I hope everyone is keeping an eye on Irma. I-95 and I-75 out of Florida are already packed. Unless you already have enough fuel to get out of Florida, you may have a problem filling up along the way. We have moved every important item up as high as possible in our stick house. The motor home is buttoned up in our driveway and insured. We are in evacuation zone C and IF the storm is coming to the West of us, we will move to a higher storm shelter because of the possible storm surge. If it goes East of us we will ride it out. This is not our first rodeo and as a commercial contractor, that over built this house, it is designed to handle cat 5 winds. In any case, if you are in an RV in Florida, it would be better to head out now since it may take you two days just to get out of the state. You probably should also plan on boondocking along the way because finding an RV park may be difficult. Best of luck to all and best wishes to our friends already affected from Hurricane Harvey.I should add that ALL tolls are suspended on all toll roads in the State of Florida to speed evacuation.

Reservations made and leaving in the a.m. will try I-75, if too jammed up, will go back roads. Was going Friday, but changed it to tomorrow. Fifth-wheel and solo, take my cocker spaniel and "home" and go. Gas tank full and I should be ok. Several from the park are either leaving or on "ready." About 25 miles NE of Tampa. Stay safe.

Back roads to use may be US19 and US41 to head North.

rgatijnet1,If you are planning on riding this one out, when it's all over, please post on here again how it went? How did your house do? But more important, your house might have survived, but what about everything around you? Power, electricity, water, sewage, destruction? How did all that impact your stay. Please let us know! Thanks!

DutchmenSport wrote:rgatijnet1,If you are planning on riding this one out, when it's all over, please post on here again how it went? How did your house do? But more important, your house might have survived, but what about everything around you? Power, electricity, water, sewage, destruction? How did all that impact your stay. Please let us know! Thanks!In the 70+ years I have lived here, I have been through quite a few hurricanes. I live in a high area, away from the coast, in a concrete/steel reinforced house. I have an emergency natural gas generator and we always stock plenty of water. Those of us that are familiar with hurricanes always stock up with supplies before each storm season and then, after the season is over, we use those supplies. As I mentioned, if the storm is to the west of us, we have to worry about a storm surge(flooding) and we will leave. Right now it looks like the storm will be to the east of us so all we will get is the winds, and the water will be pushed away from the coast. I will be sure to post after the storm has passed and the most recent predictions of the storm path is that it may just run right up I95, which puts it 100+ miles to the east of us. In any case, we will watch it closely, like we always do, and change our plans if the storm shifts farther west. :B

Well I am where I want to be during Hurricane season (Michigan) Though I do admit Tornados can be kind of nasty too .. Thankfully much, much, much smaller.

Is everyone ready for what may be the next Hurricane to hit?

38 Replies

mike_brez
Explorer
Sep 10, 2017
Still have beer. Missing a O
TragedyTrousers
Explorer
Sep 09, 2017
Never thought about zip ties on awning. Good idea thanks
wolfe10
Explorer
Sep 09, 2017
If possible, park with the back of the coach toward the highest wind direction. That lessens both "sail area" and area exposed to damage from blowing debris.

Slides IN.

Awnings zip tied in or otherwise secure.

Highest wind direction/timing (example for Fort Myers, FL): https://www.wunderground.com/forecast/us/fl/fort-myers/33901
rgatijnet1
Explorer III
Sep 09, 2017
I think the max winds depends on what angle it is coming from. Front or rear winds should be no problem. Side winds will be a problem. Our coach is sitting in the driveway with the front axle supported by heavy duty jack stands. This is to keep it level so that we can use the refrigerator when we lose power in our stick house. I have heard that it is not a good idea to lower the jacks and that it is best if the coach is left to rock on the springs. With my front axle supported, it can still rock on the suspension so we will see how that works out. If it doesn't work out, it is well insured. Unfortunately with a hurricane, sooner or later you will have winds from each direction so all bets are off as to how much wind an RV can take.
TragedyTrousers
Explorer
Sep 09, 2017
What are max wind a class A MH can take? In Gainesville area. Our home is in se fl. Seems like there is no where to run from this hurricane.
mike_brez
Explorer
Sep 09, 2017
Daytona Beach yesterday. Trucks bringing sand to beach

Shelves gettin empty

Line for water ration

Bring it
rgatijnet1
Explorer III
Sep 09, 2017
From past experiences, we have always learned to watch the wildlife. As of yesterday, the song birds were gone and as of this morning, the water birds, around the lake in our back yard, are gone. Even the squirrels are not active even tho we have an oak tree loaded with acorns.
I cut the grass this morning and we are waiting for our SIL to come up with her two dogs to stay with us for a few days.
They are continuing to keep an eye on things.
Mr_Mark1
Explorer
Sep 08, 2017
Sis and BIL made it to TN today. If their place in FL is ruined or no electricity, they can stay with me until things are back to normal, we have a little extra space.

MM.
rgatijnet1
Explorer III
Sep 08, 2017
Mr.Mark wrote:
Baby sister (age 50) and her husband left at 4:15 AM eastern time this morning from Boca Raton..... sloooooow going she says on the Turn Pike, after an hour they jumped on highway 98 heading northwest and will eventually make it to TN.

Safe travels,
MM.

You sister may want to keep going altho by the time Irma gets to TN it may not be much more than a lot of rain and some winds.
roam1
Explorer
Sep 08, 2017
Mr.Mark wrote:
Baby sister (age 50) and her husband left at 4:15 AM eastern time this morning from Boca Raton..... sloooooow going she says on the Turn Pike, after an hour they jumped on highway 98 heading northwest and will eventually make it to TN.

Safe travels,
MM.

as of yesterday, I think 98-19-10 west was fastest way out of harms way

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Is everyone ready for what may be the next Hurricane to hit?

38 Replies

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