CRYSTAL RIVER, Fla. — Locals in Crystal River say they were not taking chances and started preparing immediately for Tropical Storm Nicole.
What You Need To Know
- Nicole is expected to move across Florida Thursday morning
- The area is still reeling from Hurricane Ian in September
- One honeymooning couple say they are going out of their way to be prepared for the storm
For their honeymoon, Chris and Kirsten England planned to spend a week in Crystal River. Both are U.S. Coast Guard licensed captains who were hoping to enjoy sailing and manatee season.
Now they say mother nature has changed their course.
The newlyweds went to the nearest sandbag collection site Wednesday to prep their vacation home, which sits on a canal along Kings Bay.
"The floating docks are actually sitting on the ground right now," Chris England said. "Normally they would be floating in four feet of water but their actually sitting on the ground because the water is being sucked out of the canal."
England spent his childhood in Fort Myers Beach and said he's devastated by the damage caused by Hurricane Ian.
"I had survivor's guilt," he said. "I couldn't turn the TV off."
Due to the possibility of flooding and power outages, the couple expects to hunker down for the next few days.
"We do have water intrusion potentially through the garage door," England said.
The couple has accepted what they call their 'Hurricane Honeymoon'.
"We love the area, we love the people — we wouldn't want to be anywhere else, so it's worth it to us," Kirsten England said.