What would you do?

[Joeint]

We're on our way today to TV and our ner home in DeSoto and were driving into a hurricane. We have to leave today we no longer have a place to stay in Michigan so we're heading South. I'll play it by ear and possibly stop for a few days somewhere on the way down. We're in a car with a dog a POD to follow on September 9th. What would do???

[Martian]

Don't worry. Watch the storm path and if you are going to intercept it, then stay in a quality inn for a day or two. The heaviest winds seldom last more than a day or two.

We are closing on the 4th - LOL... I expect the storm to be in Alabama or N Ga by then, or I hope so. We be driving through it also most likely.

[Davidjr113]

Interesting post to me as I am in a similar boat, due to leave New England Saturday & arrive Florida Sunday evening, I am thinking I might arrive before anything gets bad which would be OK, but no idea what Florida roads southbound might be like Sunday. Seems tome if I delay departure from here, which I could it would have to be at at least a week. In your case, if you don’t stop a few days anywhere, I would think you should be in your new home by Saturday and in good shape to wait out the storm at home.

[Kerry Azz]

Take a nice ride and enjoy your trip here, there’s no need to worry about things you have no control over. The hurricane won’t hit until Monday or Tuesday. Congratulations on the new chapter of your life.

[Joeint]

The one big concern I have is the availability of gas as we get further South. I'll keep an eye on my mileage and make sure I fill up at the furthest point to get me there.

[mulligan]

One thing to keep an eye on, is a mandatory evacuation order. At that point, all lanes on 95 & 75 will be northbound. None will be southbound until the all clear is given by the Governor.

[rjm1cc]

I would try and make it a day before the huricane is schedule to arrive. Have supplies incase their is no electric for a few days. Other than evacuation traffic to deal with you should be ok.

[rjm1cc]

Interesting post to me as I am in a similar boat, due to leave New England Saturday & arrive Florida Sunday evening, I am thinking I might arrive before anything gets bad which would be OK, but no idea what Florida roads southbound might be like Sunday. Seems tome if I delay departure from here, which I could it would have to be at at least a week. In your case, if you don’t stop a few days anywhere, I would think you should be in your new home by Saturday and in good shape to wait out the storm at home.

I would try and leave a day earlier.

[mark47]

Been in Florida for over 25 years and in the middle of hurricanes. IMO stay out of Florida until you can evaluate what is going on. If this is a cat 3 near the villages you will have no power, no gas, no food and no water for at least 3 days. You don't want to be in Florida in Aug/Sept with no ac. IMO there is no logical reason to rush to Florida to ride out the storm.

[raynan]

When we came down from MA we stayed one night (with our collie) in VA and we booked a second night in GA. We really didn't need that second night with both of us alternating driving. The dog was a great traveler (which we didn't know ahead of time). So, if you are sharing the driving and alternating every 2-3 hours you can do it with one overnight stay.

[Inexes@aol.com]

One thing to keep an eye on, is a mandatory evacuation order. At that point, all lanes on 95 & 75 will be northbound. None will be southbound until the all clear is given by the Governor.

Not necessarily true. With the massive evacuation for Irma, 2 years ago.... this did not happen. Southbound lanes were left open. Had everyone guessing because all were of the opinion that they would be Northbound. They were not.

[rjn5656]

Wait til it is over.

[Chatbrat]

Stay somewhere else--you might be moving into a hornet's nest, what's the rush?

[GolfGirl122]

If you left Michigan today, overnight near Chattanooga- then drive to TV on Friday - you should be ok. But stock up on a few days provisions, BEFORE you get here as the shelves are clearing out. Keep us posted and let us know how you’re doing.

[Velvet]

Stay away if you can, enjoy a small unscheduled trip for a few days. Maybe a hotel with a pool .... then you’ll know the conditions that you are coming to face when you arrive. Did the power go out? Unlikely as they run underground. Are the streets washed out? Trees down. Is there fresh food at Publix? Etc.

[paulat585]

One thing to keep an eye on, is a mandatory evacuation order. At that point, all lanes on 95 & 75 will be northbound. None will be southbound until the all clear is given by the Governor.
Thanks for this info. I was planning to drive from Ohio to TV, leaving Saturday, arriving Sunday P.M. Guess I'll have to keep watching. My rental starts Sunday.

[charmed59]

Check with your rental folks. My renter, scheduled for Sunday, is coming in Saturday. Though my house was empty, I wouldn’t be surprised if Renters scheduled to leave Sunday would like to leave earlier to also be off the roads Sunday.

[Syd2008]

If you do not need to weather the storm don’t. We just arrived last Friday to start our life here. Staying put but if on way down we would sit it out further North. Delay if only a few days.

[John_W]

Roads coming south won't be a problem. I remember in 1979 I was in Savannah and had to get to my home in Pensacola, Hurricane Frederic was 200 miles south in the Gulf and headed north. I got on I-10 at Tallahassee and the entire 200 miles to Pensacola I didn't pass one car, I did 80 mph the whole way, didn't even see a cop. Eastbound lanes away from Pensacola/Mobile were bumper to bumper. Once you get here, it would be slow going is you want to go back north. You might stop in Georgia. Check this board to be sure we have power and water, and if everything is OK, continue on. During Hurricane Irma we never lost power or water.

