US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

While experts say the weather agency performed well, they warn it is operating far below staffing needs.

NOAA data helps many decide what to wear, where to meet friends and what to do during hurricane, tornado or blizzard emergencies.

NOAA crew members were shaken as their plane made its way through Hurricane Milton on Tuesday.

The National Hurricane Center forecasts the storm will hit the Yucatan Peninsula before heading towards Texas.

Parts of west Texas were hit with wind speeds reaching up to 130km/h (80mph) on Sunday.

Scientists are investigating what caused the death of the 52ft (15.8m) fin whale discovered on Sunday.