TRIGGER WARNING I can’t believe some people aren’t evacuating in Florida

[Newsenmum]

I really don’t mean to be insensitive. This hurricane Milton is terrifying but I’m really struggling to understand this. I know there are some awful situations where people can’t drive/are disabled or elderly and feel helpless but what I CAN’T understand is people not trying. Like they’re completely putting their head in the sand.

I’m part of a few mum Facebook groups that are mostly American. I kid you not, people are staying in zones with their little babies where there is mandatory evacuation. Some reasons why they aren’t leaving:

• my dog is aggressive and won’t be allowed in the shelter, so I’m staying put with him and going to hope and pray. Why is the dog worth more than a kid?
• i have too many animals which don’t fit in the car, I’m worried about the chickens (!!) again.. wtf? Basically suicide for their kids because they don’t want to leave chickens!
• im from flORIda so I’ll be fine! Hopefully it’s not as bad as they think. I don’t want to disrupt us. wtf??
• my babies have a block safe room and that’s ‘normally fine’

There are other Americans trying to send them money, urging them to go storm shelters or at least a bit more inland!

These are people in areas that have 15ft storm surge, there is so much debris already around that is going to be trashing their houses. If they want a certain death for themselves then fine but can’t get over them not saving their babies 😭😭😭 all because they won’t leave the bloody chickens that are going to drown either way!!

They’re writing their names with permanent marker on their bodies at least

Surely it is up to them what they do. I know I wouldn't want to stay.

They can't get out at this point.

Money, no fuel left, its bumper to bumper for miles on the roads so they will be stuck in a car rather than a house.

I fully get not leaving their dogs to starve and be terrified as well.

There was one tiktokker who said she was not moving because her 3 month old baby was constipated!!!!!!

But you’d stay with your dog when you’ve got kids? I think it’s completely different when you have children to care for. Their lives need to come first.

I’ve just been on a call with some of my colleagues based in Florida. They’re not evacuating as they have nowhere to go. They have hurricane windows and other protection for their properties and believe they’re safer at home. I think the people there have a better idea about what is safe and what isn’t than we do.

I don't understand. What's this with "TRIGGER WARNING" ?!?

I keep seeing this. Is it just a fashionable thing to say or what?

So they get to choose to let their kid have a traumatic death? I can’t imagine ever doing that to my child.

@Shmoigel that's absolutely ridiculous!!! Poor baby will be petrified when the storm hits!!! Yes some people can't move because they can't afford it/ no fuel.....but the ones who can get out should!!!! I'd rather lose my pets than lose my life!

None of us can say what we would do unless we are there.

I'm not in the habit of judging people going through something terrifying and having to make choices that none of us would ever want to make.

I put it in last minute because it’s incredibly upsetting especially to people with new babies.

I try not to judge until people allow innocent babies to die when they DO have a choice. It’s like they think somehow it’ll be ok if they pray. Genuinely what’s happening on these Facebook groups.

None of us know what we would do in such circumstances. People have choices, even if not everyone agrees.

It’s a bit late for the to change their minds and evacuate now.

I think it is because they are used to hurricanes and therefore perhaps don’t view the danger the same way as we do as they’re telling themselves it will be similar to previous ones - unfortunately that doesn’t seem likely.

You might but maybe they have no choice, like others have said on here.

There are some who are still trying to get out and others who keep saying “nahhh it’ll be fine” even though mums from other stages are trying so hard to help.

It's not really a trigger warning though. For people in this part of the world it's not their first Rodeo. They will have procedures and measures in place. Upping sticks is not always a possible part of the plan. It's a big storm but all the major US News are saying it will be Cat 3 by the time it lands.

they're probably hoping the hurricane will be downgraded and that it's scaremongering

I've just read of a man who lives on a houseboat who is staying as he has nowhere else to go
How terrifying

Nobody has died yet ffs.

You have no real idea of their circumstances.

Coming on here to judge and say "I would never" when you have no idea what you would, or could do is shitty.

Looking at the BBC weather guide right now it’s just a rough storm. Not the horrific wind speeds predicted. Max 75mph.

Some of the sights I’ve seen of abandoned animals. Horrific.
if I couldn’t take mine, I’d stay too.

This.

Plus it's too late to evacuate. They'll be sat in their car in gridlock traffic during the storm.

Many people are boarding up their windows and doors, and planning to weather it in their basement.

Me too.