When Hurricane Milton barreled toward Florida, bringing with it torrents of rain, tornadoes, and powerful winds, residents across the state prepared for the worst. The National Hurricane Center warned that Milton’s path could change, potentially putting millions of people at risk.
An infographic titled “Hurricane Milton approaches Florida.” | Source: Getty Images
Florida’s Gulf Coast, which had not faced a major storm in over a century, braced for impact. Officials urged residents in high-risk areas to evacuate.
Emergency management director Cathie Perkins warned, “This is it, folks. Those of you who were punched during Hurricane Helene, this is going to be a knockout. You need to get out, and you need to get out now.”
A woman preparing for Hurricane Milton. | Source: Getty Images
With storm surges predicted to reach up to 13 feet and tropical-storm-force winds already lashing the coast, the outlook was grim. As many Floridians heeded evacuation orders, others took more unconventional steps to protect their homes.
One man, Pedro Caceres from Orlando, had a different plan. Caceres decided to secure his house in a way most had never seen before—by literally strapping it down to the ground. The idea came from his time living in Puerto Rico, where he had faced severe storms in the past.
Pedro Caceres giving a tour of his strapped-down home in preparation for Hurricane Milton. | Source: YouTube/9NEWS
With Hurricane Milton looming, Caceres showed the world the unusual steps he was taking to safeguard his property. Using heavy-duty cargo straps, he anchored his house from the front yard, over the roof, and into the backyard, securing the straps into concrete that had been poured eight feet deep into the ground.
A close-up of the hooks Pedro Caceres used to strap his home down. | Source: YouTube/9NEWS
Caceres shared that the setup cost him around $3,000, including $2,000 for the specialized straps and another $1,000 for the cement. In 2004, when Hurricane Charley threatened Florida, he used the same technique.
The front of Pedro Caceres’ strapped-down home. | Source: YouTube/9NEWS
According to Caceres’ daughter, “We’re praying to God that this second hurricane holds our home like it did the first time.” The family’s faith in their unique preparation method was steadfast, despite the storm’s unpredictable strength and path.
Pedro Caceres and his daughter. | Source: YouTube/9NEWS
As news of Caceres’ house-strapping method spread, it quickly went viral, with many people captivated by his bold approach to hurricane preparedness. Social media users rallied around Caceres, with one commenter writing, “We all rooting for this man.”
Pedro Caceres giving a tour of his home. | Source: YouTube/9NEWS
Another joked, “This man took HOLDING DOWN THE FORT to a whole new level.” Others were keen to see how his home would fare, with some saying, “If this man’s house survives, he will be a Florida legend.” Another social media user commented, “I want to know how it turned out…”
A close-up of the straps Pedro Caceres used to strap his home down. | Source: YouTube/9NEWS
Hurricane Milton made landfall with brutal force, as predicted. The winds roared, the rain pounded, and homes across the state faced the full fury of the storm. But did the straps hold? Did the Caceres home survive another major hurricane?
Pedro Caceres in front of his strapped-down home. | Source: YouTube/9NEWS
As the storm passed and the damage became evident across the state, people online were desperate for an update. One social media user shared, “Did it work? Hopefully, yes.”
Fortunately, the long-awaited update on Caceres and his family eventually arrived. “Update for those asking from Pedro’s daughter Raisa: ‘We’re doing good just went outside our home just now to clean up and see if any damage (has) been done […],'” a social media user posted in part.
Caceres’ unconventional approach to securing his home with straps proved successful once again, as Hurricane Milton left his house virtually unscathed. While many may stick to traditional methods, his bold idea has earned him a place in Florida’s hurricane survival lore.
