A Cuban woman living in Florida took to social media to share her harrowing experience evacuating with her family in the face of Hurricane Milton. Yeli Sosa, a resident of Spring Hill in Hernando County, spent days debating whether to stay or leave before the storm's severity forced her decision to evacuate.
"Whatever happens, I hope when I return home everything is intact because it's truly worrying," she expressed in a TikTok video. Yeli, a mother of two, boarded up her windows and packed important documents, computers, and appliances into her car, which she parked in the garage.
"If you're in an evacuation zone, please take care, God bless you, and try to stay safe," she urged, admitting that mere hours before leaving, she was still uncertain of their destination as she prepared to leave with her husband, two children, and their dog.
Stressful Days Leading Up to the Evacuation
Describing the recent days as extremely stressful, Yeli mentioned sleepless nights and frayed nerves. Despite her home not being in a flood zone, she chose to seek safety further away, leaving behind friends who decided to stay.
Even the long lines of cars on Florida's highways, causing significant traffic delays, did not deter her decision to leave. The state faces massive evacuations as Hurricane Milton approaches.
Statewide Impact and Warnings
Florida is experiencing widespread road congestion, with many residents waiting until the last moment to seek refuge in safer areas, now finding themselves desperate and exposed to the approaching storm.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) recently reported that Hurricane Milton, with sustained winds of 124 mph, has weakened to a Category 3 storm but remains formidable. The NHC has warned of ongoing tropical-storm-force winds and heavy rainfall, with multiple tornado warnings issued across the Florida peninsula.
"If a tornado warning is issued for your area, be prepared to quickly seek shelter, ideally away from windows and in an interior room not prone to flooding," the NHC advised.