Hurricane Ian made landfall close to Caya Costa, Florida, as a Class 4 storm packing winds of 150mph. However simply earlier than the eyewall got here washing ashore, battering the state’s southern peninsula with torrential rains and damaging winds, Mike Ross and his mother, Mary Beth, spied a lone feline stranded within the raging storm. Perched atop an air conditioner unit and scared to dying, the cat was pinned in place by the storm surge washing into the world with brutal drive.
However regardless of the shortly deteriorating circumstances there in Bonita Springs, Mike couldn’t depart the orange and white kitty to a watery destiny and braved the damaging surge to earn himself a brand new buddy for all times.
Trapped By Storm Surge
When hurricanes hit, these large storms have the ability to create a storm surge that’s nearly unattainable to think about. You will be standing in a roadway or neighborhood, and inside seconds, water floods the world in an offended rush that doesn’t cease. Anybody caught in that destruction finds themselves in mortal hazard. And that’s the difficulty this poor cat discovered herself in as Hurricane Ian roared into southwest Florida.
However earlier than the waters might sweep the kitty away, Mike and his mother glanced out the window of his guardian’s “fortress” in opposition to hurricanes and noticed the cat sitting on high of the elevated air conditioner unit because the storm surge pushed in.
He instructed The Washington Post the cat was “terrified.” In Mike’s thoughts, there was no manner he might depart the cat out within the storm, so the longtime Floridian braved the surge and introduced the kitty to security.
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Marybeth Ross, Mike’s mother, captured video of Mike wading via the surge to get to the kitty as increasingly water rushed in, coming in more durable and quicker with each passing second. And fairly conscious of this reality, the nervous cat may very well be seen clinging to Mike’s shoulder as he cradled her tightly to his chest and carried her to the security of indoors.
Pleased with her son, Marybeth will be heard saying, “Take a look at Michael saving the kitty. Awww.”
Mike’s girlfriend Megan shared the video on Twitter, the place it’s been seen greater than 3 million instances. And since this candy cat got here into their life by the hands of a hurricane, the couple named their new feline buddy Ian. However a bit of time with Ian revealed that he was really a she, so Ian grew to become Storm.
Elevating Aid for These Left in Ian’s Path
Since rescuing Storm from the storm and studying their house was flooded by ten toes of water, Megan and Mike have began a GoFundMe page to assist increase cash so that they and others can start to rebuild.
“We’re a younger couple in Naples, FL elevating cash to assist restore our house — which suffered horrible harm — and the houses of others after the devastation seen from Hurricane Ian,” Megan shared.
“In honor of Ian, and all folks and pets affected, we’re donating half of the proceeds raised by this to the Naples Humane Society.”
Storm almost met her finish within the watery grip of nature’s fury. However because of Mike, this good cat has her paws again on dry floor. Mike and Megan are looking for the cat’s household, but when none will be discovered, Storm will discover her eternally house with them. And collectively, they’ll rebuild their lives.
URGENT: Help Pets in Hurricane Ian’s Path
My boyfriend saving a cat from flood waters close to Bonita Seashore. #HurricaneIan #Naples #Bonita #FortMyers pic.twitter.com/BlBC9P1rdy
— Megan Cruz Scavo (@MeganScavo) September 28, 2022
Characteristic Picture: @MeganScavo/Twitter
