Mandatory Evacuations
By Jeff Moffitt
@moffittjc (128397)
Gainesville, Florida
April 21, 2026 4:36pm CST
I haven't been on myLot in the past few days, but for good reason. The US is in the middle of one of its worst droughts in history, with over 80% of the continental states in drought conditions. And here in Florida where I live, it's even worse. We have not had any rainfall in months, and the result has been hundreds of wildfires exploding all over the place.
Up until this past weekend, most of the fire activity has been in remote forested locations, but on Sunday a massive wildfire started just a few miles from where I live. Due to the extreme dry conditions, the fire got out of control quickly, even though crews started battling it right away. And because of high winds from a dry cold front that pushed through the area, the fire was pushed towards the suburban areas where I live.
On Sunday afternoon, mandatory evacuations were ordered for my neighborhood and several others. We had very little time to gather a few belongings and get out. It was more of the authorities being proactive than due to any imminent danger, but it was so smoky outside that it really did feel like armageddon was upon us. The nice thing was, as we left our neighborhood, fire trucks were entering and hosing down all the houses to hopefully prevent any from going up in flames.
The fire is currently 25% contained, but is now burning away from civilized areas, so we were allowed to return home yesterday. Even today, 3 days later, I can still hear the helicopters overhead as they race back and forth dropping water on the fire, and we still have some pretty smoky conditions. But the winds have shifted and the smoke should clear up by tonight.
I have always respected firefighters, but I definitely have a newfound admiration for the work they do in keeping everyone safe.
And I'm not going to lie, I was terrified that I was going to return to nothing but a pile of ashes and embers where my house once stood. It looks like the immediate danger is over for now, although dozens of new wildfires keep springing up daily.
I hate to say this, but the amount of rain we need right now can only be satisfied by a tropical storm or hurricane stalling over the state and dumping massive amounts of rain on us. Unfortunately, due to El Niño conditions, hurricane activity is forecast to be minimal this year.
Have you ever been evacuated due to a forest fire or other act of Mother Nature?
20 people like this
20 responses
@DaddyEvil (173667)
• United States
22 Apr
No, we've never needed to evacuate for storms or fires. We get tornadoes here and they're too sudden to merit evacuations.
I'm glad you, your family and your home are safe for now and hope you won't need to evacuate again.
4 people like this
@moffittjc (128397)
• Gainesville, Florida
22 Apr
Thankfully, firefighters were at the top of their game and were able to create fire breaks and containment lines to protect homes and keep everyone safe. The fire is still raging, but is burning in areas not inhabited by people. Unfortunately, the thick smoke has been lingering for several days now and is making it difficult to see or breathe.
2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (173667)
• United States
22 Apr
@moffittjc Areas to the West of us are showing possible fire zones but we're getting storms every couple of days or every day now.
You could come and stay with us. We have floor space for several people.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (128397)
• Gainesville, Florida
22 Apr
@DaddyEvil Road trip!!! You got room for eight? Lol
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (118937)
• United States
21 Apr
No, we don’t evacuate for our big storms, which are tornadoes. We have had plenty of wildfires though, with a lot of people forced to evacuate, but not my area. Up until last week our drought was incredibly serious, and then we got five days of rain. A few tornadoes came along too, but hey, it put several wildfires out. It also made a lot of farmers happy.
I really hope you guys somehow get some rain. I would have been pretty terrified if I had faced your scenario as well.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (128397)
• Gainesville, Florida
21 Apr
I looked at the long range weather forecast just a few minutes ago, and we don't have any rain in our forecast for at least the next 10 days. Sigh.
Do all the homes in your area have basements or tornado shelters?
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (118937)
• United States
21 Apr
@moffittjc No, no basements because of how hard it is to keep them from flooding here. Storm shelters are probably 3 out of 10 homes (they’re so expensive). My dad didn’t have one until he married my stepmom. The only thing she ever paid for (his preference) of that house is a storm shelter in the garage. It was put in as soon as she married him.
You know the drill: get in the middle of the house on the lowest level, or in a bathtub and cover yourself.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (128397)
• Gainesville, Florida
21 Apr
@AmbiePam Most of the homes in Florida don't have basements either, due to how close to sea level most of the state is. We're told the same thing here: either get in the bathtub and cover yourself, or get in the frame of a doorway and cover yourself.
