Early Thursday morning, a Florida woman in Bartow, located about 40 miles east of Tampa, experienced a terrifying ordeal as Milton's ferocious winds caused a massive tree to crash onto her home. Kayla Lane, along with her mother and brother, were inside their living room when the tree fell, creating a large hole in the roof and ceiling.
According to Lane, the family had been waiting out the storm on Wednesday night, seeking refuge in their living room after losing power. However, as the night progressed, they decided to retreat to their rooms to rest. It was shortly after 3 a.m. ET when they were jolted awake by a deafening crash.
Describing the scene, Lane recounted how the fallen tree had obliterated the space where they had been sitting just an hour earlier. The damage was extensive, with rain pouring in through the exposed ceiling, leaving the living room in shambles.
Photographs captured the aftermath, showing the tree sprawled across the roof and debris scattered across the furniture. Lane likened the state of their home to a sanctuary for squirrels, emphasizing the severity of the destruction.
Despite the chaos, Lane noted the resilience of her neighbors, who had swiftly cleared their yards and set up generators. She expressed a sense of disorientation, feeling as though they were living in a different world post-incident.
While physically unharmed, Lane admitted to grappling with the emotional toll of the event. The family is currently navigating the process of seeking assistance, having reached out to their insurance company, albeit finding them closed due to the hurricane.
As they adapt to their new reality, Lane emphasized the uncertainty of their situation, stating, 'We're just trying to play it by ear as of right now.'
