PUNTA GORDA — After evacuating with her sister to Georgia, Kathleen Hein was fired from her bus driving job with Charlotte County Transit.
Hein believes Charlotte County government should make changes to evacuation policies for employees and their families.
“I tried to make appointments to speak to the Charlotte County commissioners and was told by the secretary that they (commissioners) couldn’t do anything for me,” Hein said.
Hein was prepared to transport evacuees to shelters before Hurricane Milton, as she had before Hurricane Helene two weeks earlier.
However, after mandatory evacuation orders came for Yellow Zone-C, she had to leave her home.
CAREGIVER
“I am my sister’s (Elenn Perrera) caregiver,” Hein said.
Her sister has special needs, so they went to stay with family in Georgia; Hein said she texted her supervisor about the decision.
The day after Hurricane Milton, she returned to Charlotte County, dropped off her sister at an assisted living facility and went to work.