Preparing for Hurricane Milton: A Family’s Love and Hustle

As Hurricane Milton approaches, our house is buzzing with a sense of urgency. The sky is getting darker, and the wind is starting to whisper louder. It's not our first storm, but each one feels a little different, and preparing is always a mixture of stress and routine.

My kids are a big help—most of the time! They’re out in the yard, picking up stray toys, pulling in anything that could blow away, while also trying to sneak in some fun before we all hunker down. I can hear their giggles as they race each other back and forth, but when the seriousness sets in, they help carry bags of feed and supplies inside without a complaint. Their energy is endless, which is a blessing during times like these.

My mom and her friends are here too, and thank goodness for their extra hands and calming presence. They’ve seen enough storms to know what’s important and what can wait. My mom’s packing the pantry with extra cans and water while her friends are sorting through batteries, flashlights, and charging devices. It’s comforting to know they’re thinking of all the little things I might forget. Plus, they’ve made enough sandwiches to feed an army—it’s their way of making sure no one goes hungry when the power inevitably goes out.

My fiancé is outside with me, double-checking the windows and doors, making sure we’ve got everything locked down. He’s the calm in the storm, focused and steady, and I’m grateful for that. We’ve already moved the 32 chickens into the coop, and he’s secured it with extra nails and some tarps. The chickens don’t seem to mind—they’re pecking away, just like it’s any other day.

Then there are the bunnies. They’ve got their safe space in the hutch, nestled down with extra hay to keep them warm and dry. The kids are always worried about them, but I remind them that the bunnies have been through this before and will be just fine.

We’ve cleared the yard of anything loose, and the last thing to do is make sure we’re all ready inside. I’ve got the weather radio set up, our go-bags packed just in case, and the generator on standby. It’s always a bit nerve-wracking, knowing you can only do so much, but once everything’s done, all you can do is wait and see.

Despite the looming storm, there’s something about this time that reminds me of the strength of family. My kids are learning resilience, my mom and her friends bring a sense of security, and my fiancé and I are side by side, tackling whatever comes our way. It’s not glamorous, and it’s definitely not easy, but it’s real. And no matter how hard the wind blows, we’ve got each other—and that makes all the difference.