On October 6, 2024, an email was sent out to students and parents of the Academy of the Holy Names alerting them that school would be closed Monday, October 7 through Friday, October 11, due to Hurricane Milton.
Even though at first it was exciting to see a full week of no school, when the news channels were turned on, the gravity of the situation was realized. Barely a week after Helene and the devastation that it brought to Florida, Milton frightened everyone with its predicted category 3 strength and direct Tampa hit.
“I live right off of Bayshore and was very affected by Helene with both my parents cars and mine totalled, when we saw Milton my mom told me to pack everything valuable from my room,” said Mikayla Valdes (26’).
Few people stayed home during Wednesday night October 9 when Milton passed through Tampa. People evacuated to as close as West Tampa, and as far as Alabama and Georgia. Caitlin Kross (26’) lost power as early as Wednesday afternoon before the storm’s landfall, while some in the Ballast Point area never lost power.
The storm surge during the hurricane in Fort Myers Beach, Florida.
“My family decided to head to Auburn University to visit my sister which helped calm our nerves over what could happen and make a vacation out of this,” Rory Martin (26’).
After the storm had passed, girls were left without power, internet, and cable for days. With roofs ripped off of Tropicana Field, and three million without power, the impacts of Milton were clear.
Lieutenant Dan in his boat where he stayed during the entire hurricane and refused to leave.
“I lost my house in Helene so I am staying at a house south of Gandy, and during Milton [we] had to house my grandparents and aunt and make feel at home by cooking and cleaning for them,” Rafaella Rodriguez (26’).
Though Milton brought devastation throughout the community, it also brought togetherness and unity. The day after, neighborhoods came together to collect branches and clear streets, people were rescued, food was donated, and Tampa grew closer than ever. Electricians from across the nation came to help, and from Georgia to Illinois people were sent to help the Bay Area.
“My grandparents decided to stay at my house during the hurricane so they felt safer. I went out with my family to help our family friends whether it was with their houses, or just being there for them,” Olivia Vargas (25’).
Today people are still without homes, food, and family. The Academy staff have put together some ways to give back and help those in need of relief and basic living supplies.
Residents filling sandbags to prevent the large amount of water to come from rainfall and storm surge.
Academy sent out an E-News to community members sharing ways to help those affected: “AHN has arranged to donate our used school furniture to Holy Family Catholic School Early Childhood Center, which had been flooded and is temporarily being housed at Holy Martyrs of Vietnam Catholic Church in St. Petersburg.”
Additionally, “AHN is holding a gift card drive for families who have been hit hard by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. $25 gift cards are requested from the following store brands: Amazon, Target, Publix, Uber Eats, Costco, Sam’s Club, Trader Joe’s, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and any local gas stations.”
To make a gift card contribution, use this Sign-up Genius.
Resources for Hurricane Related Needs
