Denise Díaz, a Cuban residing in Tampa, faced a storm of criticism after choosing not to evacuate her family during Hurricane Milton's passage through Florida. In response, she credits her unwavering faith in God for protecting them from the cyclone's potential devastation.
Through her TikTok account (@denisediaz017), Díaz addressed her critics, declaring, "The power of prayer is immense, and faith can truly move mountains. At my most anxious and fearful moment, I felt a serene peace in my heart, a reassuring voice within me said, 'Stay calm, everything will be fine.'"
Díaz maintained, "I never lost faith," and recounted how, as the storm's intensity grew, she told herself, "The world outside may seem to be ending, but I am certain God will create a protective bubble around my family and home."
She continued, "By God's grace, our house remained dry, and we never lost electricity. The power of prayer is indeed great," emphasized Díaz, a mother of two. In nearly 20 years of living in Tampa, she noted, she has never experienced a hurricane of significant magnitude.
Responding to those questioning her refusal to evacuate, Díaz cited a divine intervention as evidence of prayer's power: "God weakened Hurricane Milton's fury before it could strike Florida."
She added, "Thanks to God, prayer, and our unyielding faith, the hurricane diminished considerably, and Milton made landfall as a category two." As the storm raged, Díaz described the experience as "monstrous" due to the fierce winds and rain.
Despite broadcasting live during the hurricane, Díaz explained that staying in Tampa was a collective family decision, even though evacuation was advised by authorities. "I've been labeled as irresponsible, materialistic, accused of valuing possessions over my family's safety," she remarked. Díaz countered these harsh criticisms by asserting, "I don't owe explanations to people who don't know me."