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Pacifist Patriot

(24,647 posts)
Sat Sep 9, 2017, 05:31 PM Sep 2017

Evacuated. Returned Home. Hunkering Down.

My family left Brevard County before daybreak yesterday and headed to Gainesville with the intent to continue on to McDonough, GA today. Our drive was uneventful. We had smooth driving on primarily back roads most of the way, but even northbound I-95 and I-75 were fine when we were on them. Found gas stations with gas easily enough, if a bit of a wait for a pump.

Storm models shifted west and converged on where we were headed near Atlanta today. Decision time again!

My brother-in-law stayed behind in his house which has hurricane shutters and a generator. We live in the same neighborhood, walking distance away. We have plenty of food, water, batteries, flashlights, lanterns, etc. We're projected to have Cat 1 gusts and Con5 tornado probabilities. (50%)

Four to five days of evacuees were likely to want to return over the same one to two days when the storm has moved out of the area. The return would be nightmarish and possibly dangerous. And someone fleeing the west coast was probably more in need of our Georgia hotel room than us.

So decision made, we drove home and made great time as we were one of very few cars headed south. Passed mostly fuel, grocery store, and power trucks headed south as well. North bound traffic was a little heavy, but moving at a good clip. When we got back home, we topped off the gas tank, bought some more food and water at the grocery store, filled another gas can for BIL's generator, and will be going to his house first thing in the morning.

The waiting is the worst part. Especially when you've been through these before and you know the last minute wobbles can have huge impacts. This is going to be one of the longest ones I've experienced given it's sheer size. First for my two teenage boys since we evacuated with them when previously threatened.

I'm also in awe that my son at FSU is experiencing the exact same hurricane, 275 miles away from me as the crow flies. Tallahassee got a hurricane hit last year over Labor Day weekend. He says he's prepared, "it's okay mom, I have plenty of food and water and <friends he's staying with> have flashlights and deodorant if the power goes out."

We'll be fine. The structure we'll be in is quite sound. We know what we're doing and we've taken the proper precautions. I fear for those more directly in harms way. Not so much for the storm event, but for the aftermath. That is always so much worse.

Appreciate the well wishes. It's hoping for the best at this point.




