Me: Begin?
PMG...The governor just said in reference to driving out of town.."Please practice extreme courtesy"..........
She is UNBELIEVABLE.
Don't want to brag, but when we (3 counties in the Tampa Bay area) were evacuated due to Charley headed our way, the EOC did a masterful job.
Because of Pinellas being a peninsula and the fear that folks exiting the peninsula over the bridges would be stuck on the bridges because of backup in the mainland communities (Hillsborough and Manatee,) the evacuation was ordered in stages.
Not to say everyone had to obey it, or did. But it went very smoothly. Pinellas was evacuated first, then Hillsborough and Manatee.
The traffic issues that could have resulted from such a widespread evac were a nightmare, but all went smoothly.
I was impressed with the plan. That being said, I'm sure it was thought out way in advance, and they started the evac very early.
Luckily, for us, Charley turned and we didn't have to face the consequences of a cat 4 coming ashore at the mouth of Tampa Bay.