Evacuees flee to Alabama ahead of Hurricane Michael

MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA) - Hurricane Michael made landfall along the Florida Panhandle Wednesday afternoon, a monster Category 4 storm that was still building strenghth when it hit the coast with sustained winds of 155 mph.

Thousands of evacuees fled under emergency evacuation orders, while thousands of other Gulf Coast residents opted to ride out the storm.

Evacuees have fought heavy bumper-to-bumper traffic and have been unable to find hotel rooms south of Montgomery.

HOTEL VACANCIES

Most every room is booked, but the Alabama Department of Tourism is working to keep track of a real-time list of available hotel rooms for evacuees.

Check HERE for full statewide list of available rooms.

SHELTERS (Updated as new information is made available)

• Barbour County shelters include Ozark Civic Center, Abbeville United Methodist Church, and Balkkum Baptist Church in Headland (The Barbour County EMA advises that residents in White Oak Shores and Blue Springs State Park NOT attempt to ride out the hurricane in a camper). 
• Coffee County will open a shelter at Enterprise High School (1801 Boll Weevil Circle) from 5 a.m. Wednesday to 5 a.m. Thursday
• Dale County will open a Red Cross Shelter at Ozark Civic Center, 302 East College Street, at 2 p.m. Tuesday.  
• Montgomery County has opened an evacuee shelter at Aldersgate Church, 6610 Vaughn Road. 

TRAFFIC DELAYS

The Alabama Department of Transportation says the state’s hurricane evacuation routes are expected to remain heavily congested as motorist flee from the coast both northbound and westbound from the Florida Panhandle.

“We’re working closely with state and local law enforcement to keep traffic moving as efficiently as possible," said ALDOT spokesman Tony Harris. "We encourage everyone to be patient, drive attentively and safely, and buckle up during their travels. Safety should be the top priority for everyone.”

TRAFFIC AND ROAD CONDITIONS: http://www.ALGOtraffic.com

AIRBNB ACTIVATES OPEN HOMES PROGRAM

Airbnb has activated its Open Homes Program to aid residents of the Panhandle and Northern Florida forced to evacuate from their homes in connection with Hurricane Michael, as well as relief workers arriving to provide assistance. This runs from Oct. 8-29.

In the event of major emergencies like Michael, Airbnb’s Disaster Response and Relief Team activates its host communities through the Open Homes program to support neighbors helping neighbors. The Open Homes platform allows residents who have been displaced -- as well as emergency relief workers and volunteers who are coming in to assist -- to find temporary accommodations with local hosts who are opening their homes free of charge.

Evacuees should go to airbnb.com/hurricanemichael to locate free listings within close proximity by clicking “Find Shelter”.

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