Have You Ever Evacuated? (Tampa, Key West: rental, mobile home, wedding)

[The Villages Guy]

Have you ever evacuated due to a hurricane?

Where did you go?

What strength hurricane would you stay put versus evacuating?

[jsun556]

I have not in the over 2 decades of living here.

[Tamatem]

I was part of the Rita evacuation on Key West. I was there for my wedding! While on the highway I had my officiant and photographer (who were also evacuating) on the phone and we decided to meetup in Ft Lauderdale and get this thing done.

In Tampa - I have been prepared to do so, but haven't felt the need. I have, however, had friends in Tampa "evacuate" their house and stay with me as a precaution (they had a mobile home). It was a good thing too - they arrived home to 4ft of water up to their doorstep. That was during Frances.

[Pragmaticus]

No and won't until August 11, 2042 .

[gulfporter]

Evacuated once in New Orleans due to hurricane (can't even remember name of it, back in 1980's). Evacuation wasn't mandatory but our airline was very insistent we get out while they were still flying, so we cut our vacation one day short.

We were advised to evacuate during a tsunami warning in Kauai, Hawaii. We were vacationing and heard about the warning during dinner. This was long before the tsunamis in Thailand and Japan made big news. We were: "what's a tsunami?" Went back to rental house after dinner; husband went to bed and I stayed up all night watching weather reports. Obviously we survived.

Not sure what we'll do here in case of hurricane; guessing hubby will go to bed and I'll stay up watching Klystron 9

[MAniacTHW]

Been here my whole life. Never once evacuated for a hurricane.

[mortpes]

Evacuation. Civil service in your area makes the call. Your business may remain open and you may have to work beyond the evacuation call if civil service determines your business is needed or your employer makes such a request. Most bridges have a wind limit. For example the Skyway may be 45mph. Above that and it will be shut down. Also the interstate and road 60 across Tampa Bay also have a limit. Beware that as your area's risk level increases bridges and roads may be shut down. The places to stay along the interstate quickly fill up. If you do not plan well ahead you may very well spend the time along the road. Review a map and follow the inlets and rivers and drainage ditches, etc. All of these will flood the surrounding communities as water is blown inland. The most practical answer for most people is to leave early.

[dothetwist]

Originally Posted by mortpes

Evacuation. Civil service in your area makes the call. Your business may remain open and you may have to work beyond the evacuation call if civil service determines your business is needed or your employer makes such a request. Most bridges have a wind limit. For example the Skyway may be 45mph. Above that and it will be shut down. Also the interstate and road 60 across Tampa Bay also have a limit. Beware that as your area's risk level increases bridges and roads may be shut down. The places to stay along the interstate quickly fill up. If you do not plan well ahead you may very well spend the time along the road. Review a map and follow the inlets and rivers and drainage ditches, etc. All of these will flood the surrounding communities as water is blown inland. The most practical answer for most people is to leave early.

Civil Service?? You mean some GS-9 in DC is gonna make the call???

[gulfporter]

For Pinellas, this is a great website Office of Emergency Management. You can even register for a reverse 9-11 call. Lots of tips at site that would benefit everyone, not just Pinellas County residents.
Pinellas County, Florida - Emergency Management - Home Page

[LKJ1988]

Never have. They made everyone leave Danashores back in the Sept 85 cane that sat in the gulf for 2 days. I stayed with the ship and took pics. I was loving them 2 days.