Opinion: I'm fighting back tears as my family struggles with Hurricane Milton aftermath
Although Hurricane Milton itself thankfully wasn't as bad as predicted, the aftermath has been much worse than I anticipated.
(This story was updated to add new information.)
Fifty-seven, fifty-eight, fifty-nine. My eyes swelled up with tears as my daughter counted the passing ambulances heading toward Tampa, Florida, as we fled the city in the opposite direction.
Exhaustion, fear and anxiety overwhelmed my nervous system as my family prepared for the worst − Milton was on track to be the strongest hurricane to hit my area directly since 1921.
I've lived in Florida for almost five years and have seen some extreme weather. However, nothing prepared me for Milton.
Opinion: Milton forced us to evacuate our Tampa home. But my kids won't come out unscathed.
Although the storm itself thankfully wasn't as bad as predicted, the aftermath has been much worse than I anticipated. At this point, we haven't had electricity in more than 24 hours; our homes are hot and our food is spoiled. No gas station within 20 miles has fuel, and the fast-food restaurants that were able to reopen have seemingly endless lines.
This level of catastrophe wasn't on my bingo card for 2024.
My spouse is an active duty service member in the U.S. Army, and there are some privileges we are afforded during forced evacuations due to natural disasters. We are reimbursed a portion of our hotel and travel costs during our displacement. We were also lucky enough to qualify for a $600 grant to help with costs that were not covered.
While I am grateful, our family still suffered a massive financial loss from this storm, and we are not alone. Many people affected by recent hurricanes have blown through their emergency funds and financial safety nets. Now, for some, their future financial security is at risk because they are using retirement funds to recover.
Cost of home insurance is sure to skyrocket
The cost of home insurance in Florida is already astronomical. So much so that I don't want to file a claim in fear of increased monthly premiums.
I can't afford a higher payment; we were barely making ends meet before the storm.
Opinion: Hurricanes like Milton are more deadly for disabled people. Prioritize them.
Did you know that flooding isn't normally covered in homeowners insurance policies? That can be financially disastrous for property owners in a state where flooding is expected.
My insurance company offers a $500 grocery replenishment claim, which will help put food back in my family's fridge, but at what future cost?
I know my city is resilient, and I trust Tampa Mayor Jane Castor with my life. But we've got to have a better physical and financial recovery plan for our city.
More half a million families live from paycheck to paycheck in my region, adding two natural disasters within a month is devastating.
Stop playing politics and help us
We don't need loans, which only exacerbate our struggles. The partisan politics and bureaucratic red tape keeping our families from thriving need to stop. We are tired of our lives being used as talking points with no true action for betterment.
After Hurricanes Helene and Milton ravaged our communities physically, their emotional toll is setting in. We will rebuild and recover; I'm sure of it. But for now, I'm hurt, and I just want to go home.
Marla Bautista is a military fellow columnist at Paste BN Opinion.