Normal traffic patterns = a 3 hr drive is 10

Yesterday the news was saying that Route 75 (the major highway) is so jam packed with bumper to bumper traffic, that a normal drive that would take 3 hours, was about to take ten hours. The highway is so full of cars escaping the storm, that they opened the shoulders and other areas. 

A neighbor called around 11 because he found a place on the East Coast for fear the worst here (his wife has health problems. Needs to be on the power grid for oxygen). They've got kids over there, so it's just as well; the hotel is about a mile away from the son. We don't know when the guy and his wife left today, but he said that he's stuck on Alligator Alley. My mom said she saw a report that it's now 5 miles an hour in traffic, and he said he's going about that. So who knows what time this evening he and his wife will get there. But the call mainly was to ask if he shut his garage. 

It seems that majority of the neighborhood is still here. All the people we hung out with for Ian haven't left. No one is heeding the evacuation notice. We all are collectively hoping and praying and putting love and light out there: We will get through this. We will survive it. People are already banding together and helping put shutters up, so there are already enough people in the community who are staying. My mother is seeing the local Facebook and Nextdoor Groups checking in; how many people are here, who needs help, who has found a hotel. So all four parcels have enough people that I think we will be good. 

Right now, it's been quiet. We've had the news on and it's been spitting rain but not heavy. If it keeps up like this, maybe the water won't rise. 

Stores are closing between 12pm and 3pm this afternoon if they're not boarded up already. People are pushing the limits on allowing workers in offices as they know most should be traveling to leave. So if you need last minute stuff, good luck finding it and also good luck getting gas because a lot of places are out as well. 

Fort Myers Beach is making people leave the island by 3pm today. Forcefully evacuating and if no one heeds it, then they are on their own. For the safe guarding of the pipes, Lee County is shutting off the lines at noon. Which makes people leave as well because there will be no water. No flushing. Nothing. It's to save the pipes and not have problems. 

Sanibel and Captiva are forcing evacs too. Island living creatures need to get out or not get help if and when needed. 

I've got to go do some things so I'll write when I can.

Stay okay!!

Cheers