Hurricane strands Florida couple in South Dakota

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Hurricane Milton is set to make landfall on Florida’s west-central gulf coast late Wednesday.

As people in Florida prepare for Hurricane Milton, Sarasota, Florida resident, Deborah Atkinson, is hoping for the best while she is in Sioux Falls visiting family.

“You know, it is difficult not to be where your loved ones and your property is. However, we are in an evacuation zone, so you batten down the hatches, and you leave,” Deborah Atkinson said

As of now, she can’t fly back home.

“Allegiant sent us an email that said, ‘Your flight is impacted by the hurricane. It’s been canceled. We’re refunding your money. You’re free to book another flight when the airport opens,'” Deborah Atkinson said.

Deborah has been the voice behind KELOLAND promos for 13 years. Deborah and her husband, Stan, live in a home that is directly in the path of the hurricane and about 1,300 feet from the bay. Some docks along the bay are also already damaged because of Hurricane Helene.

“It’s a little scary. I’ve been through a few hurricanes, but usually, the Tampa area pretty much gets side-skirted, and it never really seems to hit very often, but this one seems to be coming right straight at our house, and it’s a little disconcerting,” Deborah’s husband, Stan Atkinson said.

Deborah’s father and Stan’s mother, sister and children are still in Florida.

“I think everybody is smart enough to know that they’re in an evacuation zone. They need to get out, and my mother is in an elderly care center. I think my kids will go stay with her, and I think everybody’s going to be okay,” Stan Atkinson said.

But as the hurricane approaches, Deborah and Stan are still keeping good spirits.

“Your home is a place of peace and love, but it is, at the end of the day, a structure. Life is worth more than your things, and if it goes, you start over, you rebuild and you go on,” Deborah Atkinson said.

Stan’s mother lives in a facility that is rated for a category five hurricane. Deborah’s father is in an assisted living facility off the coast that can withstand a category three storm.

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