Dennis O’Connor Badaramenti Despite living in Florida and witnessing countless hurricanes over the decades, Helen is more anxious than ever.
“I think this is what’s going to happen,” the 62-year-old told BBC News from her Bradenton home, located just a few streets from the water, as the storm neared landfall.
“We’re always in situations where we’re likely to be targeted and then sparred at the last minute, but I don’t think we’ll ever be so lucky again.”
Her mother’s house has flooded six times over the years, and this morning water was already rising in the driveway. Her family taped all their doors shut to prevent flooding.
“This is really huge. It’s scary,” said O’Connor Badalamenti.
She said she followed instructions from emergency officials to stock up on supplies and had a variety of food items ready in case the power went out.
“We are preparing for the worst.”
Michael BobbittA clam farmer on Cedar Key Island in Florida’s Big Bend said some in his community decided to stay behind despite warnings.
“The last few hours have been a frantic effort to beg people to leave.” Mr Bobbit, 48, told the BBC on Thursday before the storm made landfall.
“Here in Florida, I believe we will just get through it. It’s not a big deal. But this is not one of those storms.”
He added that local residents were trying to “sandbag as many buildings as possible”, board up windows and secure the island’s clam beds.
“The mood is somber,” Mr Bobbitt said.
“When many people leave the island, they hug each other and cry, saying, ‘I wish I had a home to go back to.’”
