Caroline Calloway, known as the “world’s worst influencer,” has announced that she will not evacuate her home in Florida, which is located in a mandatory evacuation zone ahead of Hurricane Milton. In a video posted on Tuesday, she expressed her awareness of the risks, saying, “So if you’ve been following Hurricane Milton, um, I’m going to die,” as the storm is predicted to cause severe danger to those who remain behind.
Calloway lives in Sarasota, an area expected to be hit hard by the hurricane, and noted that she resides in a Zone A evacuation area. Despite receiving warnings from officials indicating that staying could result in death, Calloway explained her reasons for staying put. She mentioned that she cannot drive and that local airports are closed due to the crisis.
Reflecting on her past experiences with evacuations, she recalled fleeing her home during Hurricane Ian to stay with her mother, which turned out to be traumatic due to flooding and a prolonged lack of power and water that necessitated military intervention for evacuation. Because of this experience, she is reluctant to repeat the process.
Ms. Calloway shared that she plans to stay home with her cat, stating she has filled her bathtub with backup water and has enough food to last. She acknowledged, however, that the situation is concerning and promised to keep her followers updated throughout the storm.
Afterward, she posted a video of Tampa Bay Mayor Jane Castor warning residents that those who do not evacuate may face deadly consequences. Calloway also shared images from her home, clearly showing its proximity to the ocean and expressing some apprehension about the unfolding situation.
In a post on X, she reiterated her decision to stay in Sarasota and acknowledged the potential dangers involved. She humorously promoted her upcoming book, “Elizabeth Wurtzel and Caroline Calloway’s Guide to Life,” suggesting that it would be available only if she survives the hurricane.
Calloway, who has built a controversial reputation, is infamous for deceiving fans with non-existent “creative workshops,” failing to deliver on a six-figure book deal, and marketing a skincare line humorously dubbed Snake Oil. She relocated to Florida a few years ago after facing reports of owing $40,000 in back rent for her apartment in West Village. Her story was also featured in a BBC documentary titled “My Insta Scammer Friend,” which explored the fallout from her deceptive practices.