The daughter of a man who secured their entire house for Hurricane Milton explains why the straps can’t be removed yet.
A DIY approach against Hurricane Milton
Pedro Casares, an Orlando resident, took extraordinary measures to protect his home from Hurricane Milton. His innovative idea to strap down his house has gone viral, with many praising his efforts.
Casares’ unique solution to storm-proof his home
As Hurricane Milton approached, Casares decided to take matters into his own hands.
He planted metal hooks into the ground, securing them in 8-foot-deep cement bases.
He then attached large plastic straps, usually used to secure cargo containers on ships, to these hooks.
These straps were specially made to withstand up to 5,400 pounds of weight.
The goal was to keep the roof from lifting during the storm. Despite skepticism from social media, Casares’ plan paid off.
His home remained largely unaffected by the hurricane’s impact.
The inspiration behind the ingenious precaution
Originally from Puerto Rico, Casares was motivated by past experiences. During a previous hurricane in Guaynabo, his family’s aluminum roof almost tore off.
Casares’ $22,000 effort, inspired by past experiences, helped prevent major damage to his home. Image Credits: 9NEWS
This led him to find a stronger, more reliable solution to protect his Orlando home.
Casares invested $22,000 in cement anchors and custom-made straps. The setup lined the roof, ensuring stability during the storm.
Daughter shares update on TikTok
@simplyuniquesmiles93 We made it through our second Hurricane and we are blessed to have no crazy damages to rhe home. My prayers still continue to those heavily affected during this time. Me and my dad are about to drive to see if anyone needs help🙏🫶🏼🏠#HurricaneMilton#CentralFL#Orlando#FLhomegoesviral#homestrappeddown#homedepot#lowes#USCC#cargocontrolstraps#acehardware#CNN#wash2news#spectrumnews#telemundo#univision#dailymail#abcnews#ukradiostation
Casares’ daughter, known as SimplyUniqueSmiles93 on TikTok, shared a video showing the home’s condition post-storm. “Thankfully, we’re good. Just a lot of leaves everywhere, but everything is still intact,” she said during her walkaround.
She added, “Not a single shingle or tile has lifted. We’re keeping the straps on until the hurricane is completely over!”
Social media reactions
Before the storm, Casares’ efforts drew attention on social media. Many users admired his creativity and called him a “legend” for “thinking outside the box.”
This is the most Florida thing I’ve ever seen: one person joked.
Everyone is laughing now, but this man will be a legend when all the other houses are floating down the road: commented another.
I actually respect the effort. I hope it is effective, one user added.
He’s thinking outside the box; need more folks like him… read another comment.
Bro secured his house like a piano when moving. Absolute legend, tweeted a fifth person.
Aftermath of Hurricane Milton in Florida
Hurricane Milton caused significant damage across Florida. Residents dealt with flooding, debris, and damaged homes. At least 10 people died, and rescuers continued to assist those trapped by rising waters. Despite the destruction, many expressed relief that the storm wasn’t worse.
Milton spared densely populated areas like Tampa from a direct hit, and the feared storm surge did not materialize. Florida’s vital tourism industry began returning to normal as Walt Disney World and other attractions reopened. Orlando’s busiest airport also resumed full operations on Friday.
Pedro Casares’ decision to strap down his house may have seemed unusual, but it proved effective.
His DIY efforts allowed his home to withstand Hurricane Milton, showcasing the value of innovative thinking in the face of natural disasters.
As Florida recovers, Casares’ story serves as a testament to resilience and preparedness.