Panhandle evacuee finds shelter in Northeast Florida as Hurricane Isaias closes in – News4JAX

Panhandle evacuee finds shelter in Northeast Florida as Hurricane Isaias closes in  News4JAX

Residents from Florida’s panhandle streamed into Jacksonville and the First Coast seeking refuge from Hurricane Isaias, only to find the region already grappling with flooding, waterspouts and rising tides that have blocked roads and strained emergency crews. ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – Residents from Florida’s panhandle streamed into Jacksonville and the First Coast seeking refuge from Hurricane Isaias, only to find the region already grappling with flooding, waterspouts and rising tides that have blocked roads and strained emergency crews. Kaylie Adams, who lives in Destin, was one of those evacuees. She said the drive to Jacksonville took a couple of extra hours because of heavy evacuee traffic on the roads.

TRACKING THE TROPICS | Tornado Watch expires as Category 2 Hurricane Isaias makes landfall “On the way here was really incredible — seeing all of the first line vehicles headed that way to help,” Adams said. “So knowing that they do have help right there is comforting, at least.” But Adams said the wait-and-watch part is harder to manage. “I think if it goes silent with everybody else, I might assume worst case scenario and be pretty worried,” she said. “I think it depends on how much information I’m able to receive prior to the drive.” Northeast Florida was dealing with its own weather problems even before evacuees arrived. Along