As Hurricane Milton slams into Florida, residents brace for impact. More FM’s Sarah & Flynny spoke to Raisa and her family from their home in Orlando, who shares they’re doing everything possible to survive the storm’s fury, using engineering ingenuity and sheer will to protect their lives and property.
Raisa’s partner, Mohammed Nijem is separated from her almost 2000km away in Chicago, and can’t do much but pray. But his girlfriend’s father has taken matters into his own hands, transforming their home into a fortress against the storm.
“Essentially, he just tied the house down to protect everything he's got,” Mohammed explains. “Windows are boarded up, cars are wrapped up, and the anchors [that strap down the house] go down into the cement 10 inches deeper. He basically perfected it.”
This isn’t his first rodeo. The house survived a previous hurricane with the same methods, but as Mohammed shares, being away from his partner is “probably one of the most stressful things.”
“I think I just keep on checking the news in regards to all of it.” His voice tightens as he expresses the fear and helplessness he feels being so far away from his loved ones.
Meanwhile, in Orlando, Raisa is living the terrifying reality of the storm's arrival. “Right now, the winds are slowly picking up. We can actually hear the straps kind of go up and down in the middle of a roof,” she says, describing the surreal soundscape as the house fights to stay together.
As the power flickers on and off, the howling winds create a haunting sensation: “It sounds like there is a big train going through my house every time the wind hits the house,” Raisa says, her voice trembling. With her nine-year-old daughter and five-year-old autistic son at her side, Raisa is holding on tight. “My daughter is kind of more freaking out... but we’re pretty much sh*tting bricks, to be honest with you.”
“I’m praying that they are in good hands with God and that they're safe,” Mohammed says, his voice heavy with emotion. “When I hear back, I think I will be at a little more ease.” Until then, he, like so many others, watches the news with bated breath, hoping that his girlfriend’s father’s daring efforts are enough to keep his family safe from Hurricane Milton's wrath.
Will their home withstand the fury of Milton, or will the storm overwhelm even the best preparations? The world watches and waits, hoping this family's story will end in safety, not tragedy.
