Which is more populated? EC FL or WC FL?

[adelphi_sky]

Just asking. It's interesting that when Charley hit, people evacuated east? Then Frances, people evacuated west? Now it's back east again? Or north? But they can't go north because that's where the storm is projected to head. If they go south, they still will be caught in some form of heavy wind and rain. Nowhere to go.

[TPACane04]

Pinellas County (St Pete/Clearwater) is the most densely populated county in the state...for what its worth...damn near all the county is Level 1 or 2 evac zone...

2 mil plus in Tampa Bay area....and many went right into the teeth of Charley when the evacuated east.

If we were guaranteed a direct hit and people knew it...best bet would be to head either due north or south...but that kind of info is not the way the game is played....your evac route is somewhat of a gamble...as Charley proved!

[x-y-no]

Overall the east coast is significantly more heavily populated, but the west coast is working on catching up.

As for what direction to evacuate, the best idea is to get inland but not go too far.

[DCA]

5.5 million people in Miami-Dade, Broward & Palm Beach counties as of 2000 census. Thats about 1/3 of the states population. Throw in Jax at 1 million and the rest of the east siders (Daytona etc) and it should be around 7 million. West side can't be more than 4 million (FMY, TPA)
(excluding MCO) Just a quick guess though

[WindyWx]

The least populated coastal area of the state is in the Panhandle where storm surge becomes an enormous problem. Need to watch where Jeb heads because you'll know he won't be at ground zero.

[Innotech]

Id personally head northwest into the panhandle, then book it as far north as possible, preferably diagonally.

[TropicalJen]

my met said he believes an unusual sw entry in Miami cross the state, but tell the bay area residents to prepare for the inevitable possibilty. I see it going to the panhandle but thats why I'm not a met, I don't see what will bump it of its wnw path, at this path landfall should be border of FL/AL in panhandle.