AJ Saunders-Johnston

On any given day, I have a litany of complaints about emergency management. And I will gladly tell you all about them, in great detail. Not tonight though. The system is working exactly as envisioned, in all its glory, and I'd have it no other way. The best of the best are out there, they are locked in, with everything Texas and the country has to offer, and are singularly focused. I've never quite seen a response like it. All the interagency squabbles stopped, all the political winds shifted favorably, and all the usual bs subsided. I suppose I have no offer of proof this is true, other than, well, if I thought the system was f**king up... ... well, then, I would just say that. And then start fighting about it. Have had to do a lot of fighting over the years. The system, not the individual responders, has often dropped the ball during major disasters. But not tonight. Tonight, the most highly decorated responders America has to offer will be working all hours, with an unshakeable focus and determination. And so, tonight, I am filled with gratitude, that our best men and women are out there, with some of the best equipment, training, and support in the history of the world. Draw comfort from that. Draw hope. I sure am. Godspeed to all responding and God be with our community. ❤️ - matthew marchetti

@xtianherring @matt_everhard Oh, could you please share the store’s name? We spend a lot of time up at Bonclarken and would love to go!

4 AM in Orlando 🌙 strong winds came back for round 2

To nail a forecasted landfall spot within 12 miles as the storm is forming is phenomenal. The first forecast came out at 11 AM Saturday. The storm made landfall at 8:30 PM Wednesday. Major props to @NHC_Atlantic. #Milton

@CC_StormWatch Can’t speak for others, but I’m doing well so far here in CFL! OSINT showing lots of transformer explosions and we’ll have a lot to assess for work tomorrow, but praying that Milton continues downgrading so that things stay steady.

It's been a looooong day, and a lot to be analyzed, especially from the #tornado outbreak ahead of #Milton. We won't know until morning the damage, but I hope everyone is okay.

Our OCSO Mounted Patrol horses are safe indoors, riding out Hurricane Milton at the Orange County Convention Center (@OCCC). We hope you’re hunkering down too. Remember, now is NOT the time to venture outside. Conditions can deteriorate in a matter of seconds! #HurricaneMilton #StayInside #StaySafe

Called the heroes at @NWSTampaBay and @NWSMelbourne as they lower the shutters to ride out #Milton. They will be on duty along with our other @NWS offices to issue life-saving information on the front lines 24/7. To all @NWS employees, my heart felt thank you for your service.

In 10 days meteorologists have gone from “never getting it right” to being able control the weather.

Conspiracy theorists who keep saying there’s “no way” the hurricane could have intensified so much without some human cause are so close to getting it.

One thing I will admit: no state is more prepared for the aftermath of hurricanes than Florida is, since they have (at a state level) tons of experience as hurricanes happen frequently in the state. However, it'll be a tough slog regardless due to the many impacts. #Milton #FLwx

The way we’re about to watch Milton unfold through the eyes of its victims on TikTok feels unprecedented. I have two degrees in climate science. Not once in my education did we talk about the role that social media would play in the collective experience of climate change.

Just wanted to give a shoutout to all of the workers at the National Hurricane Center, National Weather Services offices, local news affiliates and emergency management dealing with Hurricane Milton. We’re so grateful for all that you are doing!

Jackson TN Energy Authority on top of Holston Mt during Hurricane Helene reconstruction. This should become an iconic photo for the history books.

It will be morning before we know the full extent of the damage. We won't know tonight since it is extremely dangerous to be outdoors in the aftermath while dark. Power lines and trees on the ground, along with debris, makes it impossible to travel. #Milton #FLwx

@cs_rescue @FirstNet @ATT That’s what I’ve discovered too; very surprised! I used to have fine coverage in my area with normal ATT, and now there are complete dead zones with FirstNet. It’s the oddest thing. Thank you for the check in and the commiseration! 😂

@ajsjohnston @FirstNet @ATT So far so good on our end. FirstNet has very sporadic reliability overall. Better than nothing, but isnt living up to how it was sold / promoted.

Any other Central Florida @FirstNet subscribers without service despite manageable conditions? Colleagues with regular @ATT are doing just fine, but my #FirstNet iPhone is showing SOS-only. If we lose power, I’m offline…which is exactly what we got FirstNet to try to prevent.

Having been caught in the TN band of the AL supercell in 2011 and now in FL for the Milton outbreak…trust me: you don’t want to mess with tornados!

If your house is flooding while the winds are extremely strong, find the lowest DRY level of your home and shelter there. That may be your attic. Call 911 - they won't get to you until the storm calms down, but at least they will know you need help. #Milton #FLwx

Just talked to a NC pastor who had made contact with 90 of his church's 91 members, but feared the worst for the 85 y/o who lived in a flood plain and was unaccounted for. When he got her voicemail telling him she was safe, he wept with joy. He cried again telling me the story.