Hurricane Helene is strengthening as expected, and landfall will occur on the Big Bend coast of Florida Thursday night. Traffic, however, will not wait for landfall to occur.
During a major hurricane, road conditions can be affected not just by flooding and crashes, but by road damage, precautionary closures, or just too many people on the road.
Hurricane Helene: Watch Florida webcams live, including Panama City, Port St. Joe
Hurricane Helene update: Track the Florida landfall path
Fortunately you can check out live video feeds along your itinerary before you depart, and leave less to chance if you need to be out on the roads.
How to stay aware of road conditions during Hurricane Helene
Credit: Florida Department of Transportation
As you’re probably aware, the Florida Department of Transportation operates a site called FL511, and it aggregates live video feeds along Florida’s roads and highways (some of which tend to be inoperable at any given time).
Credit: Florida Department of Transportation
The FL511 map overlays information on top of the Google Maps display of Florida.
Mashable Light Speed
Enter your starting point and destination in the info box on the left side, or right click on a location to draw up an itinerary.
To see live video along your specific route, find the box for “Traffic Cameras” and click it (assuming it’s not already clicked).
Credit: Florida Department of Transportation
To bring up an actual live video, click one of the camera icons.
Credit: Florida Department of Transportation
The FDOT also advises motorists to check FL511 for potential alternative routes in the event that conditions mandate road closures, which they almost certainly will on Thursday night and Friday morning.
In other words, check in with FDOT’s map early and often to make sure your route is actually your route during Hurricane Helene.
