Diane Berberian was so inundated with calls from well-meaning friends and family inviting her to seek shelter from Hurricane Irma with them that she shut off her phone on Tuesday evening.

Despite the grave warnings, the 59-year-old Florida native isnt going anywhere. Its far too expensive for the St. Petersburg resident to leave. A flight out of nearby Tampa to Philadelphia, where Berberian has family, would cost her over $1,000, she said. (She noted that she has booked last-minute tickets to Philly in the past that cost as little as $200.)

Berberian is visually impaired, so she doesnt drive. Even if she did, gas stations across the state are running low on gas . Berberian lives alone and doesnt have relatives in the area, but she does have friends who will help her get to a shelter, should the need arise.

Ive been through this, Berberian told HuffPost of her past experiences with hurricanes. I have respect for weather, so I wouldnt do anything foolish.

Berberian is hardly alone when it comes to people being unable to escape a hurricane, even one as threatening as Irma.