Arkansans in Florida experience Helene firsthand

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – While Arkansas is experiencing the remnants of Helene, some Arkansans experienced the brunt of the storm firsthand.

The wind and rain of Hurricane Helene hit Florida Thursday night where Ryan Rucker visited his family earlier this week.

“Even in the room sometimes it sounded like someone was banging on the window because it was blowing so hard with it,” Rucker said. “You had to like brace yourself. If you weren’t paying attention it could’ve knocked you over, definitely.”

He ended up helping his mother get her out of her home and into a hotel room as the hurricane got closer to land, hoping her home and belongings would still be there the next day.

“We tried to get everything up on the couches and beds,” Rucker said.

When preparing for the storm, flooding was a main concern. Thankfully he said they haven’t seen too much of that where they are, but with damage like trees down and debris everywhere, they’ve only been able to get about five miles away from their hotel.

Rucker said some members of his family don’t have power.

“I talked to my niece not too long ago and they’ve been out for 17 hours now,” Rucker said.

Teena Johnson is vacationing in Fort Walton Beach, just west of where the storm really hit. While they weren’t in the direct path, she said they were ready to evacuate if needed.

“We had a plan, that if we needed to leave, we could pack up and leave and come home,” Johnson said.

Johnson and Rucker are safe but both said they feel for the thousands of people whose lives are forever changed.

“Yeah we’re very lucky that no one in my family got hurt,” Rucker said.

Both will be heading back to Arkansas soon. This weekend they’re hoping they’ll be able to make it back safely.

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