Right now, many of you on HP have probably seen the news of the most current hurricane that is currently causing havoc right after Texas' horrific tragedy of Hurricane Harvey; for those who do not know yet, Hurricane Irma has been dubbed as both a storm never seen before and the strongest hurricane ever recorded on the Atlantic. She is a Category 5 and has not slowed down, having hit - and devastated - the Caribbean Islands, Virgin Islands & Puerto Rico. There have already been 8 confirmed fatalities to this storm and rising. She is predicted to drop to a Category 4 as she swallows the entire state of Florida and go up to Georgia where she will turn into a Category 1 or Tropical Storm.

As many of you also know, I currently live in Daytona Beach, Florida, one of the places Irma is about to hit shortly. Over the years, I have ridden out over 10 - 15 hurricanes in my life and have never left the state, but due to her sheer strength and speed - along with how many hurricanes this house has taken hits from - I am evacuating completely out of state and will be residing in Gadsden, Alabama for a week to stay safe at a Motel 6. It is unlike me to say that I am nervous, but I an sincerely terrifed that I will be coming home to ruins where my home once stood. I truly hope this is not the case, but only time will tell. In the meantime, I am trying to make the most of it and finding any glimmers of positivity there might be during this. I will be able to update you all every 2 hours Eastern Standard Time on my current situation and safety as the motel we're staying at has free WIFI/internet access and a workdesk allowing me to bring my laptop along for the travels.

Finally, I would also like to start a IRMA CONNECTION NETWORK (ICN) to everyone on HP; since there are many in FL and Georgia where Irma will be, please also post your safety with mine so we all know that you are safe too even if it is a short messages. Stay safe this weekend HP & I will update you whenever I can!!

BUMP!!

Good luck Equ! Evacuations can be terrifying, I've had my fair share of them v-v I'll be praying for you and for everyone else in the path of Irma this weekend. Your first priority is to stay safe, okay? ♥♥

@Monnie - Thank-you!! This is very terrifying and the first time I have ever left the state of Florida for a hurricane. I am freaking out!! Hopefully you are out of dodge from Irma and safe too!

IRMA EVAC UPDATE: 9/7/17

Today will be the last post from me for awhile; the family is officially packed and we have our GPS set to the Motel 6 in Alabama. The drive from where we are going will be 9 - 10 hours long, if not a day. We will be leaving at 12 - 1AM Friday morning Eastern Standard time. I will update you all when we get there!!!

Be safe Equ. 

Stay safe Equ (and family of Equ!)

Hopefully the roads are clear and you have a quick trip.  Stay safe and enjoy your time in Alabama!

Thinking of you! ❤

Have a safe trip!

Stay Safe! ❤

Be safe Equ!!

If you need anything, you know i'm not that far from the state lines!! ♥

stay safe dear! 

having just gone through harvey I know EXACTLY how you are feeling!

keep us posted please! 

Drink lots of coffee! middle of the night bug outs are horrible but at least it helps with traffic :(

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

Eek!  Stay safe dear and let us know if there is anything we can do to help out! ♥

Be safe!

IRMA EVAC UPDATES: 9/8/17 

Family and I left for Gadsen, Alabama on Friday at midnight sharp; after traveling for about 16 hours due to severe evacuation traffic and over 50,000 miles across three states, we have finally safely arrived at the Motel 6 in Alabama. We are now all settled in and resting up for the rest of the day.

According to the newest updates about Hurricane Irma, she will be following us up to Alabama, but the storm will be just heavy winds and rain which is harmless.

Glad to hear you made it, Equ!

I had to fly to Florida earlier this week, and hire some guys to board my condo's windows up. I am heading out early tomorrow by car in TN or GA. I'm glad you're safe Equ!

thanks for the update!

IRMA EVAC UPDATES: 9/10/17

Irma has officially decided to swing up to the west instead of the east and has bounced its strength from a Category 5 to a Category 3; she has now this morning restrengthened to a Category 4 and is rolling her way to the Miami-Date region. The storm has also begun to lose speed, making its trip across the states slower and her arrival is even more onimous. After hitting Florida, she will move up to Georgia as a Category 3, if not less then to Alabama where I am residing. The storm should be harmless by this point minus dangerous driving conditions. Due to this most recent update on Irma, we have decided to extend our stay in Alabama from leaving on Wednesday, September 13th to now leaving on Thursday, September 13th so I will be safe through this time.