Cumberland County rest stops see surge in Irma evacuees

CUMBERLAND COUNTY, North Carolina (WTVD) -- Highways are jam-packed Friday with drivers fleeing from Hurricane Irma's wrath. At a rest stop along I-95, there were drivers from states south of North Carolina taking breaks.

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"We stopped at three places for gasoline. Two places were out," said Florida resident Carol Lang.

Carol and John Lang are from Clearwater, Florida. They are headed to Maryland in their one bedroom RV. This isn't a road trip for kicks. These folks are headed north to get away from the tropical storm.

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"Irma! What do you think? Irma! Irma! Irma! We were going to stay and stick it out," Carol Lang said.

"We have food and water. A lot of water and Gatorade," John Lang added.

Each of them packed six sets of clothes hoping it'll last until the storm ends. Other drivers, like Diana King, are also fleeing the storm.

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"This is my husband Jonathan and our two huge, hairy beasts Humphrey and Marla," King said.

King and her husband are also from Florida. They are driving through the Carolinas with their family and boat in tow.

"We don't want to take any chances of (the boat) getting damaged because she's been in the family a very long time," said King. "We just want to be safe."

They're headed to Virginia and then Pennsylvania for a week, but the uncertainty of not knowing how much devastation Irma causes to their hometown is at the forefront of their mind.

"I just hope everyone is going to be safe. If they're telling you to evacuate, probably do it," said King. "It's probably going to be the best thing for everybody."

NCDOT suspended construction on all major highways statewide to better accommodate evacuees.