PERRY, Fla. — Heeding the warnings and preparing for the worst, Floridians took the chance to board up their homes and businesses Wednesday.
Hurricane Helene is expected to make landfall along Florida's Big Bend on Thursday. The powerful storm set to hit the area as a major storm and bring deadly and catastrophic 15-20 foot storm surge to the area.
"There was traffic all over the people moving around and moving around early in the day. I don't know everyone kind of panics with a hurricane," Preston Browne said.
The 67-year-old hasn't evacuated yet, but doesn't plan to ride out the storm in Steinhatchee, Florida. Like many, on the coast, he knows he needs a safe place to stay. If they haven't already left, many will stay in hotels nearby or shelters despite the area being in a mandatory evacuation zone.
"I'm just gonna put my boat around two trees and throw the anchor on and leave it because I've been through nine hurricanes on boats," Browne said.
But this time he won't -- saying he plans to move his boat in the morning on Thursday. On Wednesday thunder roared and the rain fell on and off in Steinhatchee as people prepared for the worst.
Ahead of the storm, the community prays Steinhatchee will look the same after the hurricane passes through.
"I don't know these rooms will be destroyed. Pray for us. You can't mess with mother nature that's all I'm saying," Browne said.
Taylor County knows storm impacts all too well after being devastated by Hurricane Idalia last August. Many people expect the damage to be worse because that was a low end Category 3 storm at landfall. Right now the area is under a mandatory evacuation, but many can't afford to leave. Hotels and shelters are open to try and give residents a safe place to stay.