Some Florida evacuees check into 2 Atmore hotels to escape Hurricane Milton

Published 4:55 pm Wednesday, October 9, 2024

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To escape the wrath of Hurricane Milton, some evacuees from Florida are staying in Atmore hotels tonight.

According to hotel managers from Hampton Inn and Holiday Inn Express, the hotels are at full capacity tonight.

Hampton Inn General Manager Troy Wolters said people from different areas are staying at the property, not just evacuees.

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Wolters said between 25-30 evacuees from Florida have checked into the hotel, which houses 81 rooms.

Wolters said most are coming from the Tampa Bay area.

Wolters said the majority of their calls were from evacuees or people looking for availability.

Rochelle Martin of Holiday Inn Express said the hotel has experienced some evacuees, adding that they have brought their pets as well.

Martin said the hotel is at capacity tonight, and as of 4:45 p.m. Wednesday, there are six vacancies for Thursday.

Holiday Inn Express has 80 rooms at its Atmore location.

According to the National Weather Service, there is a large area of destructive storm surge with the highest being 10-feet or greater. This swath of destruction is expected along a portion of the west central coast of the Florida Peninsula.

According to the NWS, water levels are forecasted to rise as the eye approaches the coach.

Hurricane-force winds are expected along portions of the west coast of Florida; and there is a risk of strong tornadoes into the evening hours across the southern and central portions of the Florida Peninsula.