hurricanes

Circuit Judge John J. Murphy III agreed with the defense that prosecutors had failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Jorge Carballo had acted with reckless disregard for human life or had demonstrated conscious indifference to his patients’ safety.

A judge has acquitted Jorge Carballo, administrator of Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills, of causing the overheating deaths of nine patients after Hurricane Irma in 2017.

Winds from the north expected during a major cold front coming through Thursday should push the red tide offshore or back to the south, away from the beaches.

From Tampa Bay south to Ten Thousand Islands, the algae bloom is so prevalent, pungent and potentially poisonous that the authors of health advisories ignored the long-established practice of softening the language to avoid scaring away tourists.

Prior to Ian’s landfall over a month ago, the county reported a mosquito count of about 13,000. Two weeks after the storm brought historic flood levels, the county reported 46,000 mosquitos.

Researchers say Hurricane Ian brought red tide, destroyed artificial reefs from as far away as 30 miles from the coast and could impact the state's fishing industry.

Lengthy checklists from public health officials on handling emergencies miss vulnerable seniors who can’t always follow the recommendations.

The Florida Department of Health reports 28 cases and six deaths in Lee County from Vibrio vulnificus, a bacterial infection that thrives in warm, brackish water.

The state Department of Health reports that as of Friday there have been 65 cases of vibrio vulnificus infections and 11 deaths this year. That compares with 34 cases and 10 deaths reported in 2021

Older people with limited mobility and chronic health conditions requiring the use of electrically powered medical devices were especially vulnerable. Experts are warning such risks to society’s oldest are growing as disasters increase amid climate change.