SC/I95 Issues

[mav2005]

I'm thinking of heading out Thursday around lunch and driving down to Florida via I95. Considering the SC counties are already upping their emergency level, any thoughts on this drive down? How will the weather be around I95 should this storm hit the middle of the SC coast line? Does I95 flood that bad down in SC? I guess I'll be competing with evacuees for gas and such?

Thanks

[M_0331]

I-95 is part of Charleston area Evac plan. I-26 is main artery to
move 40,000 people to I-95 north and south & I-26 to Columbia.
With storm coming from South much of the people will go to Columbia
or south on I-95. One or two lanes out of three of south bound lanes
are used by State Troopers/National Guard for I-26 Evac's at
I-95 intersection. Typically a Cat 1 triggers the evacuation from
coastal area(typically all within 5 miles of coast). Stay close to
speed limits in N.C. & S.C; The state troopers go by the book. If
storm stays on present course, you will get possible 30 to 40 mph
winds at the above intersection. The evac's could be optional but
don't count on it. If I am wrong, one of the local S2K member's
will correct my info. There will be a lot of traffic South bound.

Eddie S/F

[SCshorty]

I don't think there will be alot of evacuations going on from this area unless something really changes. I don't know of that many people who would leave this area for a Cat 1. Only those right on the beaches and in mobile homes might evacuate unless it gets to looking like it will be alot stronger. I would think you very well may know how strong it will be before you will be heading out on Thursday.

[CrazyC83]

I would recommend NOT going south if evacuating unless you can handle tropical storm or hurricane conditions (and that is not safe for most), since you're heading towards Ernesto.

If you really have to go to Florida (family reasons), I would recommend I-26 --> I-20 --> US 129 --> I-75 to get farther inland and more likely out of its track. Of course things can change in a heartbeat!