Did you ever have to evacuate Miami?

[grandcentraluk]

Originally Posted by womanpower

I'm from up North, so I have no idea what this process would be like. If you have a story about your experience, please do tell.

Did they ever have to evacuate b/c of a hurricane? What was it like? Lots of traffic? Did your homes get looted? Do you need to leave with all your valuables in your car? Do you need to stock up on food & water in your car?

I've evacuated 5 times I think. First for Andrew, then for one a few years later, maybe in 1995 (that ended up being nothing but we were all skittish from Andrew) then for one in 1998 (or was it 1999?), then for one in 2004 - Jeanne, maybe? Stayed for Katrina and was out of town for Wilma but probably would have evacuated for Wilma too. We lived in a low lying area near the coast, in the first evacuation zone after the barrier islands. We always evacuate when told (i.e. Andrew) and in situations where flooding is likely because my old development would flood to the point that it would take 2 days before the water receded enough to let us drive out.

Let's see...never experienced traffic problems. I believe they will alter traffic lanes on the turnpike and other roads to accommodate the flow of traffic from evacuees (i.e. make southbound lanes northbound lanes). We've evacuated to Central Dade, Hialeah and Broward and never sat in traffic. Andrew probably had the worst traffic for most folks but we only went to Central Dade and took the surface streets so it was easy. My home did not get looted, not even during Andrew although a national guardsman working my street told me that looters did come by and a neighbor shot at them to scare them off. There were shell casings all over my street the next day.

Here's how we handle evacuations. First, we prep the house. If we think the storm is going to be really bad, we wrap up our electronics and keepsake items (photo albums, etc.) in plastic bags and store what we can high up on shelves. We also unplug items from the wall and wrap the cords in plastic. Before we leave the house we turn off all the lights, lock all the doors and the garage door, and shutter up the house. We pack and bring with us food, water, important paperwork (proof of insurance, insurance account numbers and phone numbers to reach the insurance companies after the storm), fire safe, clothes, bedding, toiletries and anything else we may need for a few days. The amount we bring depends on where we are staying (family, hotel, etc.) No matter how bad the storm, you'll get back to your house soon thereafter. We were able to reach our home 2 days after Andrew, not that there was anything left to it, really, so you don't need enough toiletries for months, for example.

I agree with flyer29 that things have gone more smoothly ever since Andrew although I think some folks have gotten complacent or are new to South Florida and don't understand the situation. But for those of us who went through the worst with Andrew, we tend to have this process down pat. I don't really worry about evacuations anymore and while I hope to God to never lose another house, I know that if I do, I'll come back from it, just like I did last time.

[Flshellgurl]

Went through Ike, cat 4 in Houston. Rather never ride one out again. We were lucky. Many neighbors not. 4 homes completely gone. More roofs gone than I could count. One house lost second story. A school that was shelter was majorly damaged. Would like to evacuate for Matthew, but my husbands job will not let him off. I think its criminal! Over 100 people died with Ike!

[filmismyhustle]

My family and I evacuated for hurricane Andrew. My dad didn't think hurricane Andrew was going to be bad. Good thing my mom persuaded him to evacuate with us because our house was gone the next day.

[Sugah Ray]

I didn't evacuate during Andrew but I should have. We were young and ignorant.

If Mathew was heading this way I would have left. No way I'm staying for a 4 or 5 category storm.

[karstic]

The hurricane just grinded Baracoa, a beatiful city..not far from Bahamas and Miami.

[tallrick]

I never evacuate any home I lived in because I built it myself to weather any storm! In this new place I doubt I will ever have the excitement I had in 1992 for Andrew, but just the thought of a Cat 3+ storm gets me very excited!! The best thing about hurricanes is how they cool the oceans which can allow cold fronts to pass through south Florida, improving our weather dramatically. The positives of hurricanes far outweigh the negatives. Best of all there is not much worth saving left in the south Florida area. A storm just means more economic activity, and maybe stronger structures that make people safer.