What Happened to the Florida Man Who Strapped Down His House in Preparation for Hurricane Milton?

When Hurricane Milton barreled toward Florida, bringing torrents of rain, tornadoes, and powerful winds, residents across the state prepared for the worst. The National Hurricane Center warned that Milton’s path could change, potentially putting millions of people at risk.

Florida’s Gulf Coast, which had not faced a major storm in over a century, braced for impact, and officials urged residents in high-risk areas to evacuate.

Emergency management director Cathie Perkins warned, “This is it, folks. Those of you who were punched during Hurricane Helene, this is going to be a knockout. You need to get out, and you need to get out now.”

With storm surges predicted to reach up to 13 feet and tropical-storm-force winds already lashing the coast, the outlook grew increasingly grim. As many Floridians heeded evacuation orders, others took more unconventional steps to protect their homes.

One man, Pedro Caceres from Orlando, had a different plan. Caceres decided to secure his house in a way most had never seen before — by literally strapping it down to the ground. The idea stemmed from when he lived in Puerto Rico, where he had experienced severe storms.

With Hurricane Milton looming, Caceres showed the world the unusual steps he was taking to safeguard his property. Using heavy-duty cargo straps, he anchored his house from the front yard, over the roof, and into the backyard, securing the straps into concrete that had been poured eight feet deep into the ground.

Caceres shared that the setup cost him around $3,000, including $2,000 for the specialized straps and another $1,000 for the cement. In 2004, when Hurricane Charley threatened Florida, he used the same technique.

Caceres’ daughter said, “We’re praying to God that this second hurricane holds our home like it did the first time.” The family’s faith in their unique preparation method was steadfast, despite the storm’s unpredictable strength and path.

As news of Caceres’ house-strapping method spread, it quickly went viral, with many people captivated by his bold approach to hurricane preparedness. Social media users rallied around Caceres, with one commenter writing, “We all rooting for this man.”

Another joked, “This man took HOLDING DOWN THE FORT to a whole new level.” Others were keen to see how his home would fare, with some saying, “If this man’s house survives, he will be a Florida legend.” Another social media user commented, “I want to know how it turned out…”

Hurricane Milton made landfall with brutal force, as predicted. The winds roared, the rain pounded, and homes across the state faced the storm’s full fury. But did the straps hold? Did the Caceres home survive another major hurricane?

As the storm passed and the damage became evident across the state, people online were desperate for an update. One social media user shared, “Did it work? Hopefully, yes.”

Fortunately, the long-awaited update on Caceres and his family eventually arrived. “Update for those asking from Pedro’s daughter Raisa: ‘We’re doing good just went outside our home just now to clean up and see if any damage (has) been done […],'” the reporter who covered his story posted in part.

Caceres’ unconventional approach to securing his home with straps proved successful once again, as Hurricane Milton left his house virtually unscathed. While many may stick to traditional methods, his bold idea has earned him a place in Florida’s hurricane survival lore.