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
RCMP uncovers plot to sell drones and equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
BREAKING Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Thieves use stolen forklift to rip cash machine out of U.K. bank
Police in the U.K. are searching for a group of suspects seen on video using a forklift to steal a cash machine from a bank.
'There was a lot of black smoke': Crane operator sounds alarm while trapped during highrise fire in Halifax
A tower crane operator alerted emergency crews after noticing a fire on a construction site in Halifax Tuesday morning.
Cherry blossoms blooming in Canada: Here's what to know
There is a swaying sea of colour in some cities across Canada, and it's a sure sign of spring: cherry blossoms are in bloom.