Orlando home survived intact

Pedro Casares' homePhoto byTwitter

In a move that has captured the hearts and imaginations of people across the nation, Orlando resident Pedro Casares has become the latest "Florida Man" to make headlines for his unique approach to hurricane preparedness. As Hurricane Milton barreled towards Florida, Casares decided to strap down his entire house to the ground, hoping to protect it from the storm's wrath.

Casares, originally from Puerto Rico, spent a whopping $22,000 on custom-made straps and cement anchors to secure his home. The straps, embedded eight feet into the ground, were designed to withstand up to 5,400 pounds of force. The image of his house, front-to-back with yellow bands, quickly went viral on social media, with many praising his ingenuity and determination.

The term "Florida Man" is often used in a somewhat derogatory fashion to describe the quirky and sometimes bizarre news stories that emerge from the state. However, in this case, Casares' efforts have earned him admiration and respect from people far and wide. His daughter, Raisa, shared a video on TikTok showing the aftermath of the storm, revealing that their home remained intact while others in the area suffered significant damage.

"Thankfully, we're good," Raisa said in the video. "There's just a lot of leaves everywhere, but everything is still intact. There's a lot of affected areas near our home, but we're not taking the straps off until hurricane season is over!"

Be prepared

Casares' story has resonated with many, especially those who have experienced the devastating effects of hurricanes firsthand. His proactive approach and willingness to go to great lengths to protect his home have made him a local hero. The family's home, located in a "no-flood" zone, avoided water damage, and not a single shingle or tile was lifted from the roof.

Damaged homePhoto byLibrary of CongressonUnsplash

As Hurricane Milton passed through Florida, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake, Casares' house stood strong, a testament to his hard work and dedication. The storm, which peaked as a category five before leveling to a category three, caused widespread devastation, with at least 16 people losing their lives and millions left without power.

Despite the chaos, Casares' efforts paid off, and his home remained unscathed2. The story has been shared widely on social media, with many people expressing their admiration for his resourcefulness. As one comment on Twitter put it:

"This is the most Florida thing I've ever seen."

Resilience and creativity

Casares' daughter, Raisa, has continued to update their followers on the condition of their home, sharing videos and photos of the aftermath. "We tried to do our best to secure what's ours," she said in one video. "My parents came a long way to the United States and really had to bust their butts to get to where they're at."

In the end, Pedro Casares' story is a reminder of the resilience and creativity that can emerge in the face of adversity. While the term "Florida Man" may sometimes be used to highlight the state's eccentricities, on this occasion, it celebrates a man who went above and beyond to protect his home and family. And in this case, Florida Man won.

Do you think that the term 'Florida Man' should be used in a derogatory fashion when it refers to the actions of people like Pedro Casares? Did your property survive the recent tropical storms or do you wish you'd taken preventative action like this Florida Man? Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below.