After Hurricane Ian struck Fort Myers, Florida, residents began sifting through the debris, frantically searching for family members who had become unreachable. Beth Booker was among those desperately seeking loved ones.
Booker’s 78-year-old mother, Carole McDanel, resided in Fort Myers and had chosen not to evacuate, underestimating the hurricane's impact on her coastal town. When Booker saw images of her mother’s home submerged, she turned to Twitter to find her.
On September 28, Booker made a heartfelt appeal on social media: “I have never felt more helpless in my life. I called my mom, and it went to voicemail. I’m hoping she put her phone on airplane mode to conserve battery. I’m terrified. I can’t stop shaking.” She added, “Please, angels. Help her get through this. I can’t believe this is happening.” Her post resonated with people nationwide, who responded with prayers, advice, and suggestions on how to reach her elderly mother.
Cellphone service is often disrupted after hurricanes due to damaged cell towers, a fact highlighted by several Twitter users. Others recommended that Booker submit a “shelter in place” form to help officials track her mother’s whereabouts.
To centralize the efforts to find her mother, Booker created the hashtag #GetCaroleHome, hoping it would make it easier for people to contribute and stay updated. The distress of losing contact with her mother, coupled with the frightening images of her submerged home, made it understandable for Booker to fear the worst.
In a follow-up video on Twitter, Booker reflected, “You see these things on the news, on social media, in other cities, and you know they can happen here in Florida. But when it’s happening to you, it’s almost beyond belief.”
Fortunately, rescue operations soon began. According to Good Morning America, Booker's husband and a friend set out in a boat to search for Carole. They found her safe and sound, sitting on her couch where she had weathered the storm.
Booker shared a heartfelt update on Twitter, revealing that her mother had been found safe. The touching photo of their reunion was a moment of relief and joy.
As disaster recovery continues in Florida, communities work hard to restore their homes and lives. While many families are still waiting for news of their loved ones, it's a comfort to know that Carole is safe and Beth Booker's fears have been eased.