15 dead, millions without power in widespread flooding in Florida after Hurricane Milton

As Hurricane Milton approached Florida’s west coast and an eerie silence reigned in neighborhoods, many residents faced a difficult decision: evacuate or stay put. Although Nearly 7.3 million Floridians in 15 counties are under mandatory evacuationA significant number of people are choosing to stay in their homes.

“This is it, folks,” said Cathie Perkins, Pinellas County Emergency Management Director. “Those of you who were beaten during Hurricane Helene, this will be a knockout. They have to get out, and they have to get out now.”

“Where you are now is where you will be for the duration of Milton,” said Manatee County Emergency Management Chief Matt Myers. “Conditions are deteriorating rapidly.”

However, Vivienne Marran is not being evacuated from St. Petersburg and shared her side of things with CNN on Wednesday morning. “The alternatives weren’t particularly inviting, you know?” she said from her apartment near Tampa Bay.

Two weeks ago, Marran weathered Hurricane Helene, which killed 20 Florida residents and caused widespread destruction. “I mean, they tell us we only have to drive 20 miles inland,” she continued. “But because of the last storm, there’s actually nowhere to go. I mean, I guess they have evacuation areas, but we’ve been through a lot of them, and it’s a concrete building, and I just feel safer here than anywhere else.”

Despite the officials’ urgent pleas including the head of Tampa Fire Rescue, who said, “They have to help us evacuate,” adding, “I’ve never seen anything like this.” Many residents decide to stay. Factors such as the availability of gas, the cost of inland hotels and the potential hassle of returning to potentially flooded properties have influenced their decisions. For many, the thought of another evacuation so soon after Hurricane Helene, especially in the middle of the 2024 hurricane season, is overwhelming.

“It’s kind of like post-traumatic stress disorder,” said Holly Speckhart, who plans to ride out Hurricane Milton with Marran in their five-story building. They plan to pass the time watching Tampa Bay Rays baseball, sipping a Modelo and lounging on inflatable mattresses in an indoor hallway. If necessary, they seek refuge in an interior stairwell. “All my friends from Ohio are mad at me,” added Speckhart, who is originally from Cincinnati. “They keep calling me and saying, ‘You’re going to die.'”

Speckhart said she felt safe despite the potential storm surge of 15 to 20 feet. “The top floors of our building are much higher and some units have hurricane shutters and windows.”