A storm surge warning has been reissued for several areas in Florida as Milton intensifies with wind speeds of 161 km/h, continuing to strengthen and becoming a major hurricane by the end of October 7th.
Residents along Florida’s coast have just endured the devastating Hurricane Helene in recent days and now face new evacuation orders as the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) on October 7th warned that Hurricane Milton is strengthening to Category 3 on the five-tier scale, with the potential to cause severe damage.
The NHC noted that a storm surge warning has been reissued for several areas in Florida as Milton intensifies with wind speeds of 161 km/h, continuing to strengthen and becoming a major hurricane by the end of October 7th.
The hurricane is expected to move north of the Yucatán Peninsula and cross the southern Gulf of Mexico on October 7th-8th. It could potentially make landfall on Florida’s west coast.
The risk of storm surge during Hurricane Milton could reach 0.6 to 1.2 meters above sea level along the northern coast of the Yucatán Peninsula, causing large, destructive waves.
According to the NHC, major hurricanes—Category 3 or higher—have a minimum wind speed of 178 km/h and pose the risk of “catastrophic damage,” even to well-constructed homes. Power and water outages may last for several days or weeks after the storm passes.
Tampa County official Jane Castor stated that the area is still recovering from Hurricane Helene, and the incoming rain from Milton will add more challenges, not to mention storm surges and wind damage.
President Joe Biden emphasized that the federal government is preparing resources for storm response and rescue efforts.
Earlier that day, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis extended the state of emergency to 51 of the state’s 67 counties, warning that Hurricane Milton could have “significant impacts.”
Meanwhile, rescue teams are still racing to find those missing after Hurricane Helene, which hit the U.S. on September 27th, resulting in 225 fatalities across several states.
Hidden Smartphone Tricks That Will Change How You Use Your Phone
Smartphones come with many useful features that make life easier, but some of these features are hidden or overlooked.
From quick shortcuts to helpful settings, these tips can make using your smartphone faster, easier, and more fun.
Below are a few simple tricks to unlock your smartphone’s hidden abilities!
Smartphones are a big part of daily life, helping with everything from staying in touch to tracking fitness, scheduling, and entertainment. But many of us don’t know everything they can do.
Here are some hidden smartphone features and tips to help you make the most of your device.
**Silence in Seconds**
Everyone’s been caught in a place where phones should be silent, only for it to start ringing. You can quickly silence calls or notifications by pressing the volume down button. Your phone will go quiet without ending the call or dismissing the alert, saving you from any embarrassment!
**Quick Camera Access**
Special moments happen without warning, and there’s no time to search for the camera app. You don’t need to unlock your phone to take a picture. On iPhones, swipe left from the lock screen to open the camera. Android users can double-press the power button to open the camera instantly. This way, you’ll never miss an important shot.
**Widgets**
Widgets have grown from simple displays to tools that can make smartphone use even easier. Adding widgets to your home screen lets you check important info, access apps, and complete tasks without scrolling through menus. Popular widgets include calendar, email, weather, notes, and health. For smart home users, widgets can control devices directly from the screen.
**Reduce Eye Strain**
Spending long periods looking at screens can cause eye strain. To help with this, activate dark mode. It looks sleek and saves battery on OLED screens, plus it’s easier on the eyes at night. Many popular apps also have dark mode. Also, try the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds to give your eyes a break.
**Reduce Battery Drain**
Nothing is more frustrating than a phone that loses power without use. Modern smartphones come with battery-saving settings that help stretch battery life. Here are some ways to preserve battery power:
– **Activate low power mode (iPhone) or battery saver (Android)**: This mode turns off non-essential functions to conserve energy.
– **Auto-brightness**: The screen uses a lot of battery. Lowering the brightness or using auto-brightness can save power.
– **Limit background refresh and sync**: Many apps refresh in the background, draining the battery faster. Limiting this can save energy.
– **Close or uninstall battery-draining apps**: Social media, gaming, and streaming apps often use more power. Close or uninstall apps you don’t often use to save battery.
**Keeping Your Phone Running Well**
To keep your phone running smoothly, it’s important to maintain it. Over time, your phone can slow down due to heavy use or software updates. Here are some tips to keep your phone fast and efficient:
– **Clear cache regularly**: Apps save temporary data, but too much cache can slow your phone.
– **Limit background apps**: Apps running in the background use memory and battery. Limiting background activity helps improve performance.
– **Free up storage space**: Low storage can slow your phone and cause apps to crash. Clearing storage boosts speed and stability.
– **Update apps and software**: Updates include bug fixes and improvements to keep your phone functioning smoothly.
These smartphone tips are just a start. Exploring these tricks can make your device a more helpful part of your daily routine, from staying organized to simplifying tasks.
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