My daughter and her family evacuated.
By Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (37104)
October 8, 2024 5:53pm CST
I talked of this yesterday. They only evacuated one other time, about 6 years ago, when there was a big surge predicted. They lived in a different house then, and were in a zone that always flooded. They bought a different home after that.
They are in the evacuation zone, but their home has never flooded and it's not a new home. At first they thought it would be fine, they have a generator, all the needed things and are prepped for a big storm. But then the winds...that's the thing. They have huge trees around their house. They decided to evacuate, and are now in Jacksonville at a friend's home. They took their truck, loaded up the little guys and all that they could cram into the truck in case it was needed, some extra gas, foods, etc.
They are now safely there, and I am very relieved. We can always get a home for them if we have to, but we can't replace people.
I am so, so glad they evacuated. This storm is one of the scariest ones I have ever followed. I've lived through some whoppers...but this one just looks so bad. If you live in it's path, please try to be safe!
21 people like this
18 responses
@snowy22315 (180361)
• United States
9 Oct
Poor Florida..they are always getting walloped.
6 people like this
@MarieCoyle (37104)
•
9 Oct
Yes, they are. But it's basically the tropics down there.
4 people like this
@MarieCoyle (37104)
•
9 Oct
I was relieved, too! My mama heart was nearly frantic!
4 people like this
@AmbiePam (92384)
• United States
9 Oct
@MarieCoyle Oh, Marie, I can’t even imagine. The whole situation sounds horrific.
3 people like this
@MarieCoyle (37104)
•
9 Oct
@AmbiePam
I fear that many people won’t evacuate and will lose their lives. I hope I am wrong.
3 people like this
@kaylachan (69229)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
9 Oct
I'm glad that she evucated, although probably shouldn't have gone to Jax. But, still glad she made it safe.
2 people like this
@kaylachan (69229)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
9 Oct
@MarieCoyle Having lived here, I just said that because of the storm surge risk. But, at the same time, if those friends live far enough inland they should be safe.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (37104)
•
9 Oct
@kaylachan
The house is way inland so we think it won’t flood there. Hopefully, it won’t.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (37104)
•
9 Oct
It was basically where they could go. They have close friends, but the close friends all have families staying with them, and the friend in Jax called them and offered, it's far from perfect but it's way better than staying home at this point. They called hotels, bed and breakfasts, Air BNB's....nothing in any safer place was open at all, and many were evacuating their properties.
2 people like this
@rakski (121998)
• Philippines
9 Oct
@MarieCoyle
true. I saw it in the news that there is still a lot of debris and stuff that was left on the road during hurricane Helene and that is scary
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (37104)
•
9 Oct
@rakski
Even though everyone there and in the path of the hurricane have been told to secure/put away everything from their yards, etc. they don't all do that. Kids toys, bicycles, flower pots, etc--all can become deadly flying objects.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (37104)
•
9 Oct
Yes, it certainly is. Tomorrow evening and through the night, the winds where they live in St. Petersburg will be over 100 mph. That's concerning enough, but add in the flying debris and the monsoon like rains, and it's a nightmare. I am glad they got out of there!
3 people like this
@sallypup (60954)
• Centralia, Washington
9 Oct
@MarieCoyle There's a fancy nursing home down in that area that my rich aunt used to live in. I hope those folks are well.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (37104)
•
9 Oct
@sallypup I hope they are safe, it’s hard to move some of these people.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (177847)
• United States
9 Oct
I'm glad your daughter and her family evacuated. I hope all those in the evacuation area took the order seriously. Have a good day.
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (177847)
• United States
9 Oct
@MarieCoyle I hope they're all OK.
You're welcome.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (37104)
•
10 Oct
@LindaOHio
They are very glad they left, they wanted to keep the babies safe. Thank you.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (37104)
•
9 Oct
I may have trouble with the good day thing...other than my daughter and her family, I have other family in Florida (on my own side of the family) that I am concerned about as well. I hope more people take it seriously, too. Thank you, Linda.
1 person likes this
@much2say (55512)
• Los Angeles, California
9 Oct
Thank goodness your daughter and her family were able to get to safety in time! I'm following what I can on the storm . . . I've been through major earthquakes here, but never a super wet and windy weather event like a hurricane. May everyone stay safe and that their properties stay in tact!
1 person likes this
@much2say (55512)
• Los Angeles, California
13 Oct
@MarieCoyle I hope everything fared well for them now that it is post-storm. A storm like that, better to be safe than sorry. I guess when folks experience these things enough, they think this'll be another one that they can get through . . . but yah, this one came with a HUGE warning label 
.
