Hurricane Milton Forced Nepali Floridians to Evacuate Homes During Major Dashain Festival; All Reported Safe

Hurricane Milton forced many Nepalis in Florida to evacuate their homes just before the main day of the Hindu festival Dashain. However, according to the Nepali Association of Florida, all Nepalis have been reported safe.

The association’s secretary, Madhu Nepal, stated that while many Nepalis sought shelter in various locations due to the hurricane, many have already begun returning home. Some Nepalis traveled to neighboring states like Georgia, stayed with friends and family, or rented Airbnbs for safety.

Despite the disruptions, most Nepalis plan to celebrate Dashain, a 15-day festival celebrating the victory of good over evil, at home. Dashain, which began on October 3, is a time for family reunions, gift-giving, and traditional rituals. The Nepali community in the U.S. is actively participating in the celebrations.

While most Nepalis were able to evacuate, some stayed in their homes due to lack of other options. Tampa was particularly impacted, with many Nepalis facing power outages. However, there have been no reports of significant damage, according to Madhu Nepal.

Hurricane Milton caused widespread destruction across Florida, leaving millions without power and destroying numerous homes.  The storm brought heavy rainfall and flooding to many areas, leading to a state of emergency and suspension of emergency services in several counties.

This is the second deadly hurricane to hit Florida in two weeks. Experts warn that climate change is intensifying storms, increasing the likelihood of severe hurricanes.

Florida is home to thousands of Nepalis. According to the 2020 census, 2,547 Nepalis reside in the state, although this number is considered an undercount. The Nepali population in Florida increased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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