When Hurricane Milton swept through central Florida, most residents evacuated to safety, heeding the urgent warnings. But for Sara Weldon and Rick Bass, owners of a farm in Clermont, Florida, leaving was never an option.

Their farm, home to dozens of animals they consider family, was in the storm’s direct path. As evacuation orders intensified, Sara and Rick chose to stay, protecting their animals and enduring the hurricane alongside them.

@oursimplehomestead Thank you all for the prayers❤️#cashthedonkey #farmlife #hurricane #milton #gratitude ♬ Majesty - Deeper Soaking Worship

A Bond Stronger Than the Storm

Clermont, located between Tampa and Orlando, was hit hard as Hurricane Milton raged across the state. Sara and Rick, owners of *Our Simple Homestead*, knew that evacuating with their animals would be nearly impossible. “These animals are our children,” Sara expressed emotionally in a video posted on TikTok, explaining the heart-wrenching decision to stay. In their seven years on the farm, they had weathered storms before, but nothing quite like Milton.

As People reports, Sara described the animals’ vital role in their lives. Their farm is home to ten donkeys, nine Highland cows, and a myriad of other animals, including chickens and dogs. For the couple, the logistics of transporting so many creatures, many of which lacked the necessary health certificates to cross state lines, was overwhelming.

Instead, they decided to bring the smaller, more vulnerable animals inside, giving them the chance to ride out the storm with some semblance of safety.

@oursimplehomestead Just trying to keep everyone updated on Milton and our farm. Please know i have read every comment, every message and am filled with so much love and gratitude for all of you❤️ thank you to the hundreds that offered farms for the animals- i am so so thbakful for the offer, at this point moving them would be too hard. I can feel all of you surrounding us with your prayers🙏#cashthedonkey #farmlife #hurricane #gratitude #animallove ♬ Boundless Worship - Josué Novais Piano Worship

Preparing for the Worst

As the storm drew nearer, Sara and Rick worked tirelessly to prepare. They stocked up on essentials: gas, propane, and ample feed for their animals.

“For us, the best thing to do in a storm is not to put them in a barn but to let them be loose,” Sara explained. Barns, though secure, can be dangerous during high winds, she shared with Upworthy.

When Milton finally arrived, Sara and Rick brought Cash, their baby donkey, into their bedroom, alongside their dogs, allowing the animals to find comfort in close proximity to their caregivers.

Their decision was not without risks. The couple monitored the storm closely, sharing regular updates on their TikTok account. In one particularly moving clip, Sara choked back tears as she said goodbye to her animals before the storm peaked, admitting she didn’t know if she’d see them again. The video resonated deeply with viewers, many of whom left comments offering prayers and support.

@oursimplehomestead Cash is in for the night❤️ He has such a calming presence. Its starting to get windier and windier as the daylight fades away.#cashthedonkey #farmlife #hurricane #gratitude ♬ Come Inside Of My Heart - IV Of Spades

Finding Strength Amid the Storm

As the hurricane tore through the region, the couple hunkered down with their animals, waiting for the worst to pass. Their bedroom became a sanctuary, housing not only Cash but also 20 baby chickens. The sight of Cash nestled next to Sara on the floor, while their dogs lay nearby, was a testament to their commitment to their animals.

The couple’s story quickly went viral, with videos on Bored Panda showing the heartbreaking and heartwarming moments they shared as they navigated the storm. People across the globe responded, sharing words of encouragement and offering help, should the couple need it.

@oursimplehomestead Trying to keep you updated.. we lost power and the storm is picking up. #cashthedonkey #farmlife #hurricane #animallove ♬ original sound - Our Simple Homestead

“We’ve been through storms before, but this one felt different,” Sara later told the New York Post.

As they waited out the hurricane, they felt an outpouring of love from followers who’d been captivated by their story. Their TikTok account saw a surge in followers, too, with people checking in regularly to see how Sara, Rick, and their animals were holding up.

@oursimplehomestead Just wanted to let you know we are ok🙏all the animals are ok🙏 we have no power or cell service right now, we drove to town to upload this. Thank you all for your prayers.#cashthedonkey #farmlife #hurricane ♬ original sound - Our Simple Homestead

After the Storm

The day after Hurricane Milton passed, Sara and Rick emerged from their home to assess the damage. While much of their property was impacted, their animals were safe. It was a relief that, despite their fears, the steps they’d taken to protect their animals had worked. As they posted their first post-storm video, Sara expressed her gratitude to their followers, who had sent messages of support throughout the ordeal.

Their story is one of love and resilience in the face of a natural disaster. For Sara and Rick, staying behind wasn’t just about preserving their farm but about keeping their family together. “Our animals are everything to us,” Sara shared in her final video. It’s a sentiment that resonated with viewers around the world, showing the extraordinary lengths some will go to for the creatures they cherish.

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