re: Helene - Recovery Begins...Devastating Flash Flooding in Western NC and Eastern TN

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Its open NE and SW

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Huh?

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URNT12 KWBC 260143 VORTEX DATA MESSAGE AL092024
A. 26/01:11:06Z
B. 22.88 deg N 086.70 deg W
C. NA
D. 973 mb
E. 205 deg 07 kt
F. OPEN SE

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That’s from 8:11 central time and appears accurate with IR.

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ecause we have a non refundable vacation, so we gonna do what we have to do.

Storm will be past but not sure how the roadways will be or which detours may be available, but guess we will FAFO

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I would check with wherever you are going. Sometimes for storms like this even the nonrefundable rates can be cancelled due to an act of God.

Even if they don't budge on that, a lot of times they'll give you a credit for awhile. I had a New Orleans trip I had to cancel and it was past the cancellation deadline so it was nonrefundable. They wouldn't refund the hotel but they advised they would give me a credit and I had one year to use it.

If you absolutely do have to make it, pack up all supplies you need.

Assuming you are coming from Louisiana, if you're in North Louisiana I would take 20 to Atlanta, 75 to Macon, 16 to Savannah, 95 to Daytona Beach and then 4 to Orlando, essentially going around the storm and coming to Orlando from the east. Yes it will be a lot longer but 75 south of Macon will be iffy at best and 10 in the Panhandle will be a disaster from around Mile Marker 130 to Mile Marker 296 (where I-75 and I-10 meet).

If your'e in South Louisiana, I don't think you need to go all the way up to 20. I would say take 10 to Mobile, then 65 to Montgomery, then 85 to Auburn. At Auburn get off 85 and take US 280 to Columbus and then US 80 to Macon. It's a good road and parts of it are essentially interstate level or at least 4 lane divided highway level. Once again at Macon (unless you are seeing reports 75 is clear which it probably won't be) I would take 16 to Savannah, 95 to Daytona Beach and then 4 to Orlando.

Unless it goes further west and maybe doesn't impact 75 as much, I would avoid 75 south of Macon. It's a major route so the biggest priority will be keeping it open but even if it is open gas and lodging (if you get stuck somewhere and can't make it that day to Orlando) could be difficult to find.

Biggest thing is to take 16 to Savannah and 95 south through Jacksonville to Daytona Beach and then 4 to Orlando to essentially go around the impacted areas.

West Georgia has gotten a lot of rain today which won’t help

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Im going to blow your mind, but potentially you saw a more updated one than I was referencing.

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, I thought you possibly had a more updated one than me.

I would stay if no water concerns.
Have a generator.
No major concerns with falling trees
No young children to care for

Riding out a hurricane, at night, with pine trees swaying and creaking, and things constantly falling on the roof and flying against your windows is an incredibly unnerving experience. Starting to hear trees snap and fall is even worse.

Not seeing much from the plane right now to support an 85mph storm. Let's see what they find with this next pass.

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would stay if no water concerns. Have a generator. No major concerns with falling trees No young children to care for

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Me too.

It will be a headache for people regardless (understatement of the year), but leaving is just as much of a headache for different reasons as staying is. I’m also sympathetic to the idea that people want to be home to protect their things. It’s mostly futile, but I get it.

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That is a weird place in the winter. It gets dark at 3:30.

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Uh, no. I live on the eastern edge of the central time zone and further north. In late December it gets dark around 4:30.