A former Steinbach resident, now living in North Carolina, is preparing for the impact of Hurricane Florence.

Though she lives three hours from the coast, Lynn McCallum says weather is already showing signs of the encroaching storm. “Right now I’m bracing myself. To me, it’s going to be like a really really bad thunderstorm with a lot of wind and rain.” After moving to Randleman, North Carolina, early in 2017, McCallum notes this is her first experience with a hurricane. 

Winds of 80km/h or higher are expected to hit Randleman tonight or early tomorrow. McCallum suggests that fallen trees, downed power lines, and basement flooding are a high likelihood. Still, this outcome is far better than that of those in Florence’s direct path.

Says McCallum: “My heart broke yesterday hearing some stories of families who were staying behind because they could not financially afford to leave their home. And many [people] who didn’t have gas money or transportation were forced to ride it out.”

McCallum indicates that, as of yesterday, those in the nearby city of Greensboro have opened up shelters for those who have needed to evacuate their homes along the coast. She is glad people are making efforts to help.

“I don’t know exactly how this storm will affect me personally,” says McCallum, “but I just pray for the safety of all North Carolina.”