WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Helene is already a hurricane and gaining strength as it bears down on Florida’s Gulf coast. Helene is expected to make landfall late Thursday, and some people from Kansas are among the millions on the storm’s path.
Zach Trotter and Whitney Ford attended college in Florida but grew up in the heart of Kansas. They said they were bracing for their first hurricane, which was very different from the tornados they grew up with here.
Growing up in Clearwater, Trotter moved to Tallahassee, Florida, to run track at Florida State University. He said many family members back home are worried about his safety.
“So the word is scary, coming from Kansas, when I first heard it, I was like, man, I’m really going to see hurricanes, but I talked to all them, told them we’re going to be alright,” said Trotter.
Fighting a frenzy of shoppers and preparing for Hurricane Helene’s landfall, he stocked up on necessities. He said going to the store took a while.
“It was crazy today, it was crazy-the line was probably about 50 people at self-checkout by the time I got to it, I was standing near the back of the store where the water and milk, And the line all the way to the front of the store by the doors,” said Trotter.
Ford, an Andale native, attends law school in Deland, Florida. Her apartment sits on the water, and she’s been told she is in Evacuation Zone A. Friends have offered a place to shelter, but she’s not nervous about the hurricane’s arrival.
“I kind of want to see part of the storm, I think that’s the Kansan tornado watcher in me, but I want to watch the streets flood a little bit before I get out of here, but I think I’ll go over to their apartment soon,” said Ford.
She said she’s only lived in Florida for a few months, but the people in her new community have extended a helping hand, preparing for Helene.
“There are so many people that have their doors open, the whole class has a big group, and I can’t even count the number of people that said, hey if you’re in the evacuation zone, my door is always open for you,” said Ford.
Both students said their universities have canceled classes for the remainder of the week.
KSN spoke to a rep from the American Red Cross, who said three responders from Wichita and one from Maize were sent to Florida to help render aid during Hurricane Helene.