.1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (37104)
•
9 Oct
This storm just looks truly wicked. I know from living in the south in the past, some people never, ever evacuate, they think they will be fine...but I think this one is just a whopper. I hope more people took it seriously. Like you say, hope they stay safe. Thank you so much.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (37104)
•
13 Oct
@much2say
They are home now. Still no power, but some are starting to get theirs restored, so maybe not too terribly long. Some places are giving out a free 10 gallons of gas, but my daughter said the lines for that is literally miles long...they have enough gas to run the generator for one more day. She is hoping that the power will come back on by then. Thank you so much.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (471253)
• Switzerland
10 Oct
@MarieCoyle - It seems that the worst is over, Milton is losing power.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (37104)
•
9 Oct
I couldn't hardly sleep at all (so what else is new, haha?) I hope people take this storm seriously. Thank you, Anna.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (37104)
•
10 Oct
@LadyDuck
Now the shock of it all, the water everywhere, flooded roads and homes, and people have to dig in and dig out...so, so much work and destruction in some places.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (105819)
• Marion, Ohio
9 Oct
Glad they got where they were going safely and hope the house takes the storm so they don't lose anything
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (37104)
•
9 Oct
We are nearly positive that there will be some damage to pretty much everyone's home there at this point. Hours of 100+mph winds will peel off shingles, knock down trees, and send things flying everywhere. They have hurricane windows and storm shutters are up, and they completely boarded up the front and back doors so the wind wouldn't try to blow them in. Time will tell.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (37104)
•
9 Oct
We are hopeful for that, but with what the winds are forecasted to be, there will probably be some damage. Thank you, Eva.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (37104)
•
9 Oct
I know that people were told to leave as soon as possible. But yet some still stay. That is one big whopper storm.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (37104)
•
9 Oct
I'm sure you are anxious, it's very fresh and you are there in the aftermath...it's hard for you, too.
2 people like this
@aninditasen (16377)
• Raurkela, India
9 Oct
That's really something to worry about. Hope they can move to a safer home soon.
1 person likes this
@aninditasen (16377)
• Raurkela, India
14 Oct
@MarieCoyle That's something nice to hear.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (37104)
•
9 Oct
Their own home is really safe, made of stone and not in a flood zone. However, no one can control wind or a hurricane, and this one could be terrible. I am just glad they are away from the heart of the storm. Thank you.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (37104)
•
14 Oct
@aninditasen
It would be good if their power would be back on, but not yet. They have a huge generator. It's hard to find gas close to her house right now, they have enough gas to run the generator until later tonight only, so I hope the power comes back on before they run out. Thank you.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (37104)
•
16 Oct
@nela13
They finally have their power back on! It just lacked a few hours of being 7 days without power. They have been running a generator and chasing endless gas for it all week since they returned. But they are safe, and we are very grateful. Thank you.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (37104)
•
15 Oct
They have two very small sons, so keeping them safe was top priority. Thank you so much.
1 person likes this
@jefferson126 (3262)
• Shenzhen, China
9 Oct
Glad to know your daughter and family are safe,a big storm is really scary,and likely to casue flood.hope the storm can pass very soon.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (37104)
•
9 Oct
It won’t pass through Florida fast enough, and will do a lot of damage.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160611)
• United States
9 Oct
I am sure that is a big relief for you.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (37104)
•
13 Oct
I just hope the power comes back on sometime soon. They will be out of gas for the generator in another day. Thank you.
@MarieCoyle (37104)
•
9 Oct
Yes, it's better to be proactive than to just pretend nothing is happening. Things and houses can be replaced, but not people. Thank you.
1 person likes this
@thedevilinme (4126)
• Northampton, England
9 Oct
The risk here is the tidal surge coming in on flat old Florida , highest point in the stat just 106,
1 person likes this
@RevivedWarrior (2160)
• India
10 Oct
Precaution is better than cure! Glad your daughter and family left to Jacksonville. With huge trees around and strong winds, it is better to taek precaution than to take unwanted risks. It is not worth the risk especially when you have children. Good that they have carried whatever is possible , should have the stocks keep them company for sometime. We can build homes but we cannot save lives. I have once been near a tornado and a bad storm , the power came back only after 2 days! Luckily there was less damage. Hope Florida would not have much issues.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (37104)
•
11 Oct
They drove home, got there this evening finally. Appears to be no damage, but they haven't been up on the roof yet. Their roof is only 2 years old, but two of their neighbors lost all of their roof shingles in the storm, so they want to be sure theirs is OK. Other than no power, it appears they have no damage. They were very fortunate. Thank you.
1 person likes this
