A Florida family made it through Hurricane Irma and is now in Puerto Rico in the direct path of Hurricane Maria.
Members of the Poinciana family said they tried to get out, but an airline left them stranded.
Tyra Elwess said she had no idea how bad the storm was or even that it might hit Puerto Rico because she was on vacation and not watching local news.
Speaking to a loved one in Puerto Rico tonight?
— George Waldenberger (@GWaldenWFTV) September 20, 2017
Tell them to brace for severe wind, flash flooding, mudslides. pic.twitter.com/apREoWEg6V
“I just fear for my daughter. I honestly wish I could just get her off this island,” Elwess said.
Elwess, her husband and their 1-year-old daughter rode out Hurricane Irma in Orlando because they didn’t feel their Poinciana home was safe.
As soon as the storm passed, they set out for their already planned trip to Puerto Rico to celebrate Elwess’ husband’s birthday.
They were having a great trip, unaware of the second punch from Mother Nature lingering to the south until Monday.
“I woke up to hearing, like, banging at about 5 in the morning. They were boarding up the house, putting stuff up,” she said.
Elwess said they were supposed to fly back to Orlando on Tuesday, but JetBlue canceled their flight, even though it would have left Puerto Rico before the storm hits.
“I cried for about an hour. I had a panic attack. I’ve never experienced a panic attack before. Honestly, I was just scared for my daughter,” said Elwess.
She begged the airline to get them on another flight, but JetBlue told her Saturday was the earliest it could do.
“So I said, ‘I basically am going to be screwed with me and my daughter and my husband?’ They said, ‘I’m sorry we can’t do anything for you,’” said Elwess.
It means her family will have to ride out another powerful storm and hope the shutters will hold.
Cox Media Group
