Confused... need evac advice, please

[baygirl_1]

Okay, we're still deliberating about our evacuation. Everything's pretty much in place, just some loose ends to tie up in the AM. Then, we'll make our decision if we ride it out with family here or get the heck outta Dodge. The evacuation orders given by the local officials will play a big role in that decision.
Here's the quandry: If we decide to leave, we are confused whether to head to my sister's home in upstate in Alabama or book a hotel room in Florida (Tallahassee is pretty much booked, so we'd have to go with Lake City, Gainesville, or Jacksonville). My sister told me that on our local news, the National Weather Service was telling folks not to head north as the storm will cause hurricane conditions far inland. They have been urging folks here to go east. So, that seems to toss upstate Alabama out. However, I think it would certainly be better upstate than it will be here on the coast. Less impact and spending such a stressful time with family is pretty appealing. However, the "other camp" thinks we definitely should follow the NWS and get a hotel reservation somewhere in Florida.
I don't know, perhaps it's just sensory overload (too many maps and too much data!) or too many decisions to make all at once, but I welcome others opinions on this for us to consider as we make our decision.

[Air Force Met]

Okay, we're still deliberating about our evacuation. Everything's pretty much in place, just some loose ends to tie up in the AM. Then, we'll make our decision if we ride it out with family here or get the heck outta Dodge. The evacuation orders given by the local officials will play a big role in that decision.
Here's the quandry: If we decide to leave, we are confused whether to head to my sister's home in upstate in Alabama or book a hotel room in Florida (Tallahassee is pretty much booked, so we'd have to go with Lake City, Gainesville, or Jacksonville). My sister told me that on our local news, the National Weather Service was telling folks not to head north as the storm will cause hurricane conditions far inland. They have been urging folks here to go east. So, that seems to toss upstate Alabama out. However, I think it would certainly be better upstate than it will be here on the coast. Less impact and spending such a stressful time with family is pretty appealing. However, the "other camp" thinks we definitely should follow the NWS and get a hotel reservation somewhere in Florida.
I don't know, perhaps it's just sensory overload (too many maps and too much data!) or too many decisions to make all at once, but I welcome others opinions on this for us to consider as we make our decision.

Go...and Go to Florida.

[rainydaze]

I think that if you have the ability and means you should evacuate...just to be on the safe side. Gainesville sounds the best to me.

[NEXRAD]

If your sister is at least 75 miles inland, then I'd recommend that... Katrina ought be moving slow enough that the storm cannot transport too much of its winds far inland. For example, the Birmingham area will likely escape without too much wind impact.

I suspect that the recommendations are not to head north, as people might decide to move only 20 or 30 miles north then camp out at a hotel or the sort, where strong winds will be a real threat.

- Jay
KSC FL

[Mello1]

Of course, you have to make this decision yourself, but for me, I would err on the side of caution. While the tracks all point towards NO, a turn to the east could put you in a place that you don't want to be. This is a HUGH storm that will be dumping lots of rain in TN, KY and the OH valley, not to mention MS and AL. I suggest that you heed the NWS advice and head east to FL.

[adelphi_sky]

Florida seems like your best bet. I was in the path of Isabel when it was a weakening tropical storm. Threw a tree onto my deck. It appears it will still be a hurricane into Alabama. I wouldn't want to experience that even with family.

[ROCK]

East Texas if you dont want the crowds....Beaumont, Winnie....It might not the greatest scenery but you are well out of reach.....

[weatherSnoop]

If going east into Florida/SE Ga is an option (many people cannot afford a hotel), that should put you further away from alot of danger. The point of evacuating is to get out of immediate/catostrophic danger. For me, if possible, I would get as far away from the storm and its reminets as possible. At least I could pretend to be on vacation rather than having to duck and cover. That is just me!

[jaysonx]

I would leave, this thing could still shift east some and go in somewhere in MS. You don't want to get stuck with an evac order a few hours before the storm is coming ashore!

[seaswing]

I live between Lake City and Gainesville. I didn't see many rooms taken at the hotels/motels when I was in Gainesville earlier. I do not think we will see much more than some rain....come on down, I think you'll find plenty of room. Just don't wait too long. You could even get wayyyyy east and go to Jax. if you needed to. Good luck and be safe!

[Skipper12]

[quote="baygirl_1"]Okay, we're still deliberating about our evacuation. Everything's pretty much in place, just some loose ends to tie up in the AM. Then, we'll make our decision if we ride it out with family here or get the heck outta Dodge. The evacuation orders given by the local officials will play a big role in that decision.

