🌀 Axios PM: This storm's different

Plus: Post-debate surge | Tuesday, August 29, 2023

Open in app View in browser   Presented By Amazon   Axios PM By Mike Allen · Aug 29, 2023 🚀 Happy Tuesday! Today's PM — edited by Noah Bressner — is 486 words, a 2-min. read. Thanks to Sheryl Miller for the copy edit.     1 big thing: Why Hurricane Idalia is different Illustration: Natalie Peeples/Axios   Extreme water temperatures coupled with unique geographic features are pushing forecasters to warn that Hurricane Idalia could turn "catastrophic" — threatening to wipe out coastal communities in Florida. The storm is expected to strike Florida's Big Bend — where the panhandle meets the peninsula — tomorrow morning as a Category 3 hurricane, Axios extreme weather expert Andrew Freedman writes. The National Hurricane Center is warning of "catastrophic storm surge" in the Big Bend, a uniquely vulnerable region due to the shape of its coast and shallow continental shelf. "When you try to compare this storm to others, DON'T. No one has seen this," the National Weather Service office in Tallahassee posted. Zoom in: No storm of this magnitude has made a direct hit in the area since reliable records began. Unusually hot waters in the Gulf of Mexico — largely from climate change and persistent heat domes this summer — have given the storm a chance to intensify rapidly. Image: National Hurricane Center Between the lines: A little-known feature beyond the world of storm research is pushing experts to sound increasingly loud alarms. A combination of fresh and saltwater from the Mississippi River's mouth makes it more likely for the storm to intensify as it nears land. Seawater is more likely to stay hot during a hurricane if there's a layer of freshwater on top, making a storm potentially more dangerous. The intrigue: The "I" storm has a curse of sorts. Every storm beginning with I since 2019 has made landfall as a deadly hurricane (Ida, Irma, Ian). Get the latest ... Subscribe to Axios Generate.     2. 🐘 Scoop: Trumpworld sees Haley surge Photo: Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images Trump pollster Tony Fabrizio is telling Republican donors that Nikki Haley "has surged" in Iowa since last week's GOP presidential debate, according to a polling memo obtained by Axios' Alex Thompson. The memo argues that Haley and Vivek Ramaswamy are essentially tied with Ron DeSantis in New Hampshire. Why it matters: Team Trump is putting a spotlight on DeSantis' early struggles and attempting to shift the narrative from "Trump vs. DeSantis" to "Trump vs. everyone else." Keep reading.     A message from Amazon "I've been promoted 3x in just two years"     Since starting at Amazon in 2021, Jessica has been promoted three times. "Being promoted so many times has been a huge boost in pay but also in my confidence," she said. The story: Amazon offers free technical training programs to help employees like Jessica move into higher paying roles. Read more.     3. Catch me up Photo: Patrick Semansky/AP House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. He intends to keep working during treatment. Keep reading. Miami Mayor Francis Suarez became the first Republican presidential candidate to suspend his campaign after failing to qualify for last week's debate. Keep reading. Scoop: Two of the biggest unions representing New York Times workers sent cease-and-desist letters to management over its plan to monitor badge swipes to track compliance with return-to-office policies. Keep reading.     4. 📸 Parting shot Photo: Evan Vucci/AP President Biden works the East Room today after speaking about prescription drug costs. Two expensive blood thinners — Eliquis and Xarelto — are among 10 targeted prescription drugs for Medicare's first-ever price negotiations. See the whole list.     A message from Amazon "This job has made such a difference financially"     Amazon offers hourly employees free skills training, prepaid tuition and comprehensive benefits that start on day one. The results: "I've been able to save and live on my own," said Dana, a fulfillment associate in New York City. "I don't think people realize the impact of all the benefits." See more.   📬 Thanks for reading. Please invite your friends to join. Are you a fan of this email format? Your essential communications — to staff, clients and other stakeholders — can have the same style. Axios HQ, a powerful platform, will help you do it.   Axios thanks our partners for supporting our newsletters. Sponsorship has no influence on editorial content. Axios, 3100 Clarendon B‌lvd, Arlington VA 22201   You received this email because you signed up for newsletters from Axios. To stop receiving this newsletter, unsubscribe or manage your email preferences.   Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up now to get Axios in your inbox.   Follow Axios on social media: