I live on a small private island and once an order is in place we have a set time we have to be off by. They want everyone off in case the causeway is destroyed. Makes sense. Way too many folks here plan to stay, they are mostly from areas out of state and they worry about looters. Good grief, what kind of people risk their own lives and those of first responders for a few belongings? For shame.

Our car is packed and we plan to leave tomorrow as soon as the home inspection is finished. This was our original plan, storm or not. Our property is at risk of flooding but the worst will be inland as any water here goes out with the tide twice a day. Of course, if it stalls the tides will be higher than normal.

I feel bad for the hospital and nursing homes, the law dictates they must evacuate so they have been coming and going. People have been discharged early who could have used another day or so of care. It is a mess. Ambulances and buses have been transporting more seriously ill patients for 2 days now. Not a good time to need medical services in the eastern half of the Carolinas

Rescue and law enforcement personal are directed to stand-down when the wind reaches a dangerous velocity. If you have a problem and the winds are hurricane force, you are basically on your own. That's the way it ought to be.

Apps to help out

https://www.npr.org/2018/09/13...

I need to learn to use a smart phone.

crawgarden said:Apps to help out

https://www.npr.org/2018/09/13...

Excellent! Thank you Rj! I meant to look for things like that & get the apps BEFORE I need them. Now I don't have to hunt them down.

I need to get a cell phone, Lin......

My husband and I solve most of that. If there is a hurricane pointing at us, we leave early and go to someplace that has Thai food and friendly people. It's worked well for us! Last time we went to Gulf Shores. OK hotel, good restaurants, friendly people with no rain or wind. Got back on I-10 heading back to Dayona and it was bumper to bumper for 50 miles!! When we passed the FL border, I pulled out our nifty old AAA map and got us home on the backroads with no traffic. Not even sure it took longer, it was just less stress.

I like having a paper map because it gives you the big picture but my smart phone re-routes us automatically onto the back roads when there is traffic. Often I thought it was making a mistake then learned it knew something I didn't. Guess that is why they call them smart.

ardesia said:I like having a paper map because it gives you the big picture but my smart phone re-routes us automatically onto the back riads when there is traffic. Often I thought it was making a mistake then learned it knew something I didn't. Guess that is why they call them smart.

Safe travels Alice, hope all good when you return home.

I have to agree on the paper map, I too keep it handy, but I have to say the smart phone Google map GPS was a lifesaver coming home from West Virginia on Sept. 11th. One of our routes I-26 was shut down to allow one way traffic from Charleston, but that GPS showed us a new route and we lost only maybe 20 minutes time getting to I-95.

We saw a ton of first responders heading north on I-95, of course lots of power utility trucks. Really nice to see how each state helps the other out

Onstar emergency services

https://arstechnica.com/cars/2...

Great link Rj

Cool!

******USAA Bank Members******
If your zone is mandatory evacuated and you have homeowners or renters insurance through USAA, call them and let them know -they will pay for your gas, food and hotel to evacuate. It's called prohibited usage for emergencies under renters/owners insurance. They will cover lodging for up to two weeks.Call 1-800-531-8722. Share this information

This information is confirmed. Please ask for the catastrophe dept.

Rj you're awesome with all of the information you're providing

Yes he is!