Residents of Florida's west coast headed to South Florida ahead of Hurricane Milton, with the massive storm expected to devastate their hometowns.
Many are fleeing with their pets and are seeking out pet-friendly hotels. One of those hotels is the Loews Coral Gables Hotel.
Local 10 News spoke with residents who came to the hotel, located at 2950 Coconut Grove Drive, with their families - some multigenerational - and their pets Wednesday.
"We heard this side of the state was going to be spared and the hotel was dog friendly, of course, and they've been so wonderful," Cara Simas, who fled Sarasota, said.
Nadim Barrage, the hotel's general manager, said staff have seen an uptick in reservations in the past 48 hours. Most evacuees came from the Tampa and Sarasota areas.
