Hurricane Milton has affected millions of people on the coasts of Florida as well as the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico. On Oct.7, the storm was first classified as a category five hurricane, at winds of 180 miles per hour, and the hurricane fell into a category three storm as it hit land in the Siesta Keys on Oct. 9, according to AP News. Although the hurricane took place over 1,000 miles from Hinsdale, it still affects students at Hinsdale Central.
Many students at Hinsdale Central have expressed how they are worried for the residents in Florida who are affected by the hurricane.
According to AP News, Milton is the second most extreme hurricane in the Atlantic Gulf of Mexico, following Hurricane Rita which took place in 2005. The hurricane is following Hurricane Helene which impacted Florida just two weeks ago.
The governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis, announced that Florida was in a state of emergency and it was soon approved by President Joe Biden. DeSantis ordered citizens in the direct path of the hurricane to evacuate immediately and 15 million people were under flood watches in Florida.
“I have seen that the governor of Florida said that if you choose not to evacuate there is a good chance that you will die,” said Franklin Chemmachel, junior.
Other students discuss what they have heard on social media and the news about the hurricane.
“[I have heard] that the people staying are writing their date of birth on their arms so that when police find their body they will know who they are, and I thought that it was horrifying to hear,” said Christy O’Malley, junior.
Family and friends of students at Hinsdale Central that live in Florida are affected by the hurricane.
“My grandma lives down there and I have other relatives that live there. All of them evacuated and put safety first which was very good,” said O’Malley.
Other student’s families had their property damaged due to the storm.
“I was really worried about my grandma who lives [in Florida]. Her house was badly flooded, but luckily she evacuated and came to Chicago,” said Caitlin Leddy, junior.
Even though the hurricane ended on Oct. 12, it is a very sad time for the families and friends of students at Hinsdale Central who are affected by the hurricane.
