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A Saskatoon woman says she and her travel companion are planning to ride out Hurricane Milton in Orlando, Florida over the next several days instead of evacuating.
Natalia Klein and her friend flew to Orlando last weekend knowing that a tropical storm was coming, but when they arrived the forecast changed and the tropical storm turned into one of the largest ever recorded.
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“We got here two days ago now, and when we first left it was just supposed to be a tropical storm that might have heavy rains over in Tampa — and then we get here and off the plane and all of a sudden it’s upgraded to a Category 4 hurricane, and now it’s a Category 5 hurricane. We’re just doing the best we can right now,” Klein explained.
The U.S. National Weather Service says Hurricane Milton is forecast to make landfall along the West Coast of the Florida Peninsula early Thursday morning, and destructive, potentially catastrophic storm surge, very heavy rainfall and a few tornadoes will begin as early as Wednesday.
Much of the state’s densely populated west coast is under evacuation order.
Despite the calls to get out, Klein was at Disney World yesterday and said the park was still pretty busy.
“Everything seems to be going on as normal,” Klein said yesterday. “But as you’re standing in line you’re hearing about how everyone from out of town is going to be hunkering down in hotel rooms for the next two days. Everyone knows what’s going on, but is enjoying their holiday.”
Klein added while most people are staying in a hotel, she’s planning to ride out the storm in her Airbnb.
“We’re kind of worried because we’re in an Airbnb, and it’s just like a house. All the neighbours are boarding up their windows, but you can’t really board up the windows of an Airbnb without paying for damages, so we’re just going to wait until it’s over,” she said.
Klein added her Airbnb host hadn’t exactly been responsive, and suggested they’re on their own for the time being.
In advice to people sheltering in place for the storm, the Florida Division of Emergency Management, says homes built after 2002 may be to hurricanes “as long as the roof, hurricane straps, windows, doors, and garage door are in proper condition”
It adds that it is “very important that windows, doors and garage doors be impact resistant or have a protective covering (rated hurricane shutters, or properly secured 5/8 inch plywood) properly secured to the opening.”
Despite the lack of communication from her Airbnb host, Klein is confident they’ll be able to make it through the storm safely.
“We’ve stocked up on water, we’ve stocked up on food and we have cash for three to four days,” she said. “Everything is prepared, so we’ll just see what happens.”
— with files from CKOM News
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