TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Evacuees have been heading west to escape the path of Irma.
Here's a look at earlier today, very much the same picture. A very congested line of traffic heading west towards Quincy.
Evacuees are coming from all over the state from Miami to Tampa to St. Augustine.
Many of them stopping here to stretch, use the restroom, and walk the dog. We spoke to one man who said he's been through hurricanes in Florida before but this time, it's different.
"It's not just something you want to play with. A Category 5 it's catastrophic. It's coming straight up the center of Florida," said Christopher Ladevaia, an evacuee from St. Augustine. "I'm concerned about my property and stuff like that, but I'm more concerned about my wellbeing and my father's wellbeing. A house -- you can rebuild. You can't rebuild your father."
These folks tell me they're heading west and north to places like Alabama, even Tennessee, to stay with friends and family.
And with thousands of Floridians passing through our area, Tallahassee Police are asking everyone on the roads to be patient.
"At this point, there are simply so many people on the roadways that the roadways cannot handle them all at the same time at a fast pace," said Officer David Northway with the Tallahassee Police Department. "So, you're seeing those situations come up now -- bumper-to-bumper traffic -- even on our highways. Then, the exits -- the area around the exits -- is going to be very, very crowded, so, patience is the key word."
