A Florida man took a creative route to safeguard his home from Hurricane Milton by strapping it down with cargo bands, and his unconventional strategy quickly went viral as many wondered if his house would withstand the storm.
As Hurricane Milton approached Florida, bringing heavy rain, tornadoes, and strong winds, residents prepared for the worst. The National Hurricane Center warned that the storm’s path could change, potentially endangering millions.
The Gulf Coast of Florida, which hadn’t faced a significant storm in over a century, readied for impact, with officials urging residents in high-risk areas to evacuate. Emergency management director Cathie Perkins warned, “This is it, folks. If you experienced Hurricane Helene, this one will be even worse. You need to evacuate, and you need to do it now.”
With storm surges predicted to reach up to 13 feet and tropical-storm-force winds already affecting the coast, the situation was dire. While many Floridians evacuated, others sought unconventional ways to protect their homes.
Pedro Caceres from Orlando took a different approach, deciding to literally strap down his house. Drawing from his experiences in Puerto Rico, where he had encountered severe storms, Caceres secured his home with heavy-duty cargo straps anchored into concrete that was poured eight feet deep.
Caceres revealed that the setup cost him about $3,000—$2,000 for the specialized straps and $1,000 for the cement. He had used the same method during Hurricane Charley in 2004.
Caceres’ daughter expressed their hope, saying, “We’re praying to God that this second hurricane holds our home like it did the first time.” Despite the unpredictable nature of the storm, the family had faith in their unique preparation.
As news of Caceres’ method spread, it went viral, with many captivated by his boldness. Social media users showed their support, with one commenter saying, “We’re all rooting for this man,” while another quipped, “This man took HOLDING DOWN THE FORT to a whole new level.” Many were eager to see the outcome, with comments like, “If this man’s house survives, he will be a Florida legend.”
When Hurricane Milton made landfall, it did so with significant force, unleashing powerful winds and heavy rain. People were anxious to know if Caceres’ straps would hold and if his home would survive.
Fortunately, an update from Caceres’ daughter, Raisa, reassured everyone: “We’re doing good. We just went outside our home to clean up and check for any damage.”
Caceres’ innovative approach to securing his house proved successful, as Hurricane Milton left his home virtually unscathed. While many stick to traditional methods, his daring idea has earned him a place in Florida’s hurricane survival history.