Controversial ‘reason’ why people have to leave pets during Hurricane Milton

As Florida residents flee their homes amid the arrival of the terrifying Hurricane Milton, one social media user has drawn attention to the fact many people have to leave their pets behind.

Hurricane Milton is one of the most severe natural disasters to hit the American east coast, and is picking up speed while making its way through Florida.

Experts have weighed in on the forthcoming effects of the disaster, describing it as the 'deadliest' and most 'catastrophic' storm to affect the state in a staggering 100 years.

Locals have been advised to evacuate and flee their homes, being urged to take refuge outside of the state in the hopes of remaining safe.

For some context on the initial devastation - Hurricane Milton made landfall at 8.30pm last night (1.30am UK time) with 100mph winds.

As per Sky News: "Multiple deaths have been confirmed in St Lucie County on Florida's Atlantic coast, where officials said tornadoes touched down.

"More than three million households were left without electricity in Florida as of 4am (9am UK time)."

One social media user, who has chosen not to evacuate so as to not leave her pet dogs behind, explained her choice on TikTok.

In a video captioned: 'Send prayers this way,' she explained: "When you can't evacuate because your 2 dogs wouldn't be able to go, so you have all the windows & doors boarded up to stay with them. Because if they can't go neither can I."

One person commented: "I'm not a dog owner so I'm not educated on them, why wouldn't they be able to go with to evacuate?"

Hurricane Milton made landfall with 100mph winds (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Somebody advised: "Some hotels WILL reject u if u bring any sort of pet (which is illegal in these circumstances) and if she were to head on an airplane the dogs need like sum type of vaccination i think or something."

While a second added: "Yes, and all airlines besides spirit airlines are shut down, and the racked up the price for the ticket which is Fd up! It’s around 1800+ to get out of the state per person. I simply cannot afford that."

A third theorised: "I don’t think hotels can refuse if you have an animal in the case of evacuation."

The original poster wrote: "That’s not the issue, they're ALL booked out."

While another person asked: "What do people mean when they say their dogs can’t go? Just put them in a car and drive??"

To which another person responded: "The roads are so blocked up some cars are to small to and some people don’t have cars so need to use other things to evacuate."