Florida evacuees seek refuge in the Hostess City

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) — Thousands are fleeing Florida in search of drier ground, many of those people are seeking safety and shelter in Savannah.

According to the Georgia Department of Economic Development, this is expected to be the largest evacuation since Hurricane Irma in 2017. Howard Rosenkrantz and his family found a place to stay along Gateway Boulevard.

“Initially I wanted to stay in Sarasota,” he said. “But, as the predictions got more and more dangerous for Sarasota, we said we better evacuate.”

On Tuesday, the city saw a steady flow of travelers taking advantage of the restaurants, gas stations and hotel options.

Largo, Florida resident Christopher Griego, told News 3 that this is his first time evacuating. He said the journey to Savannah was long and hard.

“Probably the first hundred miles…it was school zone speed,” Greigo said. ”Fifteen to 20 miles an hour for probably about the first hundred miles leaving Largo, Florida all the way up to Gainesville [Florida].”

People News 3 spoke with said they dread the hurricane aftermath and the long drive back to Florida wondering if their home is still intact.

“We’re still talking about 85 mile an hour winds and we don’t know how well everything will last,” the Skiles family from St. Augustine said.

“Normally we’re there, so we see what’s happening,” Greigo said. “We saw damage that happened last time, and we were able to help some neighbors that had trees that had fallen down and fences that had fallen down. We’re not going to know this time.”

When News 3 asked Greigo if he had words to say to his fellow Florida neighbors he said, “Bless you all. You know, our prayers are there for you.”