humanitarian situation in Palestinian territories is another critical aspect highlighted by the coalition.

The letter references ongoing suffering in Gaza and the West Bank, including reports of settler violence and significant civilian casualties. The coalition describes this as a pressing humanitarian crisis, with concerns about potential genocide as raised by both the ICJ and the United Nations Human Rights Council.

By recognising the State of Palestine, the coalition suggests that Singapore would take a stance consistent with its values of human rights, fairness, and equality.

Strengthening Diplomatic Relations

The coalition also believes that the recognition of Palestine could enhance Singapore’s diplomatic and economic relations with Palestine and other nations in the international community.

They assert that this move would underline Singapore’s position as a respected voice in advocating for global peace and human rights. In their view, such a decision would contribute to a broader effort to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and support regional stability.

Conclusion and Call for Action

In the letter, the coalition expresses confidence that recognising the State of Palestine would bolster Singapore’s reputation as a nation committed to fairness and international law.

They urge the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to act swiftly, given the escalating violence and humanitarian concerns in the region. They believe that the time for action is now, as Singapore’s recent statements and the ICJ ruling provide a clear basis for formal recognition.

Signatories to the letter include several notable organisations, such as the Centre for Interfaith Understanding, Echoes of Gaza, and SG Climate Rally, alongside individual advocates like former People’s Action Party Members of Parliament Zainal Sapari and Dr Intan Azura Mokhtar; former Nominated Members of Parliament Dr Kanwaljit Soin, Anthea Ong, Braema Mathi, Dr Geh Min, and Kok Heng Leun; as well as historian Thum Ping Tjin. The coalition’s appeal underscores a significant segment of Singapore’s civil society advocating for a proactive approach in support of Palestinian statehood.

The letter concludes by urging the Singaporean government to reflect its values of balanced diplomacy and justice in this decision. It requests a prompt plan for recognition, emphasising that such a step would align with Singapore’s longstanding dedication to international peace and the rule of law. The coalition looks forward to a considered response from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

146 of the 193 United Nations (UN) member states have recognized the State of Palestine.

Read the Letter to the Minister for Foreign Affairs here.