2 people like this
@FourWalls (85835)
• United States
22 Apr
I went to my aunt's house with my important paperwork because of the threat of severe tornados one time (the March 2, 2012 tornado that hit Henryville, Indiana but thankfully didn't get near Louisville). I'm so sorry you had to evacuate. We were in Florida once during some wildfires. The air was horrible, so we left the next day. Praying everything and everyone is okay. 
2 people like this
@FourWalls (85835)
• United States
22 Apr
@moffittjc — and the sad thing is…what you need to bust the drought when it gets to this point is what you don’t really want: a tropical system.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128397)
• Gainesville, Florida
22 Apr
It was a scary moment for sure, but thankfully more cautionary than anything. I was actually laughing that the firefighters were hosing down the roof of my house (and all the other homes), because I have a metal roof, which is less likely to catch fire than the regular asphalt shingle roofs.
The smoke has been the worst part of all this. We are now on our 5th day of smoky conditions, and it’s like a thick fog all day long. Not to mention how difficult it is to breath.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128397)
• Gainesville, Florida
22 Apr
@FourWalls Exactly! But at this point, what’s the lesser of two evils? I’m thinking I’d rather take my chances with a tropical storm or hurricane. My house was built to withstand winds. Not so sure it was built to withstand fire.
1 person likes this
@rakski (153630)
• Philippines
23 Apr
@moffittjc oh yes, because the fire can move around so fast with wind
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128397)
• Gainesville, Florida
24 Apr
@rakski It was the high winds that night that pushed the fire so quickly to urbanized areas. Thankfully, the next day the winds shifted back in the opposite direction.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128397)
• Gainesville, Florida
22 Apr
I’ve had to evacuate before due to approaching hurricanes (typhoons), but you usually have plenty of notice and can prepare for the evacuation. In the case of this particular wildfire, it came as a complete surprise and we were ordered to evacuate with no warning ahead of time.
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (121060)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
22 Apr
My relatives and myself had to evacuate from home when Hurricane Katrina came to south Louisiana in 2005.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (128397)
• Gainesville, Florida
22 Apr
Hurricane Katrina was a doozy, and you were smart to evacuate. Look what happened to all the people who stayed.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128397)
• Gainesville, Florida
24 Apr
@Deepizzaguy Sometimes these natural disasters bring out the worst in humans, but sometimes they also bring out the best. And although the media focused on reporting the bad stuff in the aftermath of Katrina, there were also a lot of "good" stories that happened that the media didn't report on. People helping people and showing kindness, and all that stuff. The media never reports on the good stuff.
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (121060)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
22 Apr
@moffittjc That is true since I was able to see the news reports on television.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (58030)
•
21 Apr
I’m so sorry, Jeff. That had to be very worrying!! I wish the fire and fire dangers were out. Have everyone pack a bag and have them ready if it happens again!!
Yes, years ago I was in San Diego as my sister was terminally ill. A huge stretch of homes were told to evacuate and we had to stay away for four nights . Sister was in the hospital on oxygen so she was at least safe. The hospital had guest rooms and gave me one. There were absolutely no hotel rooms available so I was very fortunate.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (128397)
• Gainesville, Florida
21 Apr
Wow, you did get lucky in your situation, although the situation itself was an unlucky and unfortunate event.
Yes, we know all so well from hurricanes to have a travel bag ready to go in case of evacuations.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (128397)
• Gainesville, Florida
23 Apr
@MarieCoyle Not necessarily ba moment’s notice, but you do have to be prepared to evacuate quickly if the hurricane changes direction, or the flooding is worse than predicted, or the storm suddenly intensifies as it hits land. So yeah, you definitely got to be ready.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (58030)
•
22 Apr
@moffittjcYes, since you live in hurricane land, I’m sure you have had to be ready to go on a moments notice many times.
2 people like this
@snowy22315 (207223)
• United States
21 Apr
Not really, but during the aftermath of the tornado I had here I was asked if I wanted to leave. I wasn't going to leave my pets though..During our big winter storm of several years back I visited the warming shelter a couple of times as we did not have power for 3 days and it was frigid...Really glad your house is still standing. Drought here too. Fortunately, rain is expected this weekend, and possibly some tomorrow as well.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (128397)
• Gainesville, Florida
21 Apr
I always worry about people in those devastating winter storms, because once you lose power conditions can go downhill really quickly.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (128397)
• Gainesville, Florida
23 Apr
@snowy22315 That’s sad to hear about, especially since it could have been prevented. I’d also be interested in knowing the backstory.
