Disney over disaster.
Cecily Bauchmann is getting candid on her social media footage ahead of Hurricane Milton.
Earlier this week, the influencer posted a now-deleted video highlighting her packing process for a family trip to Florida. In the clip, the mom-of-four explained they were set to head to the airport in just an hour despite the Southern state preparing for the hurricane.
On Thursday — after days of backlash — the creator took to her TikTok and Instagram Story and shared that she had abandoned the trip and apologized to followers.
“Hi guys, I wanted to make a video from my last video prior to leaving to go to Florida and just explain everything,” Bauchmann began. “My family is no longer in Florida. We are now in Nashville, and we left Florida once evacuation orders were issued. We had planned this trip to go to Florida during fall break.”
“We had called our hotel and were advised that it was still under an aerial flood watch and that in the location where we would be, we would be okay,” she continued.
The influencer took a moment to reflect on her decision and admitted she wasn’t fully aware of what was to come with Milton.
“That decision, do I regret it? Absolutely,” continued Bauchmann. “I am very naive when it comes to the way storms develop and how quickly they can develop. Looking back, that is something that I wish I could change. This storm quickly turned into a Category 5 hurricane, and NASA declared it the fastest advancing hurricane in history.”
Bauchmann shares kids Capri, 10, James, 9, Gracie, 6, and Jackson, 4, with husband Sam Bauchmann.
Bauchmann noted that once the storm was declared a Category 5 hurricane, her family decided to evacuate. Touching on the devastation Hurricane Milton is causing for people and their families, she revealed that she is now investing in supporting relief organizations.
In a follow-up Instagram Story, Bauchmann posted a resource link for followers.
“This is something that I will be supporting and continue following up with,” she concluded. “I couldn’t continue on with life without posting this video. Hurricane Milton is heavy on my heart right now, and it will continue to be. Thanks for watching. Love you guys.”
Critics initially blasted the influencer when she initially revealed her plans for The Happiest Place on Earth.
“I just had to go through Helene and there is no way I would put my children in the direct path of a hurricane. Especially not this one,” someone responded at the time.
“DO BETTER Influencers going to Disney despite Hurricane Milton about to absolutely smack Florida,” a second person noted, while a third wrote they had “lost all” respect for her.
After her apology, however, some supported her.
One person shared in their own video, “I feel like her apology was genuine, and she probably does really regret the decision she made because of the public humiliation she received. She probably still feels bad about people losing their home, like who could not?”
Another social media user said in a clip, “I commend them for addressing this and explaining their intentions. I don’t believe they had anything but good intentions. I admire them for taking this situation and using it to shed light and raise money on the hurricane victims and relief efforts.”
Rounding out the support for Bauchmann, a TikTokker posted: “I don’t think they should be cancelled. I think when you’re in the public eye and something you say/do is no received well, you should take accountability and address it.”
