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    Florida brought in Old World climbing fern as an ornamental; the vine later smothered more than 100,000 acres and can carry ground fires into tree canopies

    Once admired for its ornamental beauty, the old world climbing fern has now wreaked havoc on Florida's ecosystems. This invasive plant grows rampantly, enveloping trees and choking out native flora, while also altering fire dynamics. The heightened fire risk threatens tree vitality and wildlife habitats, complicating management efforts. Although options like herbicides and physical removal exist, these methods face challenges in less accessible areas.

    In 2025, the 867-ton Spirit of Norfolk was sunk off Florida’s Okaloosa County coast; the former dinner cruise ship now rests 128 feet underwater

    In June 2022, the Spirit of Norfolk, a dinner cruise vessel, suffered a devastating fire and was declared unusable. Following a period of storage, Okaloosa County acquired the ship with a unique plan: to intentionally sink it 128 feet below the surface, creating an artificial reef. This innovative project supports marine ecosystems in line with Florida's commitment to improving underwater habitats through repurposed ships.

    Florida Learjet 60 plane crash that killed all 9 on board captured on horrific dash cam video; watch here

    A Learjet 60 crashed in Greenacres, Florida, resulting in the death of all nine passengers on board. The private plane was en route from Texas to the Bahamas when it experienced a rapid descent before its eventual crash. Eyewitness footage showed the aircraft nosedive before exploding upon impact, narrowly avoiding nearby homes. An investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board is ongoing.

    'Like a missile coming down': Private jet explodes into a fireball as it crashes in busy Florida neighborhood; see photos from the scene

    On Sunday afternoon, a Learjet 60 crashed in a Florida neighborhood, killing all nine passengers on board. The plane, which took off from Austin, Texas, was en route to the Bahamas at the time of the incident. Emergency services responded quickly to the scene while hundreds of residents were evacuated from nearby trailer homes. Thunderstorms and heavy rain were reported in the area at the time of the crash.

    Shark spotted swimming through flooded Florida street after record rainfall. Watch video

    In an unusual sight, a shark was spotted navigating through the inundated streets of Fort Pierce, Florida, following severe rainfall. Torrential downpours resulted in significant flooding, trapping vehicles and complicating emergency services' efforts amidst the chaos of stranded cars. The National Weather Service declared flash flood emergencies due to relentless rain, prompting road closures. Recovery initiatives are actively in progress to restore vital services and access for the impacted communities.

    Florida planted Australian pine for shade, windbreaks, and storm protection; by 1993, the fast-growing tree had invaded more than 372,000 acres

    Australian pines were brought to Florida in the 1800s as a means of protecting against storms and enhancing landscapes. By 1993, however, these trees had taken over more than 372,000 acres, leading to harmful impacts on local ecosystems through monocultures. A study following Hurricane Andrew revealed that merely 4% of these trees withstood the severe winds, exposing their shallow root problems.

    The Economic Times
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