Here's the quandry: If we decide to leave, we are confused whether to head to my sister's home in upstate in Alabama or book a hotel room in Florida (Tallahassee is pretty much booked, so we'd have to go with Lake City, Gainesville, or Jacksonville). My sister told me that on our local news, the National Weather Service was telling folks not to head north as the storm will cause hurricane conditions far inland. They have been urging folks here to go east. So, that seems to toss upstate Alabama out. However, I think it would certainly be better upstate than it will be here on the coast. Less impact and spending such a stressful time with family is pretty appealing. However, the "other camp" thinks we definitely should follow the NWS and get a hotel reservation somewhere in Florida.
I don't know, perhaps it's just sensory overload (too many maps and too much data!) or too many decisions to make all at once, but I welcome others opinions on this for us to consider as we make our decision.[/quote]

Hi Baygirl,

We live in the Fl Panhandle and can sympathize.

Agree with AFMet on Evacuating......much better safe than sorry.

For conditions in Florida's I-10, here's a link with up to date info: http://www3.dot.state.fl.us/trafficinformation/

Suggest leaving as early as is practical tomorrow. The only existing problem on I-10 is the eastbound bridge over Pensacola Bay. It's down to one lane. Suggest taking Route 90 (paralells I-10 a few miles north), as a workaround, from Pcola thru Milton.

Dunno about hotel room availability.....Suggest trying Marianna and further east along I-10....... Whenever we evac'd (Ivan and Dennis) , we stayed in either Valdosta or Tifton, Georgia. Easy commute, minimal traffic, plenty of rooms.

Best of luck!

Take care,
Skipper

[jes]

Baygirl,
Unless your South of I10 I don't think there will be a mandatory evacuation this time. The mandatory evac. for Dennis was just political because the Red Cross refused to man our shelters at the last minute. I don't know anyone who is leaving ---- its going to be very scary going through this storm (if it comes here), but remember most people are killed due to flood -- not wind.

[beachbum_al]

I live across from you and my understanding is that the evac will start at 8am. First the low lying areas and then the other. I have heard also to go east--into Florida. I would invite you to my house but I wouldn't advise it since I live near the water myself.

And yes I am stressed. Okay now I am taking the thread over. Sorry.

I would leave if you don't have a safe place to stay. If the authorities ask you to leave do it!

[baygirl_1]

Thanks, everyone for your very informative opinions. We remain in the deliberative state. However, we are leaning more toward FL. After considering what folks around here and South MS are going to be waking up to (evacuations), I'm becoming concerned about going north on I-65 or U.S. 43 as those are routes out people usually take. In fact, this afternoon the mayor of Biloxi was suggesting MS folks who are evacuating take I-190 to I-65 to avoid all the New Orleans traffic on I-12 and other major highways going north/east through MS.
Thanks, especially for the info about possible destinations. I'm afraid East Texas is out of the question for us as we'd never be able to make it west through New Orleans... do not want to go there (understatement!). But, Gainesville and Jacksonville are looking pretty good. I even found hotels there that take pets and have rooms available! Thanks, again, y'all!
Oh... also... I'm also worried it might go a bit further east. After all, Ivan and Dennis both made eastward jogs just before landfall. Scary!
Be careful all!

[Air Force Met]

If your sister is at least 75 miles inland, then I'd recommend that... Katrina ought be moving slow enough that the storm cannot transport too much of its winds far inland. For example, the Birmingham area will likely escape without too much wind impact.

I suspect that the recommendations are not to head north, as people might decide to move only 20 or 30 miles north then camp out at a hotel or the sort, where strong winds will be a real threat.

- Jay
KSC FL

The reason I suggested to go east was because of inland tornadoes...not the wind impact.

[baygirl_1]

If your sister is at least 75 miles inland, then I'd recommend that... Katrina ought be moving slow enough that the storm cannot transport too much of its winds far inland. For example, the Birmingham area will likely escape without too much wind impact.

I suspect that the recommendations are not to head north, as people might decide to move only 20 or 30 miles north then camp out at a hotel or the sort, where strong winds will be a real threat.

- Jay
KSC FL

The reason I suggested to go east was because of inland tornadoes...not the wind impact.

Ahhh.... tornadoes. Yes! There were a few of those around my sister's place upstate during Ivan last year. That was scary, for sure.
Statement of the Obvious Alert:
I HATE HURRICANES!!!!!!
I just had to get that out of my system... we now return you to regular (and more pertinent) board posts.

[NEXRAD]

Excellent point, Airforce Met.

Jay
KSC FL

[raisinsnacks]

Come to Little Rock. It's just like New Orleans, without the fun.

[Air Force Met]

Come to Little Rock. It's just like New Orleans, without the fun.

BWAHAHAHA...now that's funny.

Thanks for the humor...much needed during my time of dread.

Just heard the OEM director in NOLA say that Max Mayfield told him this was the big one they had all been talking about.

Need humor.

[sandy73]

You mean the "big one" for New Orleans ?