Former Pennsylvanians take shelter in Florida
With Hurricane Milton bearing down, Pete Zapadka and Amy Johns sought shelter on higher ground near their Palm Harbor, Fla., home.
The married couple moved south to Florida in 2019. Johns is originally from Canonsburg. Zapadka was a local news editor for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, and at one point the paper’s Washington County editor. Zapadka also owns property in Greene County.
Palm Harbor is just west of Tampa, where Milton made landfall Wednesday evening. Zapadka and Johns spoke to the Observer-Reporter that afternoon via cellphone from an Airbnb in a nearby neighborhood. Zapadka estimates they are about 50 feet higher above the sea level than they were at home.
“Our place was not affected by Helene except for some really bad winds, debris and minor damage to the house. This one, we are in the Zone-B for evacuation,” Johns said.
According to the website for Florida’s Division of Emergency Management, evacuation zones are designated based on flood risk. Areas in Zone-A are considered most vulnerable and likely to be evacuated, and Zone-E is considered the least likely.
Johns noted that their house is only a block away from what would be considered Zone-A. The Airbnb where they are staying is not in an evacuation zone.
The two feel safer at the rental property, but are still prepared with plenty of food, backup batteries and flashlights. Their rescue dog Draco is also with them, and was sticking close to Johns’ side Wednesday afternoon as the rain and wind continued to pick up.
Even though they have not traveled far, it was difficult to leave their house knowing it may not be there when they return.
“It is a torturous decision whether or not to leave your home in situations like this,” Zapadka said. “This time it seemed pretty sure because of this monster storm, that it could be very bad for us. I feel terrible for the people who are south of us, because they are going to get the brunt of this.”
Johns noted that there is still plenty of debris from Hurricane Helene, as there was not enough time to clean up before Hurricane Milton.
“It’s really very scary. I’m worried they are going to be projectiles later this evening,” Johns said.
While Zapadka and Johns got to a safer location, some of their neighbors decided to stay put.
The couple even extended offers for people to stay at their Airbnb.
“The last three days we were stressed to the max, it’s safe to say. All of us and our neighbors were sick to our stomachs. Everyone was feeling the same dread. That’s the only way I can call it – it was dread,” Johns said, adding that despite their offer, some neighbors still refused to evacuate. “When you’re operating under so much fear and dread, you don’t always make the best decisions. It’s hard to think straight because you’re so stressed. We balance each other out. When one of us is stressed, the other one is calm.”
Zapadka and Johns said they have received countless phone calls, and text and Facebook messages from friends and family in Pennsylvania.
“Thank you to all who have reached out to us,” Johns said. “Everyone has been so great, and so concerned, and we really appreciate that.”