Residents in vulnerable areas of Florida, including Everglades City and Marco Island, are choosing to ride out Hurricane Milton at their homes despite mandatory evacuation orders. Some residents feel their homes are elevated and will avoid storm surge, while others fear running out of gas on crowded highways or lack the resources to leave. In Marco Island, residents have evacuated in preparation for the storm, boarding up their homes and securing their belongings, while a few locals remain, walking their dogs before the weather worsens. Additionally, a disabled mother in St. Petersburg is concerned about the potential impacts of the hurricane on her 1940s-built apartment, which is not in a flood or mandatory evacuation zone. She is worried about her business equipment and the safety of her daughter and cat. In Tampa, a man living on a boat plans to ride out the storm, confident that he will be unharmed despite the risks involved. Another man is spreading positivity in the city by driving around with a large bunny sculpture, bringing smiles to onlookers as the storm approaches. And a family in New Port Richey has decided to hunker down despite evacuation orders, prioritizing their safety and wellbeing while preparing for any potential damage from Hurricane Milton.
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