An Irish woman has been left stranded in her Florida hotel as Hurricane Ian made its way towards Florida - since causing huge levels of destruction.
Pip Kelly described how the streets are deserted and shelves in shops are empty as Floridians stockpile supplies in scenes reminiscent of the first Covid lockdown.
Millions of people across the Sunshine State were bracing themselves as the life-threatening category four storm struck on Wednesday night.
READ MORE: Hurricane Ian hits Florida as storm causes major damage - but it should avoid Ireland
Hurricane Ian, which was causing wind speeds of up to 250kph, was just under the threshold to placed in category five – the highest classification which has only ever been given to four storms that have made landfall in the US.
The violent winds, torrential downpours and storm surges caused by the hurricane have already resulted in country-wide power outages in Cuba and severe flooding in the Florida Keys.
Speaking from the Endless Summer Resort Hotel in Orlando, the Dublin native told the Irish Mirror: “I have to stay in the hotel for the next two days. Everywhere is closed.
“All theme parks and restaurants are closed. Today and tomorrow I’ll be in this hotel. In a weird way it kind of feels like Covid again. I’m counting down the hours until I can leave the hotel.”
The 28-year-old, who arrived on Saturday, said people living on the Florida coast have been evacuated and that some are being housed in the hotel. Pip revealed the hotel is allowing those who were forced to flee to bring their pets with them while they wait for the hurricane to pass.
She said she began to realise how serious the hurricane was going to be two days ago. Pip explained: “On Tuesday I was in one of the Disney Parks and everybody’s phone started playing sirens. I realised then that it was taken quite seriously.
“In the space of an hour, notifications saying ‘make sure you have enough water and food for the next three days’ started popping up. That was scary’.” She said staff working at the hotel has been great and revealed there was a relaxed atmosphere.
Pip added: “I’m not too worried about it at the moment. The hotel is fully operational. There’s food, there’s water, it’s very well organised. Everybody can roam around the hotel but they can’t leave. I thought we were going to be locked in the room so it’s not too bad.
“People are coming into the hotel with cats and dogs who have been evacuated but in general everybody here seems pretty relaxed and chilled about it.”
Airlines across the state have cancelled thousands of flights as the hurricane makes landfall with a further 1,700 axed today. Meanwhile, Belfast man Philip Moore. a chef, who lives in Naples Florida, told the Irish Mirror: “We have stocked up on some water. We are not really worried to be honest.
“We have a newly built house made for this type of weather. This is first hurricane I’ve experienced to this extent. The only thing I’ve ever experienced was a tornado in Nebraska.” He said he plans on catching up on house work and sleep until the hurricane passes.
Cavan man Michael Rudden, who lives in Port Charlotte in Florida, said the hatches were “battened down” but said he was still “worried”. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis called on those living in the state to prepare for a “major impact” once Hurricane Ian makes landfall.
He said: “Maximum sustained winds of up to 155mph, that is knocking on the door of a category five storm. This is going to be a nasty, nasty day – two days.
“It could make landfall as a category five, but clearly this is a very powerful major hurricane that’s going to have major impacts, both on south-west Florida but as it continues to work through the state.”
US President Joe Biden said: “Safety is more important than anything. I know our hearts are with everyone who will feel the effects of this storm. And we’ll be with you every step of the way.”
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