The most frustrating and irritating part about the whole evacuation is hearing from non-Floridians: “Just evacuate!” It’s not as simple as just evacuating: 1. The storm still doesn’t have a direct line of approach so you could evacuate to an area where it does hit; 2. Evacuating all the way out of state means getting on the two main highways with millions of others. I did it for Irma and it took almost endless amount of hours to reach Tennessee and even more to return home; 3. Pets. As we recently learned with pets, leaving them at home or dropping them off to shelters does not guarantee their safety so I have to take our dog and cat with us; 4. Returning home after the storm could take days, for a variety of reasons — most poignantly, the local government not letting you. 5. This is our home. Elderly neighbors live nearby and can’t leave. I want to be here to help them if worst comes to worst. #FloridaStrong #Helene #Milton