[Spoiler]

Same here... our home in NC closes on Tuesday morning and then we drive the rental truck to the Village of Monarch Grove.

I was planning to stay near the FL state line and roll in Wednesday about noon. Hopefully the action will over by then...

Hmmm.... :undecided:

[CFrance]

We're on our way today to TV and our ner home in DeSoto and were driving into a hurricane. We have to leave today we no longer have a place to stay in Michigan so we're heading South. I'll play it by ear and possibly stop for a few days somewhere on the way down. We're in a car with a dog a POD to follow on September 9th. What would do???
Keep track of where all the dog-friendly motels are en route. Coming from Michigan, there are LaQuintas, Drury Inns, a Holiday Inn outside of Murfreesboro, Loews Loves Pets in Nashville across the street from Vanderbilt. Go to one of the web sites for traveling with your dog. Bringfido.com is a pretty good one.


If the hurricane looks like it will hit central Florida, you might want to stop in Tennessee. Good luck and safe travels.

[valuemkt]

No reason to rush here .. Find a spot in Tennessee or Alabama an have some fun

[tophcfa]

If I was in the OP's situation I would get to the Villages ASAP, and stop frequently on the way to keep my gas tank filled and also bring a couple of full spare gas cans with me just in case. I would also bring some tarps, spare shingles, and some roofing nails. It is extremely frustrating to NOT be at our Villages home during a potentially damaging storm knowing there is next to nothing we can do if our home gets damaged. I fear having our shingles/roof damaged during a severe downpour and not being able to do anything to fix it.

[mulligan]

Not necessarily true. With the massive evacuation for Irma, 2 years ago.... this did not happen. Southbound lanes were left open. Had everyone guessing because all were of the opinion that they would be Northbound. They were not.

Which is exactly why bI said keep an eye on it .

[DugCave]

Don't go looking for trouble. Stay where you are and let things blow over. You may be in a situation where there will be no elect., gas lines food and drinking shortages.

[thelegges]

We flew in the day after Erma no problem, Amazon was delivered to our home next day.

[Joeint]

We're spending Friday night in Macon Georgia. I'll check the weather out in the morning. Does anyone know anyone know any fun stuff to do in Macon?


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[pauld315]

Stay away if you can. It baffles me why people want to drive into a hurricane. I have gone through several and they really are no fun. On top of that, The Villages is closing all outdoor recreation facilities starting tomorrow, all indoor rec centers starting Sunday and all golf courses after noon on Sunday. I know the courses are closed at least until after next Thursday. The rec facilities and centers are closed until at least Wednesday, weather permitting.

Also, remember, that after the hurricane goes through, all the evacuees will be trying to get back home. There will be bumper to bumper traffic on 95, 301, 75 and the turnpike along with the possibility of gas shortages, road closures etc.

[big guy]

Interesting post to me as I am in a similar boat, due to leave New England Saturday & arrive Florida Sunday evening, I am thinking I might arrive before anything gets bad which would be OK, but no idea what Florida roads southbound might be like Sunday. Seems tome if I delay departure from here, which I could it would have to be at at least a week. In your case, if you don’t stop a few days anywhere, I would think you should be in your new home by Saturday and in good shape to wait out the storm at home.

I doubt there will be much traffic going south.

[NotFromAroundHere]

If I was in the OP's situation I would get to the Villages ASAP, and stop frequently on the way to keep my gas tank filled and also bring a couple of full spare gas cans with me just in case. I would also bring some tarps, spare shingles, and some roofing nails. It is extremely frustrating to NOT be at our Villages home during a potentially damaging storm knowing there is next to nothing we can do if our home gets damaged. I fear having our shingles/roof damaged during a severe downpour and not being able to do anything to fix it.

On the other hand - why endanger yourself to save your insurance company some money?

[Martian]

Stay away if you can. It baffles me why people want to drive into a hurricane. I have gone through several and they really are no fun.

Each to their own. I was born and raised in south Florida (Ft. Lauderdale) and went through many hurricanes. And yes, they can be dangerous, but not as much (in general) as we are led to believe by the fear mongering click baiting media.

Most dangers are from poor areas and OLD areas with poor construction. Also from Neighbors that leave junk laying around to become missiles.

NONE of that is true in TV.

Growing up, as teens, we loved most hurricanes, as I tell my wife, it was only time Ft. Laud. had surf more than a foot or two, and we often had hurricane parties on the beach, and loved the 10 to 15 foot surf.

Then snow birds came down and even though they did not know how to swim, went swimming... several drowned and that resulted in the city/county/state banning swimming during hurricanes. Seriously, these people didn't know how to swim and they went into 15 foot surf.

Anyway, yes bad things can happen, but TV is a safe place and people should chill out. If there is REAL danger the hurricane center will let us know, NOT CCN, FOX or MSNBC. And if necessary evacuation will be ordered, again highly unlikely here. But it can happen.