As Hurricane Milton batters Florida, with winds reaching 100 mph, residents are taking extreme measures. Pedro Casares of Orlando strapped down his one-story house with six massive yellow straps to the roof and ground in preparation. Two fatalities have been reported, and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis confirmed 19 tornadoes across the state. Theme parks like SeaWorld, Universal Orlando, and Walt Disney World have closed, and Florida authorities are urging citizens to stay indoors as videos of the storm go viral.
Pedro’s unique solution drew attention online, with some joking that he’d be sitting in his “new living room swimming pool” while others’ houses float away. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor reminded people to remain inside as the storm’s impact continues, though the lack of a predicted storm surge has been a relief. However, flooding from high tides is still a concern, and Disney’s closures could cost them up to $200 million in losses.