TAMPA, Fla. — Oakland Manor Assisted Living was named after the giant oak trees that tower over it.
As Hurricane Milton roared through, branches and an entire tree crashed down, leaving plenty for Luisa Santos, the home’s operator, to clean up.
“She wants to clear all this debris and everything cause we have residents walking around,” said Wendy Tantozo, Luisa’s daughter.
Luisa immigrated from the Philippines 20 years ago and only recently moved to Tampa.
She stayed up all night keeping 28 special needs residents calm through the raging storm.
Luisa began cleanup before a tree service arrived because she wanted to make sure the ALF residents were safe, Wendy said.
Thursday, the morning after the hurricane, was her 73rd birthday, which she spent cleaning up the property.
“She was so happy. Everybody was greeting her happy birthday in the Philippines they already greeted her."
Her husband Winprito Santos helped her clear branches. He wished his wife had been more careful.
“One of the branches was hanging and then she keep cutting the lower part, the one that was touching the ground,” Santos said.
“The tree just fell on top of her,” Wendy said. “It just collapsed.”
Louisa was only four-and-a-half feet tall.
She was instantly crushed under the weight of the large branch.
“I ran inside. I screamed mamita got hit by a tree. Mamita got hit by a tree and everyone came running out here,” said Michelle Kolts, a resident who watched the branch fall.
“It's gonna be heartbreaking not seeing her anymore,” Kolts said.
As loved ones comforted Luisa’s family, a tree trimming crew arrived to remove and haul away the deadly branch.
Luisa’s death now a sober reminder of how deadly a hurricane can be, even after the wind, rain and storm surge are gone.
Tampa Police responded to the scene and investigated.
They believe her death was a tragic accident.
“Although the storm has passed, its devastation has tragically taken the life of one of our community members,” said Chief Lee Bercaw. “Our thoughts are with the family as they grieve their loved one.”
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