Kentuckian living in Florida braces for Hurricane Irma

September 7, 2017

36Pab,

ORLANDO, Fl. (WTVQ)- Hurricane Irma has the potential to impact millions of Americans in Florida including many with strong connections to Kentucky.

Diante Elcock says he’s experienced his fair share of hurricanes since moving to Orlando about a year ago but says the expectation for this storm and the potential havoc it could reek on Florida is unlike anything he’s ever seen.

Elcock says he spent most of his childhood in Lexington before going to UK and then moving down to Florida a little while after graduating.

He says his first taste of a hurricane was Hurricane Matthew back in 2016 but says the mood now of people preparing for Hurricane Irma is much different.

“I think because of how strong it is and we’ve just seen the damage that it did to the Caribbean and those islands. I think it really has everybody freaked out,” said Elcock.

Elcock says people have been stocking up on the essentials for days already and most of the nearby stores and gas stations can’t keep up with demand.

“There’s no more water. There’s no Gatorade. All the canned foods they’re pretty much depleted,” Elcock.

Elcock says he believes much of the hysteria is due to the devastation Hurricane Harvey reeked on Houston just weeks ago.

He says people, himself included, aren’t sure what to do and if they should prepare for the worst.

“We’re not sure if we want to just barricade the front door so that the water can’t seep in that way or if we have to go as much as to barricade the windows and make sure nothing comes in there,” said Elcock.

Elcock says he is still finalizing his plans for enduring the storm and is crossing his fingers it won’t be as bad as everyone expects.

“Hopefully everything goes well and prayers to the families that have already been affected by Hurricane Irma,” said Elcock.

Elcock says he is still monitoring the forecast and deciding if he is going to stay in Orlando and just ride out the storm or if he will just come back up to Kentucky for a few days to avoid the hurricane altogether.