46 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Evacuated. Returned Home. Hunkering Down. (Original Post) Pacifist Patriot Sep 2017 OP
Best luck. Thank you for telling us what' going on there for you. mahina Sep 2017 #1
Best of luck Freddie Sep 2017 #2
The weather has been cloudy and rainy off and on today, but it's not from Irma yet. Pacifist Patriot Sep 2017 #5
I am about 11 miles west of Lake Worth. Ligyron Sep 2017 #28
Good luck.. hoping for the best.. mountain grammy Sep 2017 #3
Tally will suffer because of the trees janterry Sep 2017 #4
Yep, my son's dorm was without power for almost a week last year. Pacifist Patriot Sep 2017 #6
Wishing you a safe hurricane experience. In_The_Wind Sep 2017 #7
I don't get driving into s storm and asking for wasupaloopa Sep 2017 #8
I have absolutely no idea what you are trying to say. Pacifist Patriot Sep 2017 #11
I didn't get that response to you either. cwydro Sep 2017 #19
I don't think you understand what is happening. whopis01 Sep 2017 #23
Good luck! Scurrilous Sep 2017 #9
hoping for the best for all in the path of this storm. barbtries Sep 2017 #10
Good luck TEB Sep 2017 #12
Stay safe malaise Sep 2017 #13
Stay safe and murielm99 Sep 2017 #14
I just got word from my sister that my cousin in Tampa is now heading BigmanPigman Sep 2017 #15
I'm near Ocala radical noodle Sep 2017 #20
Yeah, but her dad who told her there is standing room only BigmanPigman Sep 2017 #22
There are some delays radical noodle Sep 2017 #24
Thanks, that IS good to hear. She grew up in Ocala BigmanPigman Sep 2017 #25
Those have changed radical noodle Sep 2017 #26
Thanks, I do! Whenever she was feeling a little slow, which was seldom BigmanPigman Sep 2017 #27
Aw, what a great memory to have n/t radical noodle Sep 2017 #30
I'm in Brevard as well. Dr Hobbitstein Sep 2017 #16
As I wrote below, I heard that the Space Coast was at risk for tornados. StevieM Sep 2017 #18
I think we will be okay. Pacifist Patriot Sep 2017 #36
Indeed. Dr Hobbitstein Sep 2017 #43
Be careful. I heard that the Space Coast is at risk for tornados. (eom) StevieM Sep 2017 #17
Entire state is, but we are at 50%. Pacifist Patriot Sep 2017 #39
Just stay safe! calimary Sep 2017 #21
While it is ALL serious.......... MyOwnPeace Sep 2017 #29
I know right???? Pacifist Patriot Sep 2017 #38
WOW! MyOwnPeace Sep 2017 #40
Army brat. Guilty! Pacifist Patriot Sep 2017 #41
You have served! MyOwnPeace Sep 2017 #42
My girls ran north to Atlanta but only made it to Orlando after 8 hours. Ligyron Sep 2017 #31
This doesn't seem very Funny. Raine1967 Sep 2017 #35
oh man...stay safe..and PLEASE check in when you can!! samnsara Sep 2017 #32
Smart. PennyK Sep 2017 #33
We evacuated for Matthew too and... Pacifist Patriot Sep 2017 #37
Sitting here in Foley, AL. 15 miles north of the gulf. trof Sep 2017 #34
As one who was born and stayed in Brevard County until we moved here? raven mad Sep 2017 #44
I decided to shelter on place. AngryAmish Sep 2017 #45
Keep us posted! Blue_Roses Sep 2017 #46

Freddie

(9,232 posts)
2. Best of luck
Sat Sep 9, 2017, 05:38 PM
Sep 2017

My son lives in Lake Worth, are you anywhere near there? (I'm in PA) He evacuated to Orlando. Hope he has an apartment to come home to and his cat is ok. What is weather like now?

Pacifist Patriot

(24,647 posts)
5. The weather has been cloudy and rainy off and on today, but it's not from Irma yet.
Sat Sep 9, 2017, 05:41 PM
Sep 2017

No rain or noticeable wind at the moment.

I'm about 120 miles north of Lake Worth on the Atlantic Coast and 45 minutes east of Orlando.

My guess is he'll be fine. Fingers crossed!

Ligyron

(7,592 posts)
28. I am about 11 miles west of Lake Worth.
Sat Sep 9, 2017, 07:25 PM
Sep 2017

Unless the odd tornado they warn about pops up I think this area will be fine. Don't see how Irma could swerve enough to hit there as it's the farthest point east in FL. Losing power will probably be the worst of it.

 

janterry

(4,429 posts)
4. Tally will suffer because of the trees
Sat Sep 9, 2017, 05:40 PM
Sep 2017

The city made the decision to allow all of those canopy roads (they do look pretty), but last year Hermine had trees down all over town (on houses, cars). Great big trees - uprooted. We couldn't drive around our neighborhood because of the felled trees.

Power will be out for days (I lived there for more than a decade .

Pacifist Patriot

(24,647 posts)
11. I have absolutely no idea what you are trying to say.
Sat Sep 9, 2017, 06:00 PM
Sep 2017

Do you think I am asking for well wishes? I am not.

Do you think I drove into a storm? I did not.

I have successfully avoided being in the worst of the storm based on the best information we have at a given time.

Please explain because right now I am interpreting your reply to me to be both ignorant and insulting. Tell me I am wrong.

 

cwydro

(51,308 posts)
19. I didn't get that response to you either.
Sat Sep 9, 2017, 06:47 PM
Sep 2017

But I agree with your interpretation of it.

