Floridians Brace for Hurricane Milton After Recent Devastation from Hurricane Helene
Residents of Florida are anxiously preparing for the impact of Hurricane Milton, their second major storm in just three weeks. The rapid succession of storms is causing immense stress, particularly as Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall on Wednesday, Oct. 9, after intensifying across the Gulf of Mexico.
Communities along Florida’s Gulf Coast are still recovering from the devastating effects of Hurricane Helene, which hit as a Category 4 storm in late September. Streets are still littered with debris, and now, with warnings in place for another potentially destructive event, many Floridians are feeling overwhelmed.
Angelina Stow, a local resident, expressed her concern while stopping for gas in Georgia, saying, “It’s scary. We don’t know what’s going to happen. We’re kind of blind right now.”
Emotional Toll of Consecutive Hurricanes
For some, the emotional strain of back-to-back hurricanes is intense. Renae Davis, from St. Petersburg, shared her anxiety when she found out about the incoming storm: “When the storm was projected to hit us dead on, I had a couple of good crying sessions just preparing to have nothing when we came back.”
Local officials are urging residents to evacuate or take serious precautions. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor issued a stark warning on Monday, Oct. 7, saying, “If you choose to stay in one of those evacuation areas, you’re going to die.” Castor emphasized the unprecedented nature of the situation: “Anyone born and raised in the Tampa Bay area has never seen anything like this before. People need to get out.”
Rising Concern Over Storm Surge and Evacuations
Many residents, taking heed of the warnings, are opting to evacuate. Jake Keglor from Seminole, who typically stays during hurricanes, decided to leave this time after experiencing the devastation caused by Helene. “I had never seen the stuff that we saw,” he said, indicating how drastically his perspective had changed.
Others, like Jose Lopez, are also evacuating for the first time. “We’ve been here since 2007, and this is the first time we’ve evacuated,” he shared with WPLG.
Struggles of the Most Vulnerable
For some, the back-to-back storms are not only emotionally draining but also financially devastating. Ninda Menegias, who lost her home in St. Petersburg during Hurricane Helene, is now facing another evacuation. “It’s a mobile home, but I paid a lot of money,” Menegias said, adding, “I lost everything. I don’t know what to do.”
Similarly, military veteran Walter Smutz, who became homeless after Helene flooded his home, shared his fears for the future. “Right now, I’m homeless and scared to death,” Smutz said. “I just want a home. I don’t care what kind of home.”
As Florida braces for Hurricane Milton, the focus is on survival, safety, and an uncertain recovery for many residents still reeling from the previous storm. The upcoming days will be critical in determining how communities cope with the impact of this second major hurricane.
Source : people.com
