135 care home residents have been rescued after being trapped in floodwaters in Milton

On October 15, 2024By Yukito

BRADENTON, Fla. (WWSB) – Before Hurricane Milton made landfall, the Great American Assisted Living Facility in Bradenton evacuated its residents to a location in Tampa, thinking there would be less flooding. But when the storm came, they realized they were in even greater danger.

While 135 residents slept in beds, several feet of water rose in the facility overnight. Residents, most of them veterans, and staff were trapped in floodwaters for hours.

Finally, the National Guard and other local law enforcement agencies came to the rescue. They took all residents and staff onto boats and safely removed them from the water.

A few days later, residents and staff returned to their original location in Bradenton, but this time they came empty-handed. After bringing everything to the Tampa location, everyone lost shoes, clothes, personal items and even furniture.

“I was laying in bed sleeping and I felt water on me,” said Michael Allen, a resident of the center who also served 26 years in the Air Force. “I lost my clothes, my shoes, my refrigerator, my microwave, you name it,” Allen said. “It’s okay, although it’s a relevant issue, we all escaped life,” Allen said.

Now they need more help than ever. Samantha Patterson, the facility’s executive director, says they are seeking donations of food, towels and laundry cloths from residents. You can bring these items to their location at 1015 7th Avenue East, Bradenton, FL 34208

If you can’t physically donate to a nonprofit organization, you can also make a monetary donation. Click here to give.