Lots of judgmental folks here, so don't let it bother you.

You did exactly what many of us would do. People here have no idea of what it's like to leave, only to find you're suddenly in the bullseye again.

whopis01

(3,467 posts)
23. I don't think you understand what is happening.
Sat Sep 9, 2017, 06:56 PM
Sep 2017

The storm was predicted to hit the east coast of Florida. The OP is on the east coast. So they evacuated and headed north and west.

Then the storm path prediction changed and now has it hitting the west coast of Florida and continuing into Georgia. Which is exactly where the OP was evacuating towards.

The evacuation didn't take them out of the path of the storm. And returning home didn't put them back in the path of the storm.

barbtries

(28,702 posts)
10. hoping for the best for all in the path of this storm.
Sat Sep 9, 2017, 05:59 PM
Sep 2017

here in Durham, NC, earlier this week it looked like we might take a hit but we seem to be in the clear now, just some rain. now we're prepared though! you seem to have made every sensible decision possible. all the best.

BigmanPigman

(51,432 posts)
15. I just got word from my sister that my cousin in Tampa is now heading
Sat Sep 9, 2017, 06:22 PM
Sep 2017

to Ocala. She thought that she could ride it out until it turned West and then she started to "freak out". I am glad she is finally taking our advice.

BigmanPigman

(51,432 posts)
22. Yeah, but her dad who told her there is standing room only
Sat Sep 9, 2017, 06:56 PM
Sep 2017

and to bring her own food, bedding, towels, etc. How are the roads and traffic around there?

radical noodle

(7,990 posts)
24. There are some delays
Sat Sep 9, 2017, 07:00 PM
Sep 2017

If she's on the back roads, they aren't quite as bad. There are a lot of shelters around Ocala, but yeah, food, bedding, towels are good to have.

BigmanPigman

(51,432 posts)
25. Thanks, that IS good to hear. She grew up in Ocala
Sat Sep 9, 2017, 07:09 PM
Sep 2017

so she should be familiar with the different routes. My 104 year old grandmother was the most die hard democrat if there ever was one and lived the last few years of her life in a nursing home in Ocala where she had lived for over 50 years. I am glad she doesn't have to go through this. Probably watching 45 become the fake prez would've killed her before this disaster though. I recall visiting her on her 100th birthday and how there was a two lane highway that was always slow and no one would let someone else pass them. That is my concern for my cousin today.

radical noodle

(7,990 posts)
26. Those have changed
Sat Sep 9, 2017, 07:13 PM
Sep 2017

Since The Villages have grown so much, most roads are two lanes either way now. There are really "back" roads that are just two lanes but probably nothing she would take. Good for your Grandmother, living so long and so well. You must miss her a lot.

BigmanPigman

(51,432 posts)
27. Thanks, I do! Whenever she was feeling a little slow, which was seldom
Sat Sep 9, 2017, 07:24 PM
Sep 2017

since she was a stoic, all I would have to do is mention anything related to politics and Republicans and she would immediately get a burst of energy and start ranting about them using every Italian insult imaginable. Even when she was in the nursing home the nurses could tell when she was talking about politics from way down the hallway. They loved her for it.

 

Dr Hobbitstein

(6,568 posts)
16. I'm in Brevard as well.
Sat Sep 9, 2017, 06:30 PM
Sep 2017

Was also gonna head to Atlanta to stay with family. Storm's path changed a bit yesterday when we were getting ready to leave, so we stayed.

Wasn't looking forward to a 7.5+ hour drive with a ferret in tow, however.

StevieM

(10,499 posts)
18. As I wrote below, I heard that the Space Coast was at risk for tornados.
Sat Sep 9, 2017, 06:41 PM
Sep 2017

So be careful and stay safe!!

 

Dr Hobbitstein

(6,568 posts)
43. Indeed.
Sat Sep 9, 2017, 10:05 PM
Sep 2017

'Canes usually don't stress me out, but this one...

