400 Retirees Flee to Fort Mill as Irma Churns Toward U.S.

CHARLOTTE, NC- More than seven hours of driving behind them, and the escape is over.

“You just have to leave, step out of the house, lock the doors and come,” said Mary Noonan.

Noonan is one of more than 400 retirees who left everything behind and evacuated Hilton Head Island Friday as Hurricane Irma churns closer to the U.S.

“You just have to let everything go,” said Joy Danneker. “It’ll be what it will be.”

MorningStar Fellowship Church and Heritage Conference Center in Fort Mill opened rooms to them.

Regardless of what’s going on here if they have to evacuate, we will prioritize them,” said Heritage Conference Center General Manager Erika Robinson.

Some had to bring care givers. Paramedics had to take others to area nursing homes.

“You can replace what’s important, and most of it probably isn’t important,” said John Danneker.

They described traffic nightmares, wrecks, bumper to bumper as people flee Hurricane Irma’s deadly path.

In Charlotte, hotels are filling fast. Evacuees are turning to Airbnb to rent out apartments.

“We were empty for this weekend until Tuesday, and then everything filled up,” said Kevin Stringari. “All seven are completely booked now.”
Evacuees have no idea when they’ll be able to return home. They are just glad they got out.”Everything that I left is material, and we have to face that, you know?” said Noonan.

The Charlotte Motor Speedway is providing camping spots for evacuees.

To learn more, click here.

The conference center in Fort Mill is providing meals for the evacuees. They can always use volunteers. If you want to help, call