Hard Lessons.. Straight from North Florida

[StevenRN]

In September 1999, I lived (and still do) in Jacksonville, Fl. All of North Florida was evacuated 1 day prior to the projected hurricane landfall ( which, thank God, never happened). Thousands of people were stranded in their cars. There was no place for them to go. My wife and I realized 2 days prior, that evacuating millions from the Florida coast would totally clog the highway system. So; we left with our children 2 days prior to the evacuation order. We were safe and sound while so many of our friends were left stranded on the highways. Governor Bush and the state of Florida learned a hard lesson from that experience. IF A HURRICANE's COMING... LEAVE AND LEAVE QUICKLY! If it doesn't hit, then great! If it does, you may have saved you family. SO PEOPLE PLEASE.. DON'T WAIT UNTIL 1-2 DAYS BEFORE! If your employer fires you, so be it.

If it's a Category 1, I'll ride it out. Category 2; I'll move inland a little ways... category 3 or higher .... BYE!

[twoanddone]

I live in Jax, FL too and remember that hurricane. I had my first job and on my first day. THey actually sent us home from work early. My mom had my bags packed in the car ready to go. It took us three hours to go probably 20 miles until they opened both sides of the road and we left the day before!!!

I have two toddlers now so hurricane 1 I might RIDE out-was sent to the hospital last year because I was high risk so my dad flew out with older daughter to stay with friends in CA. Last year hurricane didn't hit us directly but TOO close for comfort!!!