“She’s pretty darn strong …”
Finding Hope in the Aftermath of Hurricane Milton
As a national correspondent for NewsNation, Ryan Bass spent weeks documenting the devastation caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton in Florida’s Tampa Bay area. While much of the destruction was heartbreaking, the morning after Hurricane Milton brought an unexpected glimmer of hope amid the rubble.
A Morning of Discovery
On October 10, just after sunrise, Bass and his photographer arrived at a damaged building on Tampa’s Palmetto Beach. After conducting several reports on the hurricane’s impact, they pulled up to the site for a 6 a.m. live shot when Bass heard an unexpected sound.
“I heard meowing by the debris,” he recalled. After two back-to-back hurricanes, Bass was accustomed to the typical post-storm sounds—generators humming and construction vehicles navigating the destruction—but he had never heard meows in such an environment before.
A Resilient Feline
Concerned that an animal might be trapped beneath the wreckage, Bass followed the cries. To his surprise, a little mocha-colored tortoiseshell cat emerged from the pile. Despite the destruction around her, she seemed unscathed and remarkably friendly.
“She just kind of pokes her head out, and she was super sweet,” Bass noted. Though a bit skittish at first, the cat quickly warmed up, purring and rubbing against his legs. Her survival in such chaotic circumstances was a testament to her resilience.
“She did survive the storm, so, obviously, she’s pretty darn strong,” Bass said, relieved that the cat appeared healthy and full of energy. He affectionately nicknamed her Milton, showering her with pets before continuing his reporting.
Instant Fame
During his live shot, Bass mentioned Milton, who made a brief appearance on camera, charming viewers in the process. After the segment aired, Bass shared a photo of Milton on his X account, which quickly went viral, garnering millions of views.
While many adoption inquiries flooded in, the family who owned the damaged building stepped forward to care for the cat.
A New Home for Milton
Dana Head, one of the building’s workers, expressed her joy at finding Milton. “As I was speaking to her, the cat came up and started interacting with the family,” Bass explained. The family quickly fell in love with the friendly feline and decided they couldn’t part with her.
“They sent me a text that said, ‘We are already attached to Milton and think we’re gonna keep her,’” Bass shared. “She’s just so darn sweet.”
A Silver Lining Amid the Ruins
As the family of Pilgrim Permocoat, Inc. continues to rebuild their home and business following the storm, they now have a loyal companion in Milton. In the wake of such heartbreaking damage, Milton has brought joy and hope to a community in need.
“It’s really a heartwarming and happy ending that we were able to find this cat in the rubble of their building,” Bass said. “I’m really glad they got attached to her.” In the face of adversity, Milton’s presence serves as a reminder of resilience and the power of connection.