Some people just can't evacuate.
Can't afford it, no car, no family.
Terrible.
"Connie Russo didn’t decide to stay at her mobile home park in the Tampa-area community of Palm River out of pride or self-confidence. It came down to dollars and cents.
“It’s real challenging, because everyone lives off the check, Social Security,” she said yesterday, ahead of Hurricane Helene, which brought high winds and storm surge to the Florida’s Gulf Coast today.
“We just can’t pick up and move. They get paid once a month, and that’s all they’ve got, and then they’re done,” she said. “We can’t afford to get a hotel or somewhere. Most of these people don’t have family members to go to.”
Shelters are open, but Russo said many in the mobile home park don’t drive, some because they are too old or have disabilities.
“We’re not lazy. We’re hunkering down here, and that’s about all we can do,” Russo said."