Milton is a monster. Elected leaders are to blame.

A former Florida climate commissioner reflects on the decades of denial and delay that led to this moment.

Kathy Baughman McLeod is a former Florida state commissioner of energy and climate, and worked in Florida for more than 25 years. She’s currently the CEO of Climate Resilience for All.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis gives a press conference in the aftermath of Hurricane Idalia on August 31, 2023 in Steinhatchee, Florida. Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images

My 8…