Clermont, Florida resident survives Hurricane Milton, steps up to help devastated community
Hours before Hurricane Milton hit, some friends and I took our jet skis out to check on the neighborhood. It felt far more difficult than I expected. The waves and wind became intense, and it felt like being in the middle of the sea. The rain was so heavy it formed a wall of water, obscuring both shores.
- 2 months ago
October 24, 2024
A once-sturdy deck sits destroyed by the flooding from Hurricane Milton. | Photo courtesy of Matt Manzari
FLORIDA, United States — After living in Florida for years, preparing for storms became second nature. Hurricane Milton, however, became the strongest storm I faced as an adult. The rain and winds raged like an apocalyptic movie. I prepared myself, then helped my neighbors and community brace for impact. Amid the chaos, I felt determined to persevere. Together, we will rebuild our lives.
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Clermont local braces for hurricane Milton
On Sunday, October 6, 2024, I was in Texas for an event. I planned to stay longer, but news of Hurricane Milton hitting Clermont reached me and I rushed home. After a layover in Atlanta, I arrived home at 3:00 a.m. on Monday, eager to be with my wife and kids.
My house sits on the edge of a lake, and the water level already rose due to a previous storm. With the wind blowing directly toward my property, I relied on a special retaining wall I built when we moved in, designed to last a hundred years. Unfortunately, it could not withstand Hurricane Milton.
Initially, authorities issued no evacuation orders, though the storm’s forecast shifted frequently. We took in friends from areas under immediate evacuation. Tensions rose as fuel shortages caused long lines at gas stations, where people distributed only small amounts, leaving many worried about being stranded.
At home, I secured all the garden items to prevent them from flying in the wind and causing damage. I put away what I could and ensured everything else was stabilized. Next, I helped my neighbors. Many called me for advice about securing boats and docks, especially those new to Florida who felt scared and uncertain.
Having gone through difficult experiences, including being electrocuted and enduring over 70 surgeries, I learned to maintain a positive attitude. My goal was to bring encouragement and humor to the situation, helping everyone come together during this tough time.
Hours before Hurricane Milton hit, some friends and I took our jet skis out to check on the neighborhood. It felt far more difficult than I expected. The waves and wind became intense, and it felt like being in the middle of the sea. The rain was so heavy it formed a wall of water, obscuring both shores.
Streaming live on TikTok: “All around me, trees wobbled and fell.”
I returned home, but around 2:00 a.m. when the storm reached its peak, I went out again. My friend’s wife said, “Are you crazy? Stay inside,” but my wife, accustomed to my ways, explained it was typical for me. Though experienced in water sports, I felt real fear when lightning struck close by, hitting just two feet from my house. It broke a tree and damaged a roof. Trees began falling in the strong winds.
My neighbor’s house flooded, so I drove to borrow tools to help protect it. I started streaming live on TikTok, and about 5,000 people logged on to see what was happening. However, when I started driving to get the tools, they blocked me for streaming while driving. I did not realize it was against the rules.
All around me, trees wobbled and fell. Initially, I drove at a normal speed, but as fallen trees became harder to spot through the rain, I slowed down. I navigated around the trees by driving on the grass or finding alternative roads. It felt like an apocalyptic movie—traffic lights flying, alarms blaring, and the streets eerily deserted.
After getting the tools, I worked at my neighbor’s house, placing flaps to divert water. We spent hours in the rain, trying to lower the water levels. At one point, I watched the retaining wall between the lake and my garden collapse due to the strong winds. Fortunately, our elevated house avoided flooding, but the wind shook the windows, terrifying my children. One window blew out and a leak started, so we used towels and sheets to quickly dry the area and protect the furniture.
Supporting each other in the wake of Hurricane Milton
At 5:00 a.m., the winds began to pick up, and by 10:00 a.m., the rain finally stopped. I felt exhausted, having not slept well in days. I wanted to get some rest, but calls started pouring in. Friends from other states checked in to see if I was okay, while people nearby wanted updates on our house. I went outside, and it was a total mess, with damage everywhere. Along with some friends, we came up with a plan to help others, especially the elderly in our community. We organized shifts and drove around with saws, clearing trees that blocked the roads.
In times like this, you see the best and worst in people. Scammers began calling, pretending to offer help, only to steal people’s financial information. Fake contractors took money for repairs and disappeared without doing the work. Fortunately, we see most people stepping up to help. I remind people, you do not need to hire anyone. There are plenty of volunteers with trailers, trucks, or saws willing to lend a hand.
I am one of them. After being electrocuted and told I had little time left, I face each day with gratitude for life. Helping others is the best thing I can do. In times of crisis, supporting each other builds strong bonds and brings about real change. That’s what life is about: helping others and ourselves.
