Many Floridians spent much of Saturday either waiting hours in line for gas, trying to get home or beginning the arduous work of cleaning up after Hurricane Milton.

For some residents of storm-prone Southeastern states, the best indicator of a hurricane's severity can be found at the local Waffle House.

Florida communities near Tampa Bay were devastated when Hurricane Helene made landfall two weeks ago about 100 miles (160 kilometers) to the north.

Fearful Florida residents are streaming out of the Tampa Bay region ahead of what could be a once-in-a-century direct hit from Hurricane Milton.

Tropical Storm Debby came ashore in Florida as a Category 1 hurricane and quickly downgraded, but the storm still poses serious threats as it slogs on toward Georgia and South Carolina.

Former Federal Emergency Management Director Craig Fugate has some advice for people following storms: Don't judge their severity on how big a number they've been assigned.

As Houston slowly struggles to recover after Hurricane Beryl left millions without power, experts say it's time to rethink how cities are preparing for and responding to weather disasters.

U.S. officials are rolling out a new flood insurance program they say will more accurately calculate rates to reflect a home's risk.

Response to disasters such as Hurricane Ida falls primarily to state and local officials, but the federal government is playing an important support role.

Response to disasters such as Hurricane Ida falls primarily to state and local officials, but the federal government is playing an important support role.

A new study says climate change added $8 billion to the massive costs of 2012's Superstorm Sandy.

President-elect Joe Biden speaks about the COVID-19 pandemic during an event at The Queen theater, Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021, in Wilmington, Del. Biden also is tapping former Food and Drug Administration Commissioner David Kessler to help lead the COVID-19 vaccine drive. Nancy Ward served as the agency's acting administrator in the early months of the Obama administration before his pick, Craig Fugate, could be confirmed. Miller was steeped in manufacturing policy in the Obama administration, including an update of automobile fuel efficiency standards. She also served as the head of the Office of Emergency Management for the city of Aurora, Colorado.

The Atlantic is increasingly spawning more major hurricanes, according to an Associated Press analysis of NOAA hurricane data since 1950. The Atlantic now averages three major hurricanes a year, based on a 30-year running average. A study by Kossin found that, once a storm formed, the chances of its attaining major storm status globally increased by 8% a decade since 1979. Such a busy period started in 1995 and might end soon as northern Atlantic waters shift to a cooler regime, he said. In addition, he said: Climate change will be a bigger driver of losses in the future.___Follow Seth Borenstein on Twitter at www.twitter.com/borenbears.

With the coronavirus pandemic those of us who live here have to take additional steps to be prepared. We really need to focus on this evacuation notice in spite of COVID.If you are in the evacuation zone, the risk there is drowning from these storms. Its really about the masks and hand sanitizers and things like that, that you (should) bring with you, Fugate said. Its important to note that shelters might be limited, based on what is happening at any given time with the health crisis. As a result, its critical to prepare and make an evacuation plan sooner rather than later.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Monday is the official start of the 2020 hurricane season -- and weve already had two named tropical systems this year. New data from AAA shows Floridians are more concerned about this years hurricane season as the coronavirus pandemic adds to the unease of whats expected to be an active year. The survey found nearly a third of Floridians are more concerned about hurricane season than they were last year. Here are a few ways to prepare for this year's hurricane season. Also, know your evacuation route, prepare your vehicle for an immediate emergency, prepare your pets and research shelter availability.

This was a big story of the day for a brief period of time, said Ron Sachs, CEO of Tallahassee-based Sachs Media Group who helped organize Rebuild 850. Rebuild 850 leaders said Thursday they appreciated Grahams work, but they dont want her exit to be a distraction. This is not a partisan organization, said Rebuild 850 Co-Chairman Will Weatherford, a former Republican House speaker from Wesley Chapel. Sachs said he had discussed with Graham in August her use of Twitter and the intent of Rebuild 850 to be non-partisan. Anyone wishing to make a donation to Rebuild 850 can do so at Rebuild850.org.

"Our goal is always to be the last to close, first to open," Waffle House public relations director Pat Warner told CNN. The hungry history of the Waffle House IndexFormer FEMA administrator Craig Fugate told CNN the Waffle House Index was born out of coincidence, hunger and necessity. The further south they drove, the more open Waffle House locations they found while other businesses were dark. So they codified it--and the Waffle House Index was invented. Waffle House plans to roll with Dorian's punchesTo determine whether shops should fire up the waffle irons or not is tricky.

For Florida alone, damage from Hurricane Irma has cost the federal government more than $8 billion in disaster relief. One month into hurricane season, the state hasnt seen a single named storm, but Fugate said it doesnt matter. The most active part of hurricane season starts when we start playing college football, Fugate added. Fugate said all Floridians should review their insurance policies in preparation for hurricane season to understand where they might lack coverage. He also recommended all Floridians acquire flood insurance, even if they dont live in a designated flood zone.