If you lived in Tampa, would you leave?

[Lebowsky]

If things look bad on I 4 early sunday morning, I have tickets for a 10:30am flight out of TIA to Baltimore to fall back on. I'd rather drive, cause I don't want to get stuck somewhere once the storm passes, but I wouldn't rely just on driving.

[Innotech]

ja. Id leave the state and not come back.

[greeng13]

my 2 cents....

i would wait and see how this track unfolds.

then i would follow evacuation orders if told to do so...if you evacuate and are not in an "evacuation zone" you could easily add to the already large migrane of those who are ordered to evacuate and therefore are quite possibly in the most danger..

not to sound rude but that may be somewhat selfish to do IMO...if everyone evacuates today then no one will get out by the time this storm comes!

just pay attention and use your best judgement but don't block the roads for those who need them

[lurkerinthemidst]

If this forecast sticks we are out of here! We are going to Tennessee. WE were going to leave on Friday night to "beat the rush" the only problem is that IF this storm doesn't hit the Tampa Bay Area then my Hubbie has to be at work. SO if we head north then it hits to the north and misses Clearwater (where he works) then he will be expected to report to work on Tuesday. SO there is the dilemma...... I also think others also have the same problem. The economics in the state will be a problem for many for MONTHS to come. IMO

[greeng13]

If this forecast sticks we are out of here! We are going to Tennessee. WE were going to leave on Friday night to "beat the rush" the only problem is that IF this storm doesn't hit the Tampa Bay Area then my Hubbie has to be at work. SO if we head north then it hits to the north and misses Clearwater (where he works) then he will be expected to report to work on Tuesday. SO there is the dilemma...... I also think others also have the same problem. The economics in the state will be a problem for many for MONTHS to come. IMO

i'm sorry i guess my post might have sounded a bit callous...my whole family resides around various parts of the tambay area (numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, 2 sisters, mom and dad...etc..) i just remember floyd evacuation and now SC said (i believe...a little help here please) don't necessarily leave until told to do so (granted that is putting a lot of faith in our elected officials) or you might just be adding to the prob..

also my post did not take into account the economic hardships/turmoil throughout the whole state and the need for people to get back to work (if their place of business still exists down there!!)

y'all hang in there my thoughts are with you and if i didn't live paycheck to paycheck i would be down there helping you myself (hell i'd even take a week off it it hit tambay to bring generators, etc...down for my family)

[Mello1]

Don't wait too long to leave. Imagine the state the roads will be in heading north....

I'd go Friday night if it still looks like it will be close to Tampa.

Sat/Sun the roads will be jammed.

yes don't wait to long...

I agree. Gas up now and watch the reports. Put a grab bag in your car so that if you need to move quickly, you don't have to waste a lot of time packing.

[greeng13]

"I agree. Gas up now and watch the reports. Put a grab bag in your car so that if you need to move quickly, you don't have to waste a lot of time packing"

that's a good point mello1...if there is gas available down there get it (my sisters both said it was out when they tried to evac for charley and one sister had to drive several miles to find on with gas for frances)

[lurkerinthemidst]

greeng13 - I didn't take offense to what you said or anyone else. I posted before I read your post.
I was just trying to make the point that several people here are in a pickle because of work. They want to get out of dodge but may not be able to because of work. It is a tough choice to make. We have burnt up our vaction this year on Hurricanes, because company is making us take the days off as vacation time. - WOW what a vacation!!!! We are really enjoying this one. -yea right!

[Deana Cuevas]

I'm in Tampa - North Dale, Do you think I will be impacted? I work downtown in the Amsouth Building. We are still going to be coming to work on Monday. Do you think it is safe?

[Deana Cuevas]

I agree no vacation for me. I am using on the hurricane!

[Stormy1]

I'd keep a darn close eye on things and be ready to bolt at the first hint of evacuations. Take a look at the post farther down: Tampa flood map. That information should give you something to seriously think about.

[Lebowsky]

Unless it speed up monday will be reasonably safe, imo, though really everyone should be preparing for the storm, not working.

This is a killer storm unless something changes, not to be trifled with.

[FireForEffect]

You wont be going to work if it is hitting Tampa on Monday, that is absurd. Downtown Tampa would get levelled by a CAT4 or 5 direct hit.

[Deana Cuevas]

We were thinking of working Monday till mid afternoon the company I work for is really good about making sure we are safe. I just worry. I really hope it doesn't come here but everything says it will or damn close.

[ay]

I also work in Downtown, but live in South Tampa. As much as I would like to get the heck out of town, it really doesn't make alot of sense to do that, provided you have a place to go.

We're in a C evacuation, but only about a half mile off bayshore. We'll head to friends house in the Avila/North Tampa area and ride it out in a safe room. When the storm is over, I want to be as close to home as possible to address whatever problems might have taken place. If you leave the state, think about how long it would take you to get back here, and what might be accomplished in terms of clean up and salvaging things in a worse case scenario.

Not many people in homes die in storms if they stay indoors. So why leave? You only are deferring the pain, and putting yourself through alot of agony.

One more thing.....GO CANES.

[therock1811]

If it were me...this is the timeline I'd use:

Friday AM: I'd tell my boss I was staying home so I could board up my house.
Friday night: Depending on what officials said, I'd at least send my family northward to KY/OH. If I could leave myself, I'd be gone too.
The following is if I wasn't told to leave:
Saturday morning: Get supplies.
Sunday-Tuesday: final preps.
Wednesday: Wait.

[smashmode]

I have family in Tampa(that live right on the water in a third floor apartment) and they are debating if they should leave or not. Advice anyone? Heading south doesnt seem to smart so I would think to go North if anything.

Just to be safe, I would start thinking about leaving Tampa Bay, if you check the evacuation maps (5 color's)

This would most likely reach Evac level E..if you check those maps..basically Tampa Bay and St Pete would be utterly devastated..to the point, where I do not think the city would be able to function anymore.

[tanda35]

The crowds should be virtually non-existent this weekend, what with Ivan knocking on the door. I will be waving at all of you headed north up the interstate. Be sure to wave back!

[lurkerinthemidst]

I am in a pre Andrew mobile. I am NOT stay by any means unless they say this thing is going to extreme south or extreme west ( AL,MS,FL/AL line) without damage to Pasco county or TS winds only.
Frances did a lot of damage in our area and she was only a TS when she got here. I can't imagine a category anything.

Also I thought no damage from Frances on my home... well wrong, roof is now leaking. Ceiling is holding water and seeping through at light fixtures. UGH !!!! Elec and water don't mix! I will deal with that after IVAN!

[wxwatcher2]

As of the 11pm 9/9/04 track from the NHC, it takes the storm right up over Tampa Bay.
I would not stay in an apartment near the water.

IF this track is verified, I would make plans to evacuate remember that the track of the storm is North into Georgia.
Stay safe.