Just a week after arriving, the 20-year-old was yesterday evacuated, because of Hurricane Irma, from Eckerd College, in St Petersburg, Florida, where she has a basketball scholarship. Miss Richards is now staying at a resort inland of Tampa.
The category 5 hurricane — downgraded last night to a category 4 — has caused destruction through the Caribbean.
It is expected to hit Florida tomorrow.
Miss Richards was unsure how long she would be away from the college, as it would depend on the effects of the storm.
The main concern was flooding along the coastal areas, where the college was situated.
Miss Richards said many students had driven or flown home, although for her, things were more difficult.
Being a hurricane-prone area, students were required to have an evacuation plan.
After explaining she did not have a cell phone and she could not easily get back to Dunedin, she decided email was the best way for the college to notify her of any emergencies.
From there she could follow the university’s plan.
When the news emerged the hurricane was on its way, Miss Richards did some online research and realised she would need to evacuate.
‘‘I knew that classes were going to evacuate. It’s a category 5, we’re so close to the water,’’ she said.
‘‘I’ve been talking to people and they said the main thing for us, because of the flooding that happened in Texas [caused by Hurricane Harvey], they’re trying to warn everyone early. ‘‘They want everyone to have enough time to evacuate and get out before it hits. ‘‘So that’s why they’ve just been extra cautious and trying to get everyone aware of the situation and make plans.
‘‘Heaps of people already had plans in place for if a hurricane was coming, so they already knew what they were going to do. ‘‘But for me, I wasn’t sure. So I just started packing my bags, because I knew there was going to be a high chance I’d be leaving soon.’’
Having been able to take just one suitcase of belongings, she had done her best to protect what was left in her dormitory. Although she was a bit scared, Miss Richards was enjoying the nice weather before the storm hit and trusting the school’s staff would keep her safe.
It was difficult having not yet had a chance to make many friends and she was without twin sister, Brittany, for the first time in her life.
Last year, the twins attended Gillette College, Wyoming, before transferring to play a higher level of basketball.
Brittany was at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, well away from hurricane danger.
The duo had returned to Dunedin over the holidays and played for the Andy Bay Falcons and Otago Gold Rush.
By Jeff Cheshire
