As many of the 3.1 Million people who live in and around Tampa, Florida try to evacuate, they are suddenly finding almost ALL of the gas stations OUT OF FUEL!
It is about 230 miles from Tampa, FL to Valdosta, GA, just over the Georgia state line. It's about 245 miles from Tampa to Florida's state capital city, Tallahassee. Knowing they have to drive north to escape the incoming hurricane onslaught, most drivers realize they need to fuel-up . . . . and now, there is almost no fuel to be found, ANYWHERE in central and north Florida.
Reports from motorists along Interstate 75 say they _are_ seeing some vehicles on the shoulder, but it is not known if those are out of gas, otherwise broken down, or just resting a few minutes.
(HT REMARK: I have often told my 30 year old son to keep his truck fueled up enough at all times, to make it from our home in New Jersey to our "bugout" country home in rural, northeast Pennsylvania. So he arrives up here Friday night, and his truck is almost empty of fuel! My own son ! ! ! Well, at least he made it. )
The "normalcy bias" that so many of us live in, allows us to tell ourselves "I'll get fuel later." We don't consciously accept that an emergency can crop-up at literally any time, so we live as if everything will always be normal; that we can go out anytime we have to and get fuel. Then, when an emergency DOES crop-up . . . . . OOOOOPS . . . I should have gotten fuel. Here's a brief video showing the fuel situation in and around Tampa, and the traffic. It's a nightmare:
Same thing with food. As you read this story after it is published 7:45 AM EDT on Tuesday, October 8, supermarkets throughout the entire Tampa area are stripped almost bare of foods. The people down there all went out to get emergency supplies at the last minute. Now, a lot of store shelves are bare.
Same store - water section:
Thankfully, there are still two days or so before Hurricane Milton starts _really_ hitting the Tampa area ferociously. Maybe those who have run out of fuel can get some help before the storm barrels-in. Maybe not.
Maybe some stores will get food deliveries. Maybe not. Those who waited to get stocked-up: Shit-outta-luck.
If thousands of people are out of fuel, there's only so much available from good Samaritans willing to help. Some of these people, will end up riding out this hurricane in a car on Interstate 75. Not a good plan - at all.
Don't be like these folks. PLAN. Live in a way that you will always have options if an emergency crops-up. It's not just the smart thing to do, as adults, it is your responsibility. Your family's lives might depend on it.
