Floridians from North Carolina endure Hurricane Irma

Monday, September 11, 2017
Floridians from North Carolina endure Irma
ABC 11 talked to folks from North Carolina who now live along the coasts of Florida as they ride out Hurricane Irma.

FLORIDA (WTVD) -- ABC 11 spoke with folks from North Carolina who now live along the coasts of Florida as they ride out Hurricane Irma.

From winds whipping trees to storm surge flooding street, Hurricane Irma's epic arrival pushed up the west coast of Florida.

Near Tampa, Kolby Kucyk from Wake County is being hit with windy and blustery conditions. She is hunkered down at her home near Tampa Bay with her boyfriend and dog, Petey.

The trio stocked up on supplies and turned their guest bathroom into a shelter if Irma goes crazy.

"C'mon Irma," said Kucyk. "Get here and get it over with. We're ready."

Since the storm started, Miami has seen torrential flooding.

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Monica Gragg from Durham was forced to evacuate her high rise condo near Miami Beach, as construction cranes near her home became damaged.

Gragg is riding out Irma with friends in Orlando.

During our interview with Gragg, her power flickered in and out.

It's also a challenging time for Harvey victims who evacuated to Miami.

Gragg said she witnessed a Houston family who traveled to Miami to flee Harvey, now forced to evacuate again.

"I was extremely humbled," said Gragg.

Many said they're humbled and scared for many feeling Irma's effects right now.

Many said it's a storm they have never experienced before.

"No, not like this," said Laura Connell in Punta Gorda. "And I can tell you right now, I don't want to do it again. It's pretty bad. It's pretty bad."

Governor Roy Cooper said Irma could bring flooding, power outages, and landslides to Western North Carolina.

Almost 300 National Guard troops from Fort Bragg have deployed to Florida to help with rescue efforts.

Meanwhile, North Carolina has set up shelters to help evacuees.