Alta. family on road trip in Florida ends up with front-row seat to U.S. hurricane
A St. Albert family's months-long, escape-the-Canadian-winter road trip to Florida has them currently hunkering down as tropical storm Ian makes its way onto South Carolina.
"Just to have a family road trip vacation, take some time, see Disney World," John Shwetz told CTV News Edmonton Wednesday evening of his family's plan. "See all the attractions, and a bunch of the states we've never seen before. And some new experiences – which I guess includes a hurricane."
He spoke to CTV News Edmonton from his hotel in Kissimee outside Orlando, a roughly five-minute drive from Disney World.
When the family left Alberta at the beginning of September, they did not consider their trip would coincide with hurricane season.
The Shwetz family arrived in Orlando on Sept. 15.
A short while later, the preparation for Ian began. It was unlike anything Shwetz had seen and an entirely different experience from when tornado or wildfire warnings are issued, sometimes quite suddenly, in Alberta.
"Yesterday was super nice and sunny and we were at the pool. But it was like, 'Hey, there's this disaster that's coming but here's five days to prepare for it.' Whereas a tornado or something kind of just happens, or an earthquake or a fire," he commented.
"Everyone's getting gas and water and food and kind of stocking up."
Hurricane Ian made landfall in southwestern Florida on Wednesday. It was downgraded to a tropical storm on Thursday.
But even further inland, the Shwetz family could tell Ian was on the move toward South Carolina.
"I was in one of the west coast storms in Vancouver when it hit Stanley Park, so it was sort of a lot like that one because of the wind, but this is a lot more sustained wind and rain."
In a video posted to a Facebook page where the family is documenting their travels, Shwetz stands outside to show off the angry weather, rain quickly speckling his glasses.
The family planned to hunker down until it passed.
"We're not too stressed about it because we're inland, but I mean, it is pretty rainy and windy out there right now. But I don't think there's any risk of storm surge or flooding where we are," Shwetz said.
"We went and got water and food and snacks and all that kind of stuff to kind of stock up."
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Kyra Markov
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.