Harriet Vane Posted August 28, 2023 Share Posted August 28, 2023 (edited) Final update in the thread below. Long story short I’m home. Thanks from the bottom of my heart for your help. I’m at the airport now hoping to get on a 1:30 flight. One more question—How much time do I allow for going to the airport? I’m concerned about people leaving town ahead of the hurricane. Normally I would leave St Augustine at 10:30, get to the airport at 11:30 with two hours to return the rental car before my 1:30 flight. How much extra time do I allow for traffic tomorrow? Thanks for your local hurricane know-how. ETA—We changed my ticket—I will try to leave tomorrow. Thanks for the input. Floridians—I’m in St. Augustine, due to fly back on Wednesday. Should I try to go home tomorrow or wait until the hurricane passes? Edited August 30, 2023 by Harriet Vane 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
athena1277 Posted August 28, 2023 Share Posted August 28, 2023 I’m not from FL, but grew up on the gulf coast. From what the National Hurricane Center is forecasting, you will probably not be able to fly on Wednesday. You can see if there’s a flight tomorrow. If there’s not, keep the number for your airline handy and be ready for the call that your flight is cancelled. Call the airline ASAP and reschedule. Then you won’t have fees for changing the flight. I did that when a hurricane was impacting a flight several years ago. I called so fast the service agent couldn’t even see the cancellation on her computer yet. Be aware that if you don’t leave today, you may have to wait until Friday, depending on what happens and how long it takes the airlines to get planes back in that area. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katy Posted August 28, 2023 Share Posted August 28, 2023 When I was a kid there was a hurricane Elena (about 500 miles wide) that had a similar track basically came in and circled Cedar Key for two days then turned around and went back to hit Mississippi. That was almost 40 years ago, and it’s rare. But the point is, no one really knows what a hurricane will do. If you need to get home quickly try and go now. This one is supposed to be moving fast so it might not weaken much. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brittany1116 Posted August 28, 2023 Share Posted August 28, 2023 You're unlikely to be able to get out before the weekend. I say that I wouldn't try to leave in a rush, but then again, if I was in another state and knew a big thing was about to happen in my general vicinity, I'd be antsy to leave. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted August 29, 2023 Share Posted August 29, 2023 (edited) That sounds like a good plan to get out early! Hope you make it. I saw the tracks and haven't kept up when everything is landing. Hotels down there are usually cement construction, very safe. You just don't need the hassle of being there with power out, etc. if you can avoid it. Let us know you've made it back! 🙂 Edited August 29, 2023 by PeterPan 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harriet Vane Posted August 29, 2023 Author Share Posted August 29, 2023 @ktgrok @Lady Florida. @Brittany1116 Just tagging some Floridians—can you comment on timing to get to the airport? I’m just not sure how it all works down here. Thanks so much for any input. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CinV Posted August 29, 2023 Share Posted August 29, 2023 If you are going to Jacksonville, I would leave by 10 because the airport is going to be super busy tomorrow and there is only one security line. Traffic is probably going to be worse than usual, too. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Florida. Posted August 29, 2023 Share Posted August 29, 2023 Which airport? I'm only familiar with Orlando. Get there 2 hours before your flight. You most likely won't need that much time but I'm a worrier when it comes to catching flights. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harriet Vane Posted August 29, 2023 Author Share Posted August 29, 2023 4 minutes ago, Lady Florida. said: Which airport? I'm only familiar with Orlando. Get there 2 hours before your flight. You most likely won't need that much time but I'm a worrier when it comes to catching flights. Going out through Jacksonville. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KidsHappen Posted August 29, 2023 Share Posted August 29, 2023 Half my kids are vacationing in Destin right now. I just got pictures today and it was sunny and beautiful. Does anyone know if they will be getting weather as well? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravelingChris Posted August 29, 2023 Share Posted August 29, 2023 Curren;tly it doesn't look like is will be in Destin. They are evacuating Tampa- St. Petersburg area which is quite far away. They are calling it the Big Bend Hurricane and Destin is on the Panhandle. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katy Posted August 29, 2023 Share Posted August 29, 2023 I would go early, it’s not a huge airport and everything might take more than twice as much time as normal 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katy Posted August 29, 2023 Share Posted August 29, 2023 I just saw that one model is forecasting it will increase to a cat 4 before landfall. Which might make Floridians more careful than they currently are. I’d go early and ask if you can go standby on an even earlier flight. If local stations start discussing the same thing the airport will probably get busy sooner. Sorry your trip was cut short. