SWFL inland communities prepare for Hurricane Isaias

As Hurricane Isaias moves toward Florida, people are not wasting time stocking up on supplies. It’s forecast to be more gusty in our inland communities, so those in Clewiston and Buckingham are getting ready to feel some of the storm’s effects.

We spoke to community members who are experienced with preparing for a storm Friday.

Families told us they’re simply checking off the pre-storm shopping list.

“Going to buy batteries, candles, flashlights,” said Arisbeth Moya in CLewiston.

Even if they were to lose power.

“We bought a grill, like a small one, and like stuff that you can grill easily on the grill,” said Kenya Fuller in Clewiston.

“My parents stocked up. We stocked up on gas, got our generator of course,” Rangel Hernandez-Montura said.

Families told us you certainly won’t find them without supplies, not if Hurricane Isaias brings strong winds to Hendry County.

“Knock on wood, we haven’t had any major stuff go down,” said Kathy Colmenares in Buckingham.

But gusts of wind are forecast to hit other inland areas.

“I’ve been working, cutting; a friend of mine’s been coming down trimming trees back, trying to get them away from the house and stuff,” Colmenares said.

Across Southwest Florida, families are preparing.

“We bought like candles,” Fuller said. “We got waters.”

They hope they don’t have to open one bottle or light a single candle.

“It’s hard. Obviously, it’s hard because you know we’re going through the pandemic and for something else like that, it’s hard,’ Moya said. “We don’t need that. We need to recover with this first and then deal with that.”

WINK News crews will be in Clewiston all day Saturday as the storm approaches Florida.