A suggestion for those who are going to flee the storm w/o a place to flee.

[denbot]

Once out of the path of the storm consider a major chain truck stop. Loves, T/A-Petro, Flying J/Pilot. These places have food, both prepared and basic groceries, fuel, backup power, air conditioning, bathrooms and paid showers, even (mostly for a price) access to the internet.

Park in the front auto parking, and yes it sucks to sleep in you cars, but they are well supplied, well lit safe havens, with their own well developed supply chains.

This is the app I use to find any and all truck stops, rest stops, etc:

https://truckerpath.com/trucker-path-app/

Good luck, be safe.

[demmiblue]

1. That is great advice. K&R

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. This is a very good idea! K&R n/t

[Nay]

3. A few more things:

Walmarts welcome campers in their parking lots, so try them even if you are in a car. It's safer than an unlit, unknown area and you'll have food, water and bathrooms available.

When you arrive at an area of relative safety, stop at any small motel you see until you find a room. Don't rely on booking a motel over the internet or phone -- many times they'll say they are full, but when you show up in person, you can often get a room.

Don't forget that many state parks have cabins for rent -- you may snag one of those because most ppl won't think of it.

[left-of-center2012]

7. Many Walmarts are now closing at night @ 10 or 11

That would limit bathroom usage.

[Nay]

16. This is true -- some are 24 hrs, some aren't.

[BadgerMom]

4. K and R

[ancianita]

5. Great idea. Thanks for this. I'm passing it on.

[TBA]

6. I rode out Erin in a truck stop

They gave out free coffee and had flashlights to get to the bathrooms.

Excellent advice.

[cilla4progress]

8. I'm going to

share this on FB.

Thanks.

[democrank]

9. Good, solid advice.

Thanks, denbot.

[LittleGirl]

10. Thank you!

I have friends in Miami that are planning to flee.

[GulfCoast66]

11. Starting tomorrow call the tourist hotels in C. Florida

Tourist will be canceling by the thousands opening up as many hotel rooms. During the storms of 04 even Disney became a destination for thousands of coastal evacuees. Not to mention the 10,000s of other hotel rooms in the area.

[Wiseman32218]

12. Thanks for the Info

You have provided a great resource!

[George II]

13. I slept in a my car in a Florida truck stop through a torrential and violent 12-hour thunderstorm...

....many years ago (late 1970s). Sure beat trying to drive through the storm. I never thought, though, of flooding. Thankfully that never happened.

I actually was woken up on and off all night, and kept a detailed "diary" of the storm, time, etc.

[raven mad]

14. I hate for anyone to have to do this.

But if anyone makes it this far, I have a place to stay with heat and running water (it's a little cooler here) and kitties to pet, extra air mattresses, excellent cozy sleeping bags, plenty of floor space (IF I move the cats), a couch and reclining love seat, 2 recliners, full kitchen and a damn good cook - me.

That goes for those having to run from the fires as well. Just DU mail me.

I will never forget the kindness of others when I fled hurricanes, and fires. Oh, on edit, let me add my hell yeah to Cher's tweet. We WILL help, even if it's only tent space.

[nitpicker]

15. Watch out fir the creek!

IF you see one very near a truck stop/state park/wayside/etc,, DON'T park there- find somewhere safer/higher.