ODESSA, Florida — Paige Bucheit, who lives with her fiance in a downtown Tampa, Florida, apartment, is hoping Hurricane Ian won’t linger so they can go back home where they left most of this belongings.
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Having grown up in the Dayton area, she’s accustomed to tornadoes.
She told News Center 7′s Haley Kosik that this is is her first time experiencing the power of a hurricane.
“But we have gotten out of there and hunkered down in Odessa,” which is about 30 inland from Tampa, Bucheit said. “So definitely away from the bay and the rising waters there.”
She began stocking up on essentials on Sunday and was met by bare grocery store shelves as Floridians were preparing for the storm.
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“It’s scary, it’s definitely scary. . . ,” she said.
Bucheit said her time in the Miami Valley and her experience dealing with tornadoes helped her get an idea about how to weather the hurricane.
“It does ring close to that I’d say. The best difference here in Florida, no houses have basement, so that was a huge concern,” she said. “Just kind of trying to map out where the safest place in the house would be.”
Tuesday night’s sunset in Odessa gave way to heavy rain and rough winds.
Bucheit said she’s thankful to be with loved ones and family, “all of us kind of weathering this together, so I honestly am hoping for the best for everyone out there and that everyone is safe.”