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephanier.1765 Posted August 29, 2023 Share Posted August 29, 2023 9 hours ago, CinV said: If you are going to Jacksonville, I would leave by 10 because the airport is going to be super busy tomorrow and there is only one security line. Traffic is probably going to be worse than usual, too. I'm in Jacksonville and the roads were worse than usual already yesterday. There are some who are going to evacuate but most people aren't. Right now they are out shopping for hurricane supplies. The one security line does move into separate security checks so hopefully they will have all of those open to help keep things moving. I've never flown out before a hurricane so I can't tell you any more than that, unfortunately. But I do agree, 10 is a good idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harriet Vane Posted August 29, 2023 Author Share Posted August 29, 2023 I’m at the airport right now hoping to get on the 1:30 flight. 15 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommyoffive Posted August 29, 2023 Share Posted August 29, 2023 19 minutes ago, Harriet Vane said: I’m at the airport right now hoping to get on the 1:30 flight. Fingers crossed you get on the flight! 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spryte Posted August 29, 2023 Share Posted August 29, 2023 46 minutes ago, Harriet Vane said: I’m at the airport right now hoping to get on the 1:30 flight. I hope you get on the flight! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kassia Posted August 29, 2023 Share Posted August 29, 2023 Hope you are in the air right now! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katy Posted August 29, 2023 Share Posted August 29, 2023 It’s unofficially a Cat 2 already. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Tiggywinkle Again Posted August 29, 2023 Share Posted August 29, 2023 My sister is just north of Tampa and sent me this earlier. I am getting FEMA deployment texts so I know they’re mobilizing as far north us as in New York for possible deployment. I actually considered volunteering but I am flying to Florida with my oldest two kids for DD’s 11th birthday present in two weeks anyway and my kids wouldn’t forgive me if I couldn’t do it. 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brittany1116 Posted August 29, 2023 Share Posted August 29, 2023 I'm N FL kinda centered in the peninsula. Weather is beautiful, no wind, barely a cloud. But several counties here are issuing mandatory evac orders for manufactured homes. My sister closer to the gulf has packed up and headed to GA. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WildflowerMom Posted August 29, 2023 Share Posted August 29, 2023 I'm in South Georgia, and even we are under a hurricane warning. Usually it's a watch or tropical storm warning, so I'm not sure what to expect. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katy Posted August 29, 2023 Share Posted August 29, 2023 Taylor county is evacuating shelters and sending everyone to shelters in Tallahassee. And it’s unofficially a Cat 3. In an hour or so NHC will change it. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katy Posted August 29, 2023 Share Posted August 29, 2023 @Harriet Vane did you get out ok? 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harriet Vane Posted August 30, 2023 Author Share Posted August 30, 2023 5 hours ago, Katy said: @Harriet Vane did you get out ok? Yes. Sorry I didn’t update sooner. It was a dreary time through airports and a layover and a big rush to edit a niece’s resume and some job stuff for dh when got home. Traffic was fine getting to the airport and though the hours were long I am so glad to be home. The friends I visit in St Augustine are elderly and one of them has dementia. Trying to get a straight answer about some of these logistics was kinda tough, so I appreciate everyone’s input in this thread. I’m a little worried about them but they’ve weathered other hurricanes and they have a daughter who is not far. 17 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kassia Posted August 30, 2023 Share Posted August 30, 2023 So glad you are safely home. Scary storm. Hope your friends do well through it. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasProud Posted August 30, 2023 Share Posted August 30, 2023 Glad you made it home! They are saying it will be a cat 4 when it makes landfall... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spryte Posted August 30, 2023 Share Posted August 30, 2023 @Harriet Vane So happy you are home! Thinking of our FL hive friends today. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommyoffive Posted August 30, 2023 Share Posted August 30, 2023 Glad you got out of there. Hoping your friends have no issues through the storm. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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