Question on when to leave

[Ixolib]

Since Ivan is forecast to be "only" in the central gulf at 1pm on Wednesday...
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ftp/graphics/AT09/refresh/AL0904W+GIF/142053W.gif
...would it be reasonable to think most of the evacuees are leaving today, thereby making the roads more bearable for us to depart early Wednesday morning? I'm hearing gridlock on I-10 west and 49 north at this time, and I'd rather not leave if the storm is going to weaken or stick with it forcasted landfall. Have hotel reservations 4 hours NW of here in Brookhaven.

[soonertwister]

I personally would not wait. You could have last minute car problems unexpectedly that slow your evacuation, or get caught in an even worse last-minute panic evac.

Not to mention that the conditions will be steadily deteriorating all day tomorrow, and that by midnight Biloxi could be experiencing near hurricane force winds with hurricane gusts and driving rains, very dangerous driving conditions should you get caught in them.

Please remember when you evacuate not to use your auto air conditioner if you get stuck in traffic. The last thing you want to deal with right now is a busted radiator hose, and next to no chance to get it fixed in time to avoid getting caught where you don't want to be.

[charleston_hugo_veteran]

Since Ivan is forecast to be "only" in the central gulf at 1pm on Wednesday...
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ftp/graphics/AT09/refresh/AL0904W+GIF/142053W.gif
...would it be reasonable to think most of the evacuees are leaving today, thereby making the roads more bearable for us to depart early Wednesday morning? I'm hearing gridlock on I-10 west and 49 north at this time, and I'd rather not leave if the storm is going to weaken or stick with it forcasted landfall. Have hotel reservations 4 hours NW of here in Brookhaven.

Should have been gone!!

[Mattie]

I'm listening to WTIX out of New Orleans - all hotels to Baton Rouge are full, all are full toward the west and they are suggesting that people come as far as Dallas. . . There are hotels available in New Orleans though (so they say)

Better quickly make a decision or you might be sleeping in the car in Nachitoches!!!

[MiaMom]

I agree wholeheartedly with Soonertwister. Leave now if you at all can. It may take you four times as long to get there.

If Andrew hadn't been a compact storm, we believe a lot of people could have been caught out in the open road. The roads were that jammed up.

Harsh, but based in experience.

Good luck.

[Chilly_Water]

Ixolib- I'm with you and would love to hear an answer. I was one of the unfortunates in the Gov. Hodges Memorial parking lot on I-26 when Floyd was heading our way. It took 16 hours to get from Charleston to Atlanta(usually takes about 5 hours). I decided that I would wait until the last possible minute the next time I HAD to evacuate (even though I, along with most other Charlestonians, probably won't because of the Floyd fiasco even though our new Gov. SWEARS that he'll reverse lanes which will probably get him reelected.) I would love to hear someone eles's perspective. And CHV, you stayed for Floyd didn't you? I should've.

[Brent]

I would have left this morning.

[wabbitoid]

Just go north, eventually there is room.

Anyone who wants to make it to Saint Paul is welcome to stay with me. I am serious.

Please, people, leave. Evacuating 1.2M people takes a long time and you don't want to be in traffic when a Cat4 hits.

[Ixolib]

All good points, and very much appreciated. Thankfully, we've got confirmed reservations (just called 'em to be sure!) in Brookhaven. Looks now like we're going to hit the road at 5am on Wednesday to ensure the 2X driving time won't become an issue.

[MiaMom]

FOUR TIMES driving, not two. Leave TODAY!

[Ixolib]

FOUR TIMES driving, not two. Leave TODAY!

Dayam!! Let me go see the wife.........

[yoda]

LEAVE NOW!! Don't care about the traffic... you need as much time as you can get!

[HurricaneQueen]

I'm with the majority. Get out as soon as you can. Maybe get a few hours sleep and leave around midnight. Make sure you have a full tank of gas and an extra full gas can if possible. What ever you decide, the best of luck to you.

Lynn

[GalvestonDuck]

Yup, as above said -- one word: GO!

Get as far as possible and, when possible, never let your tank get below the 1/4 mark (preferably 1/2, but not always easy in evacs).

[WaryEye]

Please, Please Please.... everyone along the GOM coast.. leave now! Don't take any chances. I think it is unfortunate that they havent been able to be more precise about landfall but there are just to many variables here. You will be very glad that you left whether you get hit or not when you start seeing the coverage from this monster. He is so big that you are bound to get nasty weather regardless. It just depends on what intensity you receive.

[MiaMom]

Please, Please Please.... everyone along the GOM coast.. leave now! Don't take any chances. I think it is unfortunate that they havent been able to be more precise about landfall but there are just to many variables here. You will be very glad that you left whether you get hit or not when you start seeing the coverage from this monster. He is so big that you are bound to get nasty weather regardless. It just depends on what intensity you receive.

How about 120 to 150 mile an hour winds that go on for hours with embedded tornadoes?

[MBryant]

Traffic experience. I once left work in the Summit area of Houston to get a jump on Thanksgiving traffic (not even Evacuation) at two PM and rolled into Humble at 2AM. That was less than 100 miles in twelve hours. Leave early and roll down the windows.