As Georgia and South Carolina brace for second Ian landfall, evacuees head toward Macon

As Tropical Storm Ian prepares for a second landfall on the Atlantic coast, evacuees from Florida and eastern Georgia are heading toward Macon.

Millions are without power as Ian tore across Florida. With Macon sitting in the heart of a major evacuation route, local hotels and motels are starting to fill up.

“Definitely seeing an uptick in bookings with some (evacuees) already checked in,” said April Bragg, president and CEO of the Robins Regional Chamber.

Some hotels and motels in the region that are sold out already had corporate events and parties booked in advance of the developing hurricane, including guests coming in for Fort Valley State University’s homecoming.

“At this time the Homecoming Committee, in consultation with our office of Emergency Management, is monitoring the current weather conditions and will advise when we know more,” FVSU posted on Facebook on Tuesday.

“One trend that they are seeing that is a little bit surprising, while people are calling in and phones are ringing off the hooks, they are seeing a lot of walk-ins,” Bragg said. “So, people just showing up with bags in tow, from the Tampa area primarily, coming into the hotels.”

Macon-Bibb is expecting a 70-to-75% occupancy of its hotel, motel and bed and breakfast spots through the weekend.

“But again, that quickly jumps as we begin to see evacuees in Macon,” said Gary Wheat, president and CEO of Visit Macon. “We did have a steady flow of evacuees through our Visitor Center … and that volume will increase over the next two to three days.”

Unlike the Warner Robins area, Macon-Bibb does not have any major groups in town this weekend that would be driving room nights.

The Macon-Bibb County Emergency Management Agency is ready to open shelters if requested in cooperation with the American Red Cross, including a shelter for pets should the need arise, said Macon-Bibb County spokesman Chris Floore.

Four-legged evacuees

The Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter is offering shelter for up to 250 horses in response to Hurricane Ian concerns.

Stall reservations are free and available first come, first serve for horses with appropriate paperwork and proof of a negative Coggins test.

Maggie Lane, marketing director at the Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter, said horses in the path of storm surge would likely face the biggest threat, but anyone is welcome to reserve a stall.

“We’re not requiring that they be in an area that has storm surge,” she said. “If anybody is fearful of wind or rain or weather that could potentially cause harm, we’re offering this.”

The facility is not offering shelter for horse owners and caretakers at this time.

“It’s tough timing for us as we gear up for the Georgia National Fair that starts next Thursday,” Lane said. “We have a completely full RV list and we’re working around the clock to get everything mowed and to get all the arenas and barns prepared for the fair … However, we’re working with the local [Convention & Visitors Bureau], Visit Perry, to find resources so that people can provide lodging for people in town as their horses reside in our barn.”

Lane said there are “still plenty of stalls” available to reserve.

To make a reservation, call Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter Public Safety at 478-988-6557.

The state agriculture department activated a disaster animal shelter at 4214 Fulton Mill Road in Macon that has capacity for 50 animals, according to Gov. Brian Kemp’s office.

Macon should avoid worst

Forecasters project Middle Georgia to get a few inches of rain and sustain wind gusts between 10-15 miles per hour. While most football games were moved up to Thursday evening, Bibb County Schools is operating as normal and most weekend events, including Macon Pride and Sunday’s Open Streets event, are being held as planned.

All of Georgia’s 159 counties are under a state of emergency ordered by Gov. Brian Kemp that went into effect Tuesday.

“I would say people should still be prepared for up to two or three inches of rain and strong winds,” said NWS meteorologist Katie Martin. “Those better conditions are very possible, but Ian may not track that far east. Then it would still bring storms to Macon and that area.”