St. Petersburg Residents Prepare for Impact as Hurricane Milton Approaches

St. Petersburg Residents Brace for Hurricane Milton

As the powerful Hurricane Milton barrels towards the Gulf Coast, thousands of people in Western Florida are evacuating, while others choose to ride out the storm right where they are. An interesting case is that of Megan Engels, a Novi, Michigan native who has decided to weather the storm at her friend’s apartment in St. Petersburg.

Staying Put Amid the Chaos

With storm surge warnings stretching almost the entire length of Florida’s western coast, one might wonder why anyone would opt to stay. Megan shared her story, explaining that the combination of heavy traffic and gas shortages made evacuating feel more daunting than riding out the storm. “The amount of traffic that was on the roads at the time; we were keeping track of the gas shortages and the amount of traffic,” Megan recalled. Living in the Tampa area herself, she explained that a friend offered her a spot in a “non-evacuation zone, a non-flood zone” building.

A Safe Haven

With their cat in tow and enough supplies to last ten days, Megan and her boyfriend felt that her friend’s fourth-floor brick home was a safe haven. “We had a friend in downtown St. Pete who is in a brick building, lives on the fourth floor, who said, ‘Hey, come stay with me. I think we’ll be good,’” she noted. They packed enough food and essentials, and now they are just hunkering down, hoping for the best as Milton approaches.

A Storm to Remember

Hurricane Milton is being described as the first major hurricane to directly hit the Tampa area in over a century. The chilling forecast predicts landfall sometime between 10 p.m. Wednesday and 2 a.m. Thursday, potentially packing winds of up to 155 mph, along with the threat of up to 18 inches of rain, and storm surges reaching heights of 15 feet, according to meteorologists.

Facing Fears

When asked if she was scared, Megan was candid: “Yes. Trying not to be, but I feel like it’s kind of impossible not to be.” While she remains confident in the building’s sturdiness, they are taking precautions such as putting up boards on the windows and placing sandbags against the sliding door. “At this point, power is our biggest concern,” she mentioned. With that in mind, she and her boyfriend are keeping their phones charged and their spirits high.

Understanding from Afar

Interestingly, Megan reflected on the concerns of her family and friends back in Michigan, who don’t fully grasp her decision to stay. “I’ve gotten a ton of texts, which I really appreciated people checking in,” she said, adding that those messages often heighten her anxiety. “They are freaking me out more than anything else, I think. But I think we’ll be OK.”

Community Solidarity

As local communities prepare for the storm, many residents can be seen banding together, lending support to one another during this uncertain time. Whether staying or leaving, the resilience of Floridians shines through the fear that the hurricane brings, highlighting a strong sense of community amidst Mother Nature’s fury.

Conclusion

In these trying moments, whether through caution or bravery, Florida residents like Megan Engels are embodying a spirit of support and resilience that will surely help them navigate the storm ahead. As Hurricane Milton approaches, everyone hopes for safety and good weather in the days to come.