Unexpected Consequences of Evacuation
 

Imagine what the roadways will be like when all those who left in a staggered fashion over five or so days all try to return at the same time.

About the same as every January 2nd:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

Hope they haven't just delayed their encounter. The effects of Irma go pretty far up and it is not even here yet.

A friend of mine drove to Tennessee, mostly at a snail's pace, as you can imagine.
When she comes back, she's flying and having her car sent back on an auto transport.

Problem solved!

Nephew returning from Biloxi, MS.....covered 250 miles in ten hours.

We left Washington D.C. this morning at 8:30 A.M. and arrived in Florence S.C. at 5:15 P.M. to spend the night. That over 400 miles in about 7 hours of driving. There are still many rescue and power utility trucks headed south on 95. A few slow downs on 95 were encountered the further south we drove. We will try to fill our car tank before getting too close to Florida yet have enough to reach the Villages without trying to find gas in Florida.

Always happy to hit the Georgia line on 95. The transition from two lanes to 4-6 is welcome.

Visiting in 2018, what do I have to look forward to so far as damage from Irma?

Most of the damage is in the older "historic district" The damage in the rest of The Villages is just roof shingles and loss of power. There were some trees down but not substantial. I would say by the time you get here it won't even look like anything happened. The Villages is a really awesome place and we were very lucky.

I returned yesterday from Atlanta. I left ATL at 11:30 am and rolled into Spanish Springs promptly at 1:20 am this morning. That's 13 hours and 50 minutes for a normal 6 or so hour drive. Surprisingly most motorists were resigned to our plight and I only heard honking horns on a few occasions. Gas in Georgia was widely available though not plentiful. Florida not so much near I-75. Glad to be home.