Hurricane Milton: Traffic along I-75 up 280% as people evacuate Florida

Evacuees from Florida faced heavy traffic on Interstate 75 heading into metro Atlanta, as residents fled Hurricane Milton.

Channel 2′s Michael Seiden was in Henry County on Tuesday, where he spoke with families navigating the challenging journey to safety.

Seiden described the scene as a traffic nightmare, with cars inching through interstates and lining up at gas stations.

Many families were ordered to leave their homes ahead of the massive hurricane, causing congestion.

Among those on the road was Michael Bury from Tampa.

As he stopped to refuel at a RaceTrac off I-75, he shared his grueling experience.

RELATED STORIES:

• Hurricane Milton: Gov. Kemp issues new state of emergency
• Hurricane Milton: Here’s what evacuees need to know if they are heading metro Atlanta
• Hurricane Milton: Peach Pass adjusting lanes to help move evacuees faster

“Oh, I’m beat. You know I got a son that’s disabled, that’s why I decided to head this way,” said Bury.

Traffic wasn’t the only concern on the highways. Trucks carrying FEMA boats were also spotted heading back to Florida as the storm gained intensity.

“I wasn’t going to wait for the last minute,” said an evacuee, highlighting the urgency felt by many.

While at times vehicles moved smoothly, the situation quickly turned into a complete standstill.

The Georgia Department of Transportation says traffic volume along the interstate was up 280% between the Georgia-Florida state line and Macon.

The heavy influx of vehicles was evident as many sought refuge from the impending storm.

RELATED NEWS: