Brooklyn residents head to Florida to prep for Miami Carnival as thousands evacuate area ahead of Hurricane Milton

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Hurricane Milton is unleashing its wrath on Florida, threatening to leave a trail of destruction. While thousands desperately evacuate the state, a determined group of carnival-goers from Brooklyn is heading to the Sunshine State for the highly anticipated Miami Carnival this Sunday. Regardless of the chaos, Rolando Jarvis and his team are rallying to prepare for one of the year’s biggest celebrations. “So we arrived at least a good week in advance, so we were actually able to secure our trucks, our generators, and our supplies that we needed for the road - everything that we need to be successful," says Jarvis, who is the band leader of One Island Band. For over two decades, Jarvis and his team have transformed Brooklyn's vibrant energy into one of Miami's largest celebrations, the One Island Band. Despite losing strength and downgrading from a Category 5 to a Category 3 hurricane, Milton's impacts are still far-reaching, affecting some areas of Miami. However, it appears that any lingering effects from the storm will subside before Sunday’s festivities. At One Island, preparations are in full swing. Jarvis emphasized the significance of the carnival, noting that if it were to be canceled, the consequences would be severe. “For you on the band side of things, it will be catastrophic because you've spent a great deal of money to ensure that they do get this experience,” he explained. As many Caribbean people say, “Rain does only stop cricket.” The spirit of the celebration remains, despite the storm’s threat. "