BARDSTOWN, Ky. — Tuesday morning, Cortney Wells decided she needed to do something to get urgent items to people affected by Hurricane Milton. She took to social media, calling for donations that she plans to drive down once Milton passes through.
Wells is a Kentuckian but lived in the Tampa Bay, Clearwater area for about nine years.
"That became home," said Wells. "The people there became family and I'm just very much worried about them."
Wells has stayed in contact with them, survived past hurricanes alongside them, but knows what is coming with Hurricane Milton is like nothing they've ever experienced.
"They're not going to have clothes, shoes," said Wells. "The kids are not going to have toys. The things you need for your day-today life."
She plans to fill her 4' by 6' trailer, and her SUV both inside and out with gently used clothes, toys, toiletries, water, and more. She has the trailer for her toy selling business and plans to donate some of her own merchandise.
"A little plushie will go a long way for a kid that has nothing," said Wells.
She said a lot of people are hunkering down in shelters, waiting for the storm to pass.
"After Helene hit with all the flooding, they not only lost their home, but they lost their vehicles," said Wells. "So, they don't have any way to evacuate at this point...It's devastating."
In Florida, people are filled with anxiety and it's chaotic according to Orlando resident Julian Kirkland. He's got family in Kentucky, but he's staying in the city, not adding to the already crowded roadways of people fleeing the evacuation areas.
"You don't know what you don't know," said Kirkland. "I don't think many people that live here right now have experienced a storm of this magnitude."
He said many people are fleeing to the inland areas like Orlando and it's being felt at grocery stores. As supplies are running low, Kirkland believes donations from Wells will really help.
"Just going to the nearest Publix is, as I mentioned, is just bare," said Kirkland. "You can't get your main necessities like toilet paper, paper towel, etcetera. Water is a big thing. A lot of people are taking more than what the need."
Wells said she plans to meet people Wednesday morning to collect donation items.
"I feel like we need to all come together and help support the communities down there and do what we can to help," said Wells.
Donations can be brought to Infinity Laser Med Spa in Bardstown on Keystone Avenue.
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