Locked in the house with wife, kiddo, roommate, and roommate's new girlfriend. And my "get away from it room" is my recording studio, which is full of ALL the shit that's usually outside or on my back porch... Slowly going crazy.

MyOwnPeace

(16,888 posts)
29. While it is ALL serious..........
Sat Sep 9, 2017, 07:37 PM
Sep 2017

gotta' say - I loved the son's reassuring note to Mom - "We've got flashlights and deodorant!"

Make her feel really good - tell her you've got clean underwear!!

Good luck and blessings to all going through this!

MyOwnPeace

(16,888 posts)
40. WOW!
Sat Sep 9, 2017, 09:17 PM
Sep 2017

Can't tell you the last time I heard "skivvies!"
I'm thinking it was a thing from my Dad, something he'd learned when he was in the Navy!
Good one!

Ligyron

(7,592 posts)
31. My girls ran north to Atlanta but only made it to Orlando after 8 hours.
Sat Sep 9, 2017, 07:57 PM
Sep 2017

That should be a 3 hour trip tops and they even left at 1am "to avoid traffic". They really planned to fly out from West Palm originally, let's see:

1st to Tenn with 2 connections (canceled flight).

Then DC with 3 connections (canceled flight) and so were then driving to Atlanta to catch a connection anywhere other than the east coast of FL where we are and this storm was suppose to hit. I told them they were nutz cause one never knew for sure three days out where that thing could actually end up and sure enough now they are stuck in a shitty motel in Orlando with no shutters.

They wanted to leave and drive back here tomorrow but I told them forget it, that's when the storm will hit FL for real. Hell, it's just barely off Cuba now and it's blowing pretty good already almost 300 miles away. They said, OK we'll leave tonite but I said forget it, way too dangerous and there's a curfew now anyway.

Meanwhile, I'm in a cement house with metal shutters and all the animals 'cause that's what Dads do, right?

Sometimes the best laid plans...

Raine1967

(11,589 posts)
35. This doesn't seem very Funny.
Sat Sep 9, 2017, 08:55 PM
Sep 2017

I am gonna assume the "girls" you speak of are your daughters,

I hope they find themselves safe.

PennyK

(2,300 posts)
33. Smart.
Sat Sep 9, 2017, 08:11 PM
Sep 2017

I'm in Brevard, too. We ordered an air mattress, packed everything we could need for the pet-friendly shelter...and realized we'd be just fine here at home. many neighbors are staying here, too. We're at 33' above sea level and on the side of the main road away from the drainage ditches.
We also have lots of food and water, and we have the advantage of being on the same electrical grid as the fire and police departments and the hospital, so they restore here first.
We evacuated last year for Matthew, it was pretty unpleasant, and our house did just fine. My husband did announce that after this one we'll be buying storm shutters (the windows are definitely a weak point).
Best of luck to all!

Pacifist Patriot

(24,647 posts)
37. We evacuated for Matthew too and...
Sat Sep 9, 2017, 09:07 PM
Sep 2017

Had minimal damage. Hoping for the same.

We are finally in a position to refinance to include a new roof and hurricane shutters. That was already our plan for later this month. Go figure!

trof

(54,255 posts)
34. Sitting here in Foley, AL. 15 miles north of the gulf.
Sat Sep 9, 2017, 08:19 PM
Sep 2017

Have reservations at a motel in Evergreen, several miles north on I-65.
Looks like we'll be OK to stay home
Anyone needs a room I'll probably cancel in the morning.
IF Irma does finally turn north.

raven mad

(4,940 posts)
44. As one who was born and stayed in Brevard County until we moved here?
Sun Sep 10, 2017, 03:03 AM
Sep 2017

Yep, been there. Keep away from the beach if you can, and yeah, the after is never fun, but is not - hopefully - going to get bad. You've got all the good wishes and great karma streaming from here your way. Stay safe, and keep us updated.

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