As Hurricane Milton approaches landfall, residents across Port Charlotte and surrounding areas are taking drastic measures to protect themselves from the impending storm. While many homeowners are boarding up windows or evacuating to shelters, there are those who cannot take these precautions. Among them is Don McBride, a man known to the locals as “Cowboy,” who faces a unique and daunting challenge: surviving without the protection of a home.
For McBride, and many others in similar situations, the preparations for Hurricane Milton are far from typical. With no house to secure or vehicle to transport him to a shelter, McBride has devised a resourceful plan for survival. He has chosen to create a makeshift shelter using materials he’s gathered from a local gas station’s dumpster enclosure—a place where he has found both refuge and friendship with the station’s employees over the years. This unconventional sanctuary will serve as his shield against the storm’s fury.
McBride’s situation sheds light on the difficult choices faced by the homeless community in times of natural disaster. Many do not have the means to travel to the safety of shelters, and for some, like McBride, the thought of leaving behind their possessions is simply not an option. McBride knows that if he loses his belongings to the storm, it could devastate his chances of rebuilding after the hurricane passes.
Using tarps, parachute rope, and wooden pallets, McBride is constructing what he hopes will be a hurricane-proof structure. He plans to anchor his shelter with strong rope and elevate his belongings off the ground with pallets, ensuring they remain dry despite the storm’s torrential rains. It’s a plan born from necessity and years of living on the streets.
McBride’s strategy is simple but effective. He’s noticed that commercial dumpster enclosures, with their concrete walls and heavy metal frames, often withstand the brunt of hurricanes, even catastrophic storms like Hurricane Ian in 2022. With this knowledge, he has adapted his surroundings to offer maximum protection. The solid walls of the enclosure offer security from flying debris, and the empty dumpster itself could become a last resort—a steel cocoon if the storm becomes too intense.
“It’s not my favorite choice,” McBride admits, “but I won’t have to worry about glass windows shattering or projectiles hitting me. If things get bad, I can drop into the dumpster with the pallets and be protected from the worst of it.”
For McBride, the physical preparations are only part of the battle. Like many who live on the streets, he faces additional challenges related to his health. His blood pressure has been dangerously high, and though his doctor has advised him to seek treatment at a hospital, McBride has chosen to stay put. The hospital, while offering physical safety, brings with it emotional scars—memories of watching friends succumb to the harsh realities of life on the streets, casualties of both the elements and the struggles that come with homelessness.
This will be McBride’s ninth hurricane, and while he has managed to survive them all, the growing intensity of storms and the fragility of his health leave him increasingly concerned for his future. He also worries for his fellow unhoused community members, some of whom may not be as resourceful or fortunate in their preparations.
“I have a bad feeling that I’m gonna be missing a few friends out here over this one,” McBride says solemnly.
McBride’s story is a stark reminder of the vulnerability faced by the homeless population during natural disasters. While emergency shelters open their doors to those in need, many homeless individuals struggle with the logistics of transportation, the fear of losing their possessions, or the anxiety of facing crowded, often chaotic, environments.
For those living on the streets, the decision to seek shelter is not always an easy one. The uncertainty of where they will go after the storm passes, combined with the psychological burden of leaving behind what little they have, leads many to make dangerous choices.
As local governments and relief organizations mobilize in preparation for Hurricane Milton, the plight of the homeless is often overlooked. While shelters and emergency services are readily available for those with means, there is a significant gap in resources and outreach for individuals like McBride. With no official plan in place to address the needs of the homeless during hurricanes, many are left to fend for themselves.
This hurricane, like many before it, will likely highlight the growing disparity between those who can afford to protect themselves and those who cannot. McBride’s story, while unique, is emblematic of a larger issue—one that requires both immediate attention and long-term solutions.
As Hurricane Milton barrels toward the coast, there is an urgent need for communities to rally together and support the most vulnerable among them. Local organizations and volunteers can make a significant difference by offering transportation, providing secure storage for belongings, and ensuring that emergency shelters are accessible to everyone, regardless of their circumstances.
By extending a hand to those like McBride, we can not only save lives but also offer a glimmer of hope to those who have been left behind. As the storm clouds gather, the importance of compassion and community has never been clearer.
By creating awareness and taking action, we can help ensure that everyone, regardless of their housing situation, has a chance to weather the storm.