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (39982)
• Toccoa, Georgia
22 Apr
No, I have not ever been evacuated due to fire or weather. Thank goodness you were able to return to your house. I will keep you and your neighborhood in my prayers that you don't have to evacuate again. I pray you will also get some good steady rain.
We are under the same draught conditions. I read that there are sone forest fires in South Georgia that have spread into Southern South Carolina. Our whole area is under a total burn ban. The hopeful good news is that rain is expected here this weekend. I just hope it is a good steady rain.
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (39982)
• Toccoa, Georgia
23 Apr
@moffittjc that is true. I will keep the firefighters in my prayers also.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128397)
• Gainesville, Florida
22 Apr
So many fires everywhere right now, and I’m sure all the forestry and firefighting resources are stretched thin. I think all our prayers need to be offered up to those fighting these fires.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128397)
• Gainesville, Florida
26 Apr
@LeaPea2417 It seems like 2-3 new fires are popping up every day, faster than firefighters can put them out. We desperately need need rain in north Florida and South Georgia.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (134252)
• Marion, Ohio
21 Apr
Glad everything is safe. Hope they can get it out soon.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (128397)
• Gainesville, Florida
28 Apr
The one that threatened us and caused evacuations is still burning, now a week into it. But they were able to contain the part that was threatening urban areas. It’s still only about 30% contained, but the direction it is burning poses no threat to people. But now another wildfire has started on the other side of our city that is threatening homes.
1 person likes this
@Fleura (34695)
• United Kingdom
21 Apr
No, but I am very frightened of fire. When we had a very hot spell here a couple of summers ago, I was very aware of how close the woods are to our house and how quickly things could go very wrong. In one place (not near here, but that's irrelevant as it could happen anywhere) a row of houses were burnt to nothing but shells after a compost heap in one of their gardens spontaneously ignited.
Glad you are safe anyway and no damage.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (128397)
• Gainesville, Florida
21 Apr
I have a very healthy fear of wildfires since I have seen firsthand the damage they can do, and how quickly it can all unfold. My biggest fear is the winds shifting during the night and the fire turning back towards our neighborhoods. I would only hope that officials could notify and getting everyone out quickly. Things can get confusing and disoriented at night, especially if people are woken from a deep sleep.
In your area of the UK, what is the biggest "natural disaster" that you're afraid of?
2 people like this
@DianneN (254717)
• United States
22 Apr
I saw that on the news and thought of you. So sorry it caused you so much trouble and worry. Very happy you didn’t lose your home.
We’ve had lots of wind coming off the water, but no fire reports. Helicopters fly around looking for fire outbreaks.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128397)
• Gainesville, Florida
28 Apr
The firefighting helicopters have become a part of life here now it seems. They are constantly flying overhead, and back and forth as they fight fires. And with it as dry as it is right now, I’m surprised they can find bodies of water with enough water to fill up those giant buckets they haul to fight fires. So far, they haven’t had to resort to filling up from people’s swimming pools.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128397)
• Gainesville, Florida
28 Apr
@DianneN My son, who lives in Wellington, told me last weekend that they got a good dose of rain in the western communities, and it prompted him and his uncle to go mudding in their 4x4 trucks. Both of them got stuck in the mud and after waiting for 2 hours in the hopes that someone would drive by and rescue them (they were way out in the woods off the beaten path), they finally called the Fish & Wildlife Commission to come rescue them. After coming to the rescue, the good ole FWC issued both of them tickets for illegally offroading in a managed wildlife area.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (254717)
• United States
28 Apr
@moffittjc They know what to do it seems. I am counting our blessings that it hasn’t happened here. We had some rain a few nights ago. Hope it was enough.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128397)
• Gainesville, Florida
22 Apr
I think I remember you writing a discussion on myLot about fires you had near you at your previous home. It can certainly be very scary not knowing what direction a fire will turn with no notice whatsoever, and being unsure if your home could be saved. Glad you never had any major issues with wildfires.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128397)
• Gainesville, Florida
24 Apr
@JudyEv I grabbed a couple of changes of clothes, my phone and charger, my laptop, and some food.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (379597)
• Rockingham, Australia
23 Apr
@moffittjc I'm curious about what you took with you. It would be so hard to decide. I think we took hard drives which had all/most of our photos. Also clothes. I don't remember taking blankets or pots and pans which might have been sensible.
