Controversial influencer, Caroline Calloway, has caused concern among her fans after announcing that she will not be evacuating her house in Florida despite the looming threat of Hurricane Milton. The influencer, known for her Instagram posts documenting her time at Cambridge University, has faced backlash in the past after allegations of using a ghostwriter for her captions surfaced following a viral essay.
In a since-deleted Instagram Story on October 8, Calloway revealed her decision not to evacuate her home located in a mandatory evacuation zone as Hurricane Milton, a Category 4 storm, approached. She expressed her fears, saying, “So if you’ve been following Hurricane Milton, um, I’m going to die! It’s supposed to make landfall in the Sarasota-Bradenton area. I’m in Sarasota, I live on the water, it’s zone A, mandatory evacuation.”
Calloway went on to explain her reasons for staying, citing difficulties in driving, the closure of the airport, and the traumatic experience of a previous evacuation during Hurricane Ian. She recounted how her street had flooded and she was evacuated after days without power or running water by the US military during the last hurricane. The influencer expressed her reluctance to leave for her mother’s house as it was a “very traumatic” experience.
At the time of her posts, Calloway disclosed that she was still at home with her cat, having prepared with backup water in the bathtub in case of power loss. Despite the potentially dangerous situation, she assured her followers that she had provisions but acknowledged the fear surrounding the hurricane.
Taking to social media platform X, Calloway reiterated her decision not to evacuate, prompting mixed reactions from her audience. Some accused her of using the situation to promote her upcoming book, while others expressed concern for her safety and urged her to prioritize the well-being of her cat.
As the hurricane approached, Calloway faced a wave of criticism and concern from her followers, with many urging her to reconsider her decision for the sake of her own safety and that of her pet. The influencer’s refusal to evacuate has sparked a debate online, highlighting the responsibilities and risks associated with using one’s platform during natural disasters.