WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Hurricane Helene is gaining strength as it bears down on Florida’s Gulf coast. Helene is expected to make landfall late Thursday, and some people from Kansas are among the millions on the storm’s path.
Zach Trotter and Whitney Ford attended college in Florida but grew up in the heart of Kansas. They said they were bracing for their first hurricane, which was very different from the tornadoes they grew up with here.
Growing up in Clearwater, Trotter moved to Tallahassee, Florida, to run track at Florida State University. He said many family members back home are worried about his safety.
“So the word is scary, coming from Kansas, when I first heard it, I was like, man, I’m really going to see hurricanes, but I talked to all them, told them we’re going to be alright,” said Trotter.
Fighting a frenzy of shoppers and preparing for Hurricane Helene’s landfall, he stocked up on necessities. He said going to the store took a while.