re: How has Tropical Storm Idalia affected your travel plans?

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It will be a shitshow beginning today especially after the last hurricane taking almost the same path. Orlando was hit pretty hard with flooding.

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I'm sorry but this isn't accurate at all. Not the same track at all. Ian went in at Fort Myers and came right up the middle of the state leaving the state around the Space Coast/Cocoa Beach area. Idalia is still forecasted to hit Cedar Key well which is well north and west of Orlando.

Ian was over Florida for a good two days as it was moving incredibly slowly. That's why Orlando got around 30 - 40 inches of rain. Idalia's forecast has it moving much faster and will be over Florida a day at most. Meteorologists have already said Idalia is more of a wind threat than a flood threat.

Ian was the worst case scenario for Orlando as it went right over and was incredibly slow. Most places did not flood and the places that did flood were areas by some of the bigger lakes. There were flooded areas yes but Orlando wasn't like New Orleans after Katrina.

I know this as I live in Orlando. I was driving around a day after Ian. I saw 2 interstate exits closed due to high water and there was definitely some flooding near Downtown Orlando, East Orlando by UCF, Kissimmee and Buenaventura Lakes. All of those are some the lowest lying areas in the area and almost all by decently big lakes. I will say I went to the airport 3 days after Ian and had never seen the lakes around the airport that full. Definitely close to overflowing.

But again Orlando really doesn't have the storm surge or flooding threat that the coastal areas of the state have. Outside of Idalia making a sharp turn and going right over Orlando there's really no threat to the LSU-FSU game.

Tampa is definitely a lot more concerning and is where you are seeing more of the gas lines. I haven't seen any real gas lines in Orlando yet and doubt we will. People in the state typically evacuate to Orlando from the coast.

If you're flying in today, Thursday or later into Orlando you should still be fine. If you're flying into Orlando Tuesday or Wednesday you might still make it but there will probably be delays. I would probably see if you can change your flight to Thursday.

If you're flying into Tampa today through Thursday this week I would see if there's a way to change your flight to Orlando. TPA (Tampa) is far more likely to have major flight impacts, delays and cancellations than MCO (Orlando). If you're flying into Tampa Friday or later you should still be fine unless there is flooding.

If you're driving over today through Wednesday I'd probably delay until Thursday or Friday or see if there are any last minute flights available for a decent price. Mostly because driving over through the Panhandle on I-10 and then on I-75 through Lake City and Gainesville you'll be going over where the Hurricane is directly going over and most likely to have the maximum impact. Trees could be down that could partially or fully block the interstate. I know during Michael that was the problem on I-10. Large areas were closed due to all the trees that had fallen on the interstate around a 50 mile stretch.

If you're going to drive over for the game I would honestly almost either leave now so you get to Orlando before the storm really hits or wait until Thursday or Friday. I would definitely not be on I-10 or I-75 Tuesday or Wednesday.