‘Frightened’ Brit trapped in Florida urged to take drastic action as Hurricane Milton strikes

A “terrified” British woman stuck in Florida due to the impending landfall of Hurricane Milton expected tonight (October 9) has exclusively revealed what precautions she had to take this evening.

Kathryn Bateman, better known on social media as @scouseblu, has been posting videos updating her followers about her experiences in the Sunshine State as the Category Five storm barrels toward her.

Videos based primarily on TikTok to reveal the desperation around them in Orlando show how desperate Americans and tourists were as they stocked up on food, water and toilet paper – anyone remember the pandemic?

Bateman previously explained that she and her partner had to visit several stores in search of water and things like flashlights, with only two remaining when she arrived at Home Depot, which she described as “absolutely manic.”

She noted that locals bought wood in bulk to protect their doors and windows before returning to their holiday home, where a letter from the hotel informed them that they were left to fend for themselves, as she summarized: “The hotel has basically said that the patio furniture should stay inside.”, you are self-sufficient, you are on your own.

While other hotels provided guests with free water and toilet paper, she said it was “shocking” that her family was given next to no help.

But since those updates, she revealed to LADbible that she was given some advice leading up to tonight.

Bateman, originally from Liverpool, was holidaying in Orlando and hopes to “return safely” on October 15 after the cyclone passes.

She revealed: “Honestly, local officials told us to stock up on supplies, stay away from windows and not go outside on Wednesday and Thursday evenings.”

She mentioned the hotel’s letter again and said they were “upset” by the lack of help, but added that officers had told them to have a “bag ready in case” they had to go to a nearby one for protection Emergency shelter would have to be “evacuated”.

“(We) have all our power banks charged in case the power goes out and we have the bathrooms stocked up,” she shared, adding that she, along with her partner and family, check daily updates for flights so they can leave as soon as possible it is safe.

Bateman and her family wait for their first chance to go home (Kathryn Bateman)

Bateman then admitted: “We are scared as we have never experienced anything like this before. We tried to get flights home but they said there were none available.”

“The priority was families with young children, which we fully understand, they are a priority. Our vacation rep said we needed to stock up and stay home.”

“We all pray for everyone who will be severely affected by Milton.”

This week the Foreign Office warned British citizens across the pond to follow instructions and orders related to the evacuation as Milton was described as “life-threatening” as strong winds and heavy rain were forecast.

Airports in Tampa and Orlando have also temporarily suspended operations to and from the UK, leaving scores of holidaymakers stuck in the middle of the action waiting for updates from airlines.