Evacuees find shelter in Atlanta: 'I can't believe all the wonderful people'

ATLANTA — Metro Atlanta roads have been stretched thin as people evacuate for Hurricane Irma.

Many people have horror stories about the mad dash to get out of Florida and into Georgia ahead of the storm.

Along with worrying about whether their homes will be standing, evacuees told Channel 2's Matt Johnson they are also concerned about what traffic will be like next week when everyone goes home.

Johnson went to the Atlanta Motor Speedway, which opened its campgrounds for evacuees.

"I can't believe all of the wonderful people here," evacuee John Glowacki said.

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Glowacki was one of hundreds of people who spent the last few days at the campgrounds.

"A 200-mile trip took me about 13 hours," evacuee Russell Gorniak said.

Traffic has improved on I-75 in metro Atlanta compared to when evacuees filled the interstate during the week to get here.

"I hope it's not like it was coming up here, but God only knows. Let's put it that way," Gorniak said.

Johnson spoke to a couple who avoided traffic on the way to metro Atlanta, but missed out on a hotel.

"We left Spring Hill after finding out there wasn't a hotel available within 500 miles," Gary Houston said.

He said now he's more concerned about the gas supply when it's time to get back on the road.

Most people said since severe weather is expected in the metro Monday and Tuesday, they will wait until Wednesday to head back.

Cox Media Group