Associated video: What we realized from Hurricanes Helene & Milton
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — The impacts of hurricanes Helene and Milton might have a bigger consequence than simply storm harm, in response to the Flood and Storm Tracker maps from the U.S. Geological Survey.
The USGS mentioned these hurricanes might have contributed to the unfold of nonnative and invasive species to new components of Florida and Georgia.
Botanist Ian Pfingsten mentioned the USGS preliminary map for Hurricane Helene confirmed 222 attainable species may have unfold to new areas as a consequence of storm-related flooding. Ninety of those species are invasive and “prone to unfold by way of flood water.”
In the meantime, the map for Hurricane Milton confirmed the potential unfold of 114 nonnative species, 56 of that are thought of invasive.
“As soon as a species is launched by spreading to a brand new location with appropriate situations, there’s a chance of that species establishing a inhabitants in its new surroundings, particularly for extremely invasive species which are documented to quickly develop and reproduce with out the constraints from the surroundings the place the species originated,” the USGS report mentioned.
In response to the report, there was appreciable overlap for each hurricanes Helene and Milton because of the storms being a number of weeks aside. Helene made landfall within the Huge Bend area of Florida whereas Milton hit Sarasota County.
These hurricanes are believed to have unfold present invasive species in Florida just like the Burmese python, the large applesnail, and the Asian swamp eel.
“The large applesnail is an agricultural pest whereas the swamp eel impacts populations of native species the place it has established,” the USGS mentioned. “Each species can pose a danger to human well being as they’re recognized to hold parasites.”
The map for Helene additionally confirmed that the flathead and blue catfish may unfold previous the coastal plains. In that case, this might have devastating penalties for the native ecosystems as they compete with and feed upon native species.
“In response to Pfingsten, extra species that had the potential to unfold to new areas because of Helene embody Cuban treefrogs and alligatorweed,” the report mentioned. “Cuban treefrogs prey on and outcompete native frog species, impression infrastructure, and secrete a noxious chemical that may trigger burning within the eyes or nostril if a human handles them. Alligatorweed can clog waterways, impression infrastructure, and may result in stagnant water that helps mosquitos breeding.”
The FaST maps will likely be up to date as soon as the ultimate flooding information is accessible. You’ll be able to see which species may unfold in components of Florida here.
