Canton, Michigan: A Family’s Journey Through Hurricane Milton
Canton, Michigan—It’s been a whirlwind week for many families as Hurricane Milton made its presence known, especially for one particular family from Central Florida. Anthony Bojanowski, a native of Westland, found himself in his grandmother’s home in Canton, making decisions that would ultimately shape his family’s safety during the storm.
A Lesson Learned from Hurricane Ian
Anthony lives in Central Florida with his wife and three young children. With the storm looming, they made the tough decision to evacuate on Monday, October 7. After the harrowing experience of Hurricane Ian, which was only a category 2 but still caused plenty of damage in their area, they knew they had to be vigilant this time around. Anthony shared, “We rode out Hurricane Ian where we live in Florida, and that was a category 2 that hit us, and it did a lot of damage to the area surrounding us. So we picked up, and we didn’t take the gamble this time.”
Preparing for the Unknown
Evacuating with three kids can be quite a chore! Anthony detailed their preparation by saying, “We ultimately settled on let’s just pack for five days because we can wash clothes up here, but just the feeling of ok, what do I need to grab.” With the uncertainty of the storm ahead, packing efficiently became a priority. They didn’t know what to expect or when they would be able to return home.
Staying Connected While Apart
While the Bojanowski family hunkered down in Canton, Anthony didn’t let distance keep him from staying informed about his own home back in Florida. Thanks to modern technology, he was able to monitor his house through a doorbell camera. “I had the doorbell camera that I was able to continuously monitor,” he explained, which provided him with some peace of mind as the storm battered the state.
Silver Linings in the Storm
As the hurricane raged on, the news coming from Florida was a mixed bag of tension and relief. On Thursday, Anthony received a call from his neighbors back home. To his immense relief, they reported, “There was no damage inside or out.” It was music to his ears, especially considering the uncertainty that accompanied the decision to evacuate.
Plans for Return
After weathering the storm away from home, the Bojanowski family is now looking ahead to returning to their life in Florida. They have planned to head back on Sunday, looking forward to settling back into their routine. “It’s always a strange feeling, waiting for the storms to pass and not knowing what’s waiting for you back home,” shared Anthony.
Community Resilience
This family’s experience highlights a significant aspect of what many are facing: community resilience. Evacuations often lead to worry and anxiety; however, the connections with neighbors and the ability to monitor their homes remotely have made a world of difference. As weather events become a common part of life for many Floridians, the importance of having solid plans and resources in place can’t be overstated.
As the Bojanowskis look forward to reuniting with their home, they also reflect on the lessons learned. Each storm not only challenges the safety of families but also reinforces the resilience of communities, reminding everyone how important it is to be prepared and look out for one another during times of crisis.
