A British holidaymaker has recounted a harrowing experience of being stranded in Florida with his brother and seven young children as Hurricane Milton wreaked havoc in the US. Jordan Sly, originally scheduled to fly back to London with his three children and his brother Zak with his four children, found their plans disrupted as Hurricane Milton approached, forcing the cancellation of their flight.
The group, comprising children aged between four months and 11 years, were tucked into bed by Mr. Sly and his brother in their holiday accommodation in Davenport. However, when the hurricane struck in the early hours of the morning, chaos ensued as alarms blared throughout the property. Mr. Sly described a frantic scene where everyone was screaming, with the children left frightened by the storm’s intensity.
The carbon monoxide and fire alarms sounded, adding to the tense situation. Mr. Sly attempted to reach out to the holiday company for guidance but was simply advised to “ride it out,” leaving him feeling overwhelmed with the responsibility of ensuring the safety of the children amidst the unfolding natural disaster.
Hurricane Milton, a category three storm, resulted in tragic outcomes, including 14 fatalities, 3.4 million power outages, and significant infrastructural damage across the region. Mr. Sly and his family found themselves in a particularly unsettling situation when the eye of the storm passed over their villa, plunging them into an eerie silence before the fierce winds resumed.
The ordeal was further intensified by power outages, casting the property into darkness. The external environment was equally distressing, with the pool overflowing and making evacuation impossible. As the magnitude of the storm became apparent, Mr. Sly and his brother deliberated on seeking safety on an upper floor of the building.
Several hours later, as the storm subsided, the family emerged unscathed but faced the challenge of rearranging their journey back to the UK. Mr. Sly reflected on the turbulent experience, describing it as a “holiday from hell” that tested their resilience. While some family members managed to secure flights home, others, including Mr. Sly’s group, remained in Florida to weather the storm.
Despite the traumatic events, Mr. Sly expressed gratitude that they emerged safely from the ordeal. The family is now eager to depart for their home in Bournemouth, aiming to leave Florida and reunite with loved ones in the UK as soon as possible.