‘Scared’ Brit trapped in Florida told to take drastic measures as Hurricane Milton hits

The content creator has exclusively revealed what she’s been told to do before the hurricane hits this evening

A ‘scared’ Brit that has been trapped in Florida with the impending landfall of Hurricane Milton expected this evening (9 October) has exclusively shared what precautions she has had to take for tonight.

Kathryn Bateman, better known as @scouseblu on social media, has been posting videos, updating followers on her experience in the Sunshine State as the category five storm roars her way.

Taking primarily to TikTok to reveal the desperation around her in Orlando, videos show just how desperate Americans and tourists were, stocking up on food items, water and toilet paper – flashbacks to the pandemic, anyone?

Bateman previously explained that she and her partner had to visit multiple stores in their search for water and things such as torches, of which there were only two left when she got to Home Depot, which she described as ‘absolutely manic’.

She noticed locals buying wood in bulk to protect their doors and windows before returning to their holiday home, where a letter from the hotel told them they were left to their own devices, as she summarised: “The hotel basically said keep the patio furniture inside, you’re self-catering, you’re on you’re own.”

While other hotels were giving guests free water and toilet paper, she said it was ‘shocking’ that her family were given next to no assistance.

But since these updates, she revealed to LADbible that she has been given some advice ahead of tonight.

The Brit has revealed what officials have told her to do ahead of tonight (Kathryn Bateman)

The Brit has revealed what officials have told her to do ahead of tonight (Kathryn Bateman)

Bateman, originally from Liverpool, went to Orlando for a holiday and hopes to ‘return safely’ on 15 October, after the cyclone is past.

She revealed: “In all honesty, we have been told from local officials to stock up on supplies, stay away from windows, and to not go outside during Wednesday and Thursday evening.”

Mentioning the letter from the hotel again, she said they were left ‘upset’ by their lack of help, though added that officials told them to have a ‘bag ready in case’ they need to ‘evacuate’ to a nearby shelter for protection.

“(We’ve) charged all our power banks in case the power cuts out and we have filled baths up,” she shared, also adding that her, alongside her partner and family, are checking daily updates for flights so that they can leave as soon as it is safe.

Bateman and her family are waiting for their first chance to head home (Kathryn Bateman)

Bateman and her family are waiting for their first chance to head home (Kathryn Bateman)

Bateman then admitted: “We feel scared, as we never have experienced this before. We tried to get flights home, but they said there was none available.

“The priority was families with small children, which we fully understand, they are a priority. Our vacation rep said we have to stock up and stay in.

“We all pray for everyone who will be effect severely by Milton.”

This week, the Foreign Office warned UK citizens across the pond to follow instructions and orders surrounding evacuation, as Milton has been described as ‘life-threatening,’ with high winds and a heavy rainfall forecast.

Airports in Tampa and Orlando have also temporarily ceased operations to and from the UK, leaving numerous holidaymakers stuck in the thick of it all, waiting for updates from airlines.

Featured Image Credit: Tiktok/scouseblu

 

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