Florida residents with Ohio ties detail their plans as Milton makes landfall

CLEVELAND (WJW) – Evacuating Hurricane Milton has been an extreme challenge for Florida residents.

Many are running into gas shortages, extreme traffic delays and gridlock, expensive or limited flights and airport closures, leaving many facing the tough decision to ride out this potentially deadly hurricane.

Very few flights are arriving in Cleveland at Hopkins International Airport on Wednesday. Only one United Airlines flight from Fort Lauderdale arrived around 1 p.m., where many stressed travelers said they are taking no chances.

“They have to leave no matter what, find any family member and take shelter,” Miami resident Pamela Leone said.

Leone hopped on one of the only remaining flights from FLL airport. She knows she’s one of the lucky ones to make it out because driving was simply not an option.

“There’s no gas,” she said. “And the roads getting out to go to the north through Tampa are wall to wall.”

Milton’s wind speeds at landfall are expected to be up to 156 miles per hour, creating storm surges up to 15 feet on Florida’s western coast.

With the travel options limited, some are opting to hunker down and weather the storm.

“The anticipation of knowing what’s actually going to happen is like the scariest part,” Rocky River native Emily Morris said.

Morris and her family moved to Bradenton, Florida three years ago, an area just south of Tampa Bay.

She said her family has been taking the proper steps to prepare, like adding metal siding to their windows, but their home is up to code to withstand hurricanes as well.

“Our house was built after 2012,” she explained. “So the houses in Manatee County are built to like uphold 150 mph winds. The roof and the windows are built to be hurricane proof.”

There are no guarantees when it comes to extreme weather, but the Morris family is confident they’ll make it through. Others arriving in Cleveland are hoping their properties are minimally damaged and that friends sheltering in place remain safe.

“Family is always concerned about whether or not we’re safe being in Florida with the hurricane. So, yes, they’re constantly hounding me, get home, get home,” West Palm Beach, Florida and Fairview Park resident Kristy Slivka said. “First priority is everyone’s safety, for sure.”

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