Former Cincinnati media personality rides out Hurricane Irma in Naples
Jan Thompson Goldsmith describes hours of sheer terror
Jan Thompson Goldsmith describes hours of sheer terror
Jan Thompson Goldsmith describes hours of sheer terror
Jan Thompson Goldsmith and her husband decided to stay in their neighborhood in Naples, Florida, despite listening to meteorologists talk about how ferocious the storm could be.
One reason the Goldsmiths stayed put is because their home sits about a block away from what was a mandatory evacuation zone.
It's a decision Jan Goldsmith started to regret as soon as Irma began bearing down on her home.
"It is psychologically, mentally, emotionally, and physically exhausting," she said. "I can't even explain to you the terror that we had yesterday, just not knowing and then seeing this thing go through."
While dozens of trees are down in her yard and there are holes in her roof, Goldsmith is grateful no one she knows was hurt.
A native of Covington and graduate of Northern Kentucky University, Goldsmith is also grateful she was able to get her father on a plane out of Florida last week. He's staying with cousins in Kenton County.
"A big shout out to Darlene and Jerry for taking care of Uncle Snooks," Goldsmith said. "Otherwise this would have been so traumatic for him and we're so happy that he's up there because this would have just been too much."
Knowing her father is safe, the former Cincinnati radio disc jockey is simply thankful her friends and family in Florida are alive.
"Oh, my God," she said. "To see the 145 mile per hour winds go by you, and then we're certain we saw a tornado or water spout, as we were looking out at the lake, just go in circles. The devastation around here, the trees that are down, is unbelievable."
As of late Monday afternoon, the Goldsmiths and their neighbors in Naples were still without power.
The Goldsmiths are working to clear trees from their driveway so they can drive to an area with electricity in order to find out what's going on in the south Florida city they love.