Some Floridians choose to stay despite warnings of life risk- ‘We have faith in the Lord’

As Hurricane Milton approaches, many cities are becoming ghost towns, yet some residents have decided to ride out the storm at home.

Reporting from Miami, Richard Luscombe observes, “Most residents evacuated when required, but a few opted to stay put, despite officials’ stern warnings that Hurricane Milton could transform their homes into deadly traps. On Wednesday afternoon, Florida’s Gulf Coast was largely deserted, and for those still weighing evacuation, time was running out. Those who remained were urged to shelter in place, while those who left now face uncertainty about what they’ll return to after the storm.”

Amanda Champ, who evacuated Anna Maria Island for Alabama with her husband, kids, and two dogs, expressed her fears: “I’m terrified that I’ll come back to find my house destroyed or my island submerged. I worry my belongings will be scattered, and returning home may not be an option. Honestly, I have no idea what to expect.”

William Tokajer, the police chief of Holmes Beach, advised residents planning to stay behind to write their names, birth dates, and social security numbers on their arms for identification after the storm. His unsettling comments struck a chord with Champ and the tight-knit community of Anna Maria, which has around 1,000 residents. Tokajer stated on Wednesday that he believed no residents chose to remain.

“I firmly believe that material things are just that—things. What truly matters are our memories, our relationships, and how we live our lives,” said Champ, affectionately known as the ‘coconut lady’ for her coconut business catering to locals and tourists. “When we were getting ready to leave, my nine-year-old son said, ‘Mom, I don’t need anything.’ He insisted on taking only clothes, believing that others need our things more than we do.”

Now settled in a condo in Gulf Shores, Alabama, Champ spent her Wednesday preparing her coconut stall for a shrimp festival, a welcome distraction from the impending hurricane. She reflected on the clarity of the evacuation orders communicated by local authorities. “They were actively telling people to leave. We just hope everyone listened and evacuated,” she said.

In Venice, about 40 miles south, Sherry Hall and her family chose to stay in their home, located several blocks from the ocean, despite many neighbors evacuating due to warnings of a potential 15-foot storm surge. Her husband, Tommy, secured their property with shutters and sandbags, and the family stocked up on generators, portable air conditioning units, food, and water to ensure they could remain self-sufficient.

While they avoided the chaos of evacuation routes, Hall admitted her anxiety, recalling the sound of Gulf waves crashing against the beach during previous storms. “I can’t say I’m not worried. My husband and I are okay, but when you have kids, your concern for their safety rises,” she said. “Life threats are serious, but we trust in the Lord and pray for everyone’s safety. Material things can be replaced, but our focus is on the well-being of people.”

As a hospital administrator, Hall noted that while some neighbors left, many remained, making informed choices based on the authorities’ warnings. “The news about the storm was effectively communicated,” she explained. “Officials made it clear that choosing to stay was at one’s own risk and that they wouldn’t be able to assist afterward.”

Christine Bottger, general manager of the Clearwater Beach Holiday Inn, also made the decision to stay. “We’re in a secure area with a solid building, and by the time I would have evacuated, I could have been stranded without a hotel room, possibly even stuck on an interstate—definitely not where I want to be during a storm,” she shared.

Bottger’s hotel had recently experienced significant flooding from Hurricane Helene, and contractors had just begun repairs. Now, with Hurricane Milton on the horizon, she worries that additional wind damage could further delay recovery, although she feels confident in her staff of about 120, whom she considers family, and who are eager to assist in cleanup efforts.

“Even if we can’t reopen for guests, our rooms could provide shelter for first responders and essential workers to expedite the city’s recovery,” Bottger noted. “We can offer comfortable accommodations to the power companies helping to restore infrastructure quickly. The pool and restaurant may be damaged, but we’ll focus on what we can do to help.”

Like Champ and Hall, Bottger emphasized that the warnings from local officials were targeted and impactful, resonating more than broader notifications from state or federal levels. “The city manager and police chief were actively checking the beach before closing access to the barrier islands,” she recalled. “This time, people genuinely seemed to heed the warnings, especially when they saw reports of 180 mph winds. It made them take it seriously.”