Hotels report increased traffic as storm approaches

Local hotels are reporting increased bookings as people flee the path of Hurricane Isaias as the storm makes its way to the Gulf Coast.

“We are making preparations now,” said Phil Patel, owner of Hampton Inn & Suites. We have to make sure we have everything we need to feed people and keep them comfortable.”

As of Friday morning, the predictions had the storm hitting on the west side of Alabama, with the outside right edge of the storm either just missing or striking Dublin, Laurens County. 

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On Monday, Patel reported increased activity in online booking for his 70 room facility near I-16. By Wednesday, the hotel was booked at capacity for this weekend. Friday morning, however, bookings had dropped to about 65 percent, mainly people fleeing the approaching storm. He said calls were still coming in to check availability.  

Other hotels reported similar trends. 

Last minute bookings or cancellations are always possible, the hotel owner said, as people track the storm.

“Anything can change from hour to hour,” he said.