Traffic

[GoodWitch58]

Yes, I agree. The thing that is so frustrating here is that much of the traffic problem is predictable; but it seems (I am sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong) it seems that no one is managing the situation.

On June 30, the traffic volume on all roads leading into the beach was unbelieveable. 331 was backed up bumper to bumper (and almost not moving) southbound from the Walmart in DFS to Freeport. There were some cops out around 5 p.m. I was driving to a wedding in DFS from Santa Rosa. It took me 1 hour and 15 minutes to get there (normally a half hour trip) and I was going northbound.

My son and his family were driving from Mississippi a normal 3 hour trip, it took
over 5 hours. They missed the wedding.

That was the beginning of the holiday weekend surge of tourists. Today, they were all going northbound on 331--and there seemed to be no notice to travelers about the delays, no cops directing traffic...little being done to manage a potentially dangerous situation. My recollection is that it is not much better during evacuation--but, I normally leave pretty early so there may be some management as the storm gets closer.

This lack of management, lack of vision, lack of common sense approach to everyday situations is what drives me crazy here in paradise. It's not as though we don't know tourists are coming--the TDC will tell you we are one of the #1 drive-to destinations in the country! We market for that--so, why don't we manage the traffic! Same reason we haven't managed the development and aren't managing the private ownership of the beach situation I guess

 

[yippie]

In Destin, the tourist were not ask to evacuate earlier. I actually called the mayor and ask why they weren't. I was told something about it is illegal to "make" people leave in Florida.

I understand you can't make the property owners leave their property, however, it doesn't make sense why you can't make a non-resident leave property they don't own....

The person who posted it doesn't look like anyone is managing things... this is so true. Excuse my expression, but I have been convinced for years that no one has the ba*&'s to say no. Frustrating.

 

[GoodWitch58]

Yippie, you may be right. If anyone did, we wouldn't have to look at Emerald Grand when we drive/fly over the Destin Bridge!

 

[Smiling JOe]

Where were the infrastructure planners when the local government was approving all this development...a two lane highway into (and out of) "the world's most beautiful beaches...."

I think a better question is why are the cops there directing traffic, easing the flow? A few cops directing traffic won't cure all, but it could certainly help speed things along in Freeport and Defuniak.

 

[BeachSiO2]

BeachSI02, do you have anything official on the EOC telling tourists they must leave early? If so, I don't think it was being done last time we evacuated....I would like to know what the official statement is. Thanks.

Others on this thread are better suited to fill in details but I can tell you that numerous emails and public address statements are sent out to: all bed tax collectors that have registered an email with the TDC, Chamber of Commerce Businessess, and local, state and regional media. These statements are drafted by the Director of Citizen Services or his designee for the County and approved by the EOC.

Maybe someone should post them on Sowal too

 

[yippie]

Yippie, you may be right. If anyone did, we wouldn't have to look at Emerald Grand when we drive/fly over the Destin Bridge!

That building.... not only is it hidious, but there are major problems with the construction of it. Bad issues.

 

[yippie]

Others on this thread are better suited to fill in details but I can tell you that numerous emails and public address statements are sent out to: all bed tax collectors that have registered an email with the TDC, Chamber of Commerce Businessess, and local, state and regional media. These statements are drafted by the Director of Citizen Services or his designee for the County and approved by the EOC.

Maybe someone should post them on Sowal too

Maybe so, but someone has got to act. That's the problem, no one will act on these statements.

Everyone is "afraid it will be bad for tourism" or they are so greedy, they don't want to risk losing a few nights rent or commissions.

What they don't understand is ultimately, they are putting everyone at risk by not acting. Sometimes as a local, I watch decisions that are made and feel like I am less important than our tourist even though I contribute year round.

 

[BeachSiO2]

Maybe so, but someone has got to act. That's the problem, no one will act on these statements.

Everyone is "afraid it will be bad for tourism" or they are so greedy, they don't want to risk losing a few nights rent or commissions.

What they don't understand is ultimately, they are putting everyone at risk by not acting. Sometimes as a local, I watch decisions that are made and feel like I am less important than our tourist even though I contribute year round.

I have to disagree on this one as the TDC was the agency that sent out emails and faxes to bed tax collectors, chamber of commerce members, etc before there was a Citizen Services Department. This was from I think 1999 or 2000 through 2003. In 2004, Citizen Sevices took it over. I know the Citizen Services Director reads this website which is why I put in the plug for sowal;-) .

If you post other locations or other means, I am sure he will add those to his list. People are acting so tell them where to act, I for one think sowal is a good one.

Like I said earlier, I believe that since sowal was a ghost town the last 24 hours before Dennis hit then something is working let's all help to make it better!

 

[GoodWitch58]

There appear to be many things that could be improved with the local government...it seems to be mostly reactive instead of planning, or managing, the problems.

perhaps we need a different kind of government. A County Manager perhaps--anyone have any thoughts?

 

[scooterbug44]

My experience with Ivan and Dennis was that the majority of tourists leave or cancel when a hurricane or tropical storm is reported. I'm usually one of the last to leave just to avoid the 98/331 cluster.

Someone told me that the "official" evacuation plan solely consists of them recognizing that it is impossible to evacuate the area because of the increased population.