South Florida

South Florida Family Survives Brush With Hurricane Joaquin

A South Florida couple was happy to be back in Islamorada Wednesday after a scary experience in the Bahamas during Hurricane Joaquin.

The family, who runs Bud N' Mary's Marina in Islamorada said they asked God to spare them as they rode out the storm. They were spared and docked back home Wednesday afternoon.

There were tight long hugs and big kisses for a family that quite frankly wasn't sure they'd ever make it back after what felt like the longest family vacation in the Bahamas.

"We tried to hide in the garage because it's three stories, and the safest place was under the stair well in the garage and the garage door blew open and only by the grace of God stuff did not hit us and kill us," Richard Stanczyk said.

At a home alone in a remote area with the nearest people two miles out, Hurricane Joaquin paid a visit. They survived the core of of the Category 4 hurricane by being resourceful and taking shelter.

"We raced to the bathroom, we spent I think 20 hours in the bathroom, the three of us, her on a tub, her nephew on the ground and me on a toilet with a mattress covering us," Stanczyk said.

"There's a whistling sound that's indescribable, but if I ever hear it again I'll know it, it was very very frightening," Joanne Armandi said.

The family's boat was damaged and it took them four days to get back to Islamorada. They said they're glad to be back but their hearts are with the people in the Bahamas and they plan to make a trip back there very soon to help however they can.

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