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (51736)
• Staten Island, New York
22 Apr
That's some scary stuff. Glad the fires didn’t make it to your house. By the way, are you far from the Miami area?
2 people like this
@moffittjc (128397)
• Gainesville, Florida
22 Apr
Yes, I am in north Florida. Miami is about 400 miles south of me.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (220670)
• United States
24 Apr
I'm sorry to hear that you were evacuated. Yes, the drought in FL is severe.
I've never been evacuated.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128397)
• Gainesville, Florida
28 Apr
We had another big wildfire nearby that threatened urban areas, but this one was on the opposite side of town from me. I love that my city is surrounded by nature, but it’s times like this where it can be very nerve wracking having so much forest around us.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128397)
• Gainesville, Florida
6 May
@LindaOHio It's only been 2 days since we got a dosing of heavy rain, and already more wildfires are breaking out. We've got a new one burning just east of Gainesville, and the smoke has been so bad that the University of Florida had to cancel classes for a day.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (220670)
• United States
29 Apr
@moffittjc I hope FL starts getting some rain.
1 person likes this
@dodo19 (48062)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
23 Apr
@moffittjc Honestly, I probably would too. Better be safe than sorry.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128397)
• Gainesville, Florida
25 Apr
@dodo19 You know what’s crazy? We haven’t had any rain in over 2 months, and of course today I’m at Disney World and it’s pouring down rain here! But not at home a little north of Disney where all the fires are.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128397)
• Gainesville, Florida
22 Apr
I knew we were in for a bad fire season this year, but I never expected it to hit so close to home. I’m definitely paying close attention to everything happening right now.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (97031)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
22 Apr
Nope never evacuated but I know that when big fires start it can be scary, I hope all is all right now,
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (97031)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
23 Apr
@moffittjc nothing at our end and I have not heard,
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128397)
• Gainesville, Florida
26 Apr
@RasmaSandra Keep your fingers crossed that it stays that way. When looking at the drought map, most of the “extreme drought” conditions are in my area, and also slightly north towards the Georgia border.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128397)
• Gainesville, Florida
22 Apr
Any big fires over your way right now? I thought I had heard of one in Ormond Beach.
1 person likes this
@JESSY3236 (22044)
• United States
28 Apr
Yes. Back in 1989 when Hugo happened, my grandmother and I had to go to my uncle's house because there was no power at my grandmother's house. I had to leave my trailer when an icy storm happened back in 2003 because a tree limb fell on the roof. I had to leave my trailer several times because my mother was scared of storms and was scared of me being alone in the trailer.
We in NC have a drought too. Today was the first rainy day in a long while. It actually stormed.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128397)
• Gainesville, Florida
2 May
Today was our first rainy day as well. We got a decent amount of rain, but obviously not enough to really put a dent in the extreme drought conditions. But every little bit helps!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128397)
• Gainesville, Florida
22 Apr
I read yesterday that Asia is suffering the worst due to the closure of the Strait. I wish everyone would just come together and find a way to make peace.
1 person likes this
@thedevilinme (5192)
• Northampton, England
22 Apr
I didnt realise Florida had wild fires
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128397)
• Gainesville, Florida
22 Apr
We have quite a lot of wildfires here in Florida. People don’t realize how much of our state is covered in forests.
@Ineeddentures (31585)
•
22 Apr
We have experienced anything like that Jeff.
I've seen it on the TV about the wild fired over there and it does seem scary.
I can understand why you were worried about returning to a pile of ashes and rubble
Hopefully that will never happen
We have had wild fires on the hills here and in the Cairgorms bit nothing near us.
Lots of animals killed though, not good
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128397)
• Gainesville, Florida
28 Apr
Believe it or not, our native ecosystems here in Florida depend heavily on wildfires for growth and renewal, so in and of itself the fires are beneficial. The problem is that there are so many of them going on all at the same time that it’s stretching resources thin. Most of these fires they’ll just let them burn themselves out, unless it threatens urban areas of course.
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