Residents of Plant City, Florida, were left stunned as floodwaters trapped guests at a Holiday Inn located east of Tampa. The unprecedented flooding shocked locals who had never witnessed water levels rise so high, reaching far inland.
The Holiday Inn manager, Brenda Coleman, who has been a resident of the area for 14 years, expressed her disbelief at the severity of the situation. She, along with hotel guests and her 77-year-old mother, Patricia Meier, braved the impact of Hurricane Milton as floodwaters began to inundate the hotel.
As the water started to seep into the lobby, reaching a depth of one foot, Coleman swiftly took action by relocating ground-level guests to higher floors. Despite the challenging circumstances, she remained focused on ensuring the safety of everyone present. The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office deployed an amphibious vehicle to rescue individuals stranded at the hotel, successfully evacuating all occupants without any reported injuries.
Reflecting on the damage caused by the flooding, Coleman expressed her emotional turmoil, stating, 'I always tried to treat this hotel like it's mine, so to see this – it's hard.' Tears welled up in her eyes as she recounted the ordeal.
The resilience and quick thinking demonstrated by Brenda Coleman and the authorities in response to the crisis highlight the importance of preparedness and community support during natural disasters. The incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of weather events and the necessity of coming together to ensure the safety and well-being of all individuals affected.
