Evac Hotel: Which room should I choose?

#1 Postby **SeaBrz_FL** » Thu Sep 02, 2004 4:37 am

Looking to you big storm survivors to help out with this one. Like thousands of other East Coast Floridians, I'll be riding out this storm on the northeast side of it. I'm evacuating inland to a new (hurricane code) 3 story hotel. If I'm given an option, which floor do you think is safest? All floors are steel-reinforced concrete so I thought the bottom floor might be safest, but with the flooding rains we're expecting, now I'm not so sure. Fairly positive I don't want to be on the top floor under the roof.

Also, as for room location, which direction (N/S/E/W) would likely face the least wind impact?

Thank you in advance for all advice.

#2 Postby **jlauderdal** » Thu Sep 02, 2004 5:14 am

SeaBrz_FL wrote:Looking to you big storm survivors to help out with this one. Like thousands of other East Coast Floridians, I'll be riding out this storm on the northeast side of it. I'm evacuating inland to a new (hurricane code) 3 story hotel. If I'm given an option, which floor do you think is safest? All floors are steel-reinforced concrete so I thought the bottom floor might be safest, but with the flooding rains we're expecting, now I'm not so sure. Fairly positive I don't want to be on the top floor under the roof.

Also, as for room location, which direction (N/S/E/W) would likely face the least wind impact?

Thank you in advance for all advice.

bottom floor facing west or south if you are on the north side of the eyewall.

pajaraff · #3 Postby **pajaraff** » Thu Sep 02, 2004 5:19 am

Shoot...looks like I gotta go too. The advice about the hotels would be great. How did you know that the hotel is hurricane proof? I may try to get a flight out if they are cheap enough. If not..then a hotel. Dont want to go to shelter...Home Depot is out of boards...Were screwed. Thanks everyone. You have all been a great help.

#4 Postby **SeaBrz_FL** » Thu Sep 02, 2004 5:44 am

Thanks, jlauderdal! I knew there was a "strategy", it's just been too many years since I had to worry it.

Pajaraff -- Try to find a hotel built since 2001, when the post-Andrew hurricane building codes changes went in to effect. I think Broward and Dade adopted the strictest codes in the state.

Good luck to all!

Website · #5 Postby **Brent** » Thu Sep 02, 2004 5:56 am

As long as it's concrete and is fairly new, you'll get through it. The only place the 145 mph winds will be is in the eyewall(trust me, GET AWAY FROM THAT). Try getting on a lower floor too(the higher up, the stronger the winds).

pajaraff · #6 Postby **pajaraff** » Thu Sep 02, 2004 5:57 am

Thanks for the advice. I just may head to Dade and go west a bit. I'm hoping that francis wont go that far south...Does anyone disagree with my plan?
thanks to all

Three Blind Mice · #7 Postby **Three Blind Mice** » Thu Sep 02, 2004 6:03 am

Make sure it is made out of concrete. I left my house during Fran and went to the Hilton in Downtown Wilmington. Concrete, 10 stories....eye went right over us!! Power out, no phones, they ran a extension cord with lights from a generator up one of the stairwells. All my kids got interviewed by the national media in the lobby, that was the fun part they remember, until the lobby ceiling caved in with water. Windows didn't shatter but we stayed in areas/halls, bathrooms, just in case.

Buy some Lance(great NC family those Van Every's) crackers, acouple of cases...when you can't find food they look alike a feast. Keep your car full of gas at all times...PERIOD. Get an Ice chest that holds ice for up to 5 days, they are available everywhere. Fill it with ice only. Bring your camera and get film...Insurance company may need photos of damage before clean up. Carry your work gloves with you, your going to need them.

All of us up here in Cape Fear area are praying for you folks!!! One thing about us, we are cane sensitive!! And what you are facing just plain and simple scares the mess out of us.

Please stay safe......

#8 Postby **SeaBrz_FL** » Thu Sep 02, 2004 7:01 am

Thanks so much to everyone for the feedback. This new hotel was built to our current hurricane code (130 mph) and is solid concrete with reinforced steel and interior hallways. And I'm fairly sure these hallways will become our "home" for some hours anyway. It also has free broadband Internet service so I'll also be monitoring here and other local sites as long as possible -- I consider this a major safety factor!

We have tons of food and water, ice chests ready for ice, cash and cars full of gas .... all I need to do now is leave. I've put it off long enough, but I gotta face the fact that this has really started.

#9 Postby **wx247** » Thu Sep 02, 2004 7:52 am

Stay safe SeaBrz. We will hope and pray that you and the rest of our Floridian friends choose to be safe and heed the wonderful advice provided here.

Website · #10 Postby **Brent** » Thu Sep 02, 2004 8:04 am

pajaraff wrote:Thanks for the advice. I just may head to Dade and go west a bit. I'm hoping that francis wont go that far south...Does anyone disagree with my plan?
thanks to all

That's probably OK. Certainly better than Pompano Beach. I think you'll be in the SW side of the circulation which will be considerably weaker.

jude · #11 Postby **jude** » Thu Sep 02, 2004 8:22 am

Spirit airlines has cheap flights if you can get them:
http://www.spiritair.com/

Be safe.
Jude in Jersey

Evac Hotel: Which room should I choose?

Evac Hotel: Which room should I choose?

Re: Evac Hotel: Which room should I choose?

Me too

Thanks

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