Texas Beachgoers Flock to Florida Beaches

Hurricane Takes Aim at Texas - Beachgoers Flock to Florida Beaches

Many families had planned their Texas beach vacation for months. But as Hurricane Dolly strengthened into a Category 2 storm Wednesday, these vacationers were planning their escape route. After all, the maximum sustained winds are near 100 mph and the hurricane's leading edge lashed the Gulf Coast near the Texas-Mexico border with heavy rain and powerful winds.

The center of the Category 2 hurricane was expected to make landfall later Wednesday and dump up to 15 inches of rain, threatening flooding that could breach levees in the heavily populated Rio Grande valley.

Dolly, upgraded from a tropical storm Tuesday, and became a Category 2 storm on Wednesday morning.

With hurricane force winds strengthening, many people on vacation at Texas beaches are planning their exit strategy. And without letting the vacation turn into a complete loss, many Texas hurricane evacuees are flocking to the pristine beaches of Florida.

Getting to Florida from Texas

The drive from Texas to Florida is a memorable experience as you get to witness the beauty of the Deep South. The drive consists of a long stretch of travel along Interstate 10. If you are traveling in a Suburban, you can take turns driving while the other passenger sleeps in the third row. Depending on the area of Texas in which you begin your trip, the drive could last as little as twelve hours and as long as twenty-two.

Florida's Panhandle Beaches

The Florida Panhandle Beaches are among some of the most beautiful in the United States. Several of the beaches along this stretch of highway are within the Florida State Park system and are available for use for only a small fee. The beaches are clean and pristine, with white sand beaches and well protected sand dunes.

The beaches along the Alabama and Florida border near the Florida Panhandle, from Cape San Blas with emerald shorelines to deep blue seawaters have sugary-like white sand beaches. These Florida beaches are often referred to as a "visual feast" and for those that are in Texas for a beach vacation who are disappointed by the coming hurricane - the drive to Florida is well worth it.