The Cockroach Bay area of Ruskin, Florida is a ghost town on Tuesday night. For the last two days, authorities have encouraged residents to evacuate the area. If they do not have a place to go, they can stay at a nearby fortified middle school.
But most residents are not putting up a fight. After Hurricane Helene came through and ravaged the area, bringing floodwaters into most of their homes, people seemed ready to leave.
The northwest quadrant of Ruskin appeared to be the most heavily damaged. Almost every home has flood, damaged, carpets, drywall, furniture, and personal effects, stripped out and tossed in the front yards.
Most of the families have already evacuated. Some families, however, waited until today to pack up their cars and head out.
“It’s too risky to stay,” says resident Paul Delmolino, who was leaving with his wife, Lani. “I think anyone who is thinking straight would say that you’re a fool to stay in the path of this thing.”
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Another woman, who identified herself only as “Judith,” tells the Post that she’s really worried about her home, and hopes that there aren’t looters.
“That can be a problem when everyone evacuates,” Judith says. “but it’s still just stuff.”
At the Middle School, few people had arrived by Tuesday afternoon, but officials tell the Post that they expect that more will arrive tonight and tomorrow. A spokesperson for the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office says that the shelter opened 48 hours before landfall but most people arrive with less than 24 hours to spare.
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