Jonathan and Tammy Cook, along with nearly a dozen other family members, are calling the Hilton home tonight, after leaving their home late Tuesday night as Laura was strengthening in the Gulf.
Tammy told Baton Rouge ABC affiliate WBRZ that they felt like they could weather a Cat 1 or 2, because their home is on a higher elevation. But when the forecast went south, they packed up and got out.
The Cooks are not alone; Baton Rouge hotels have been filling up with evacuees this week.
The Crowne Plaza specifically is full; the hotel went from being empty to being very full.
Many utility crews also were checking in, using Baton Rouge as a staging area.
The Cooks remember Rita; they evacuated to Shreveport for that storm. They’re not too optimistic.
Jonathan said he remembers how bad it was, but even so “I’m ready to get back and get to work on fixing whatever’s broken. I’m ready to go as soon as the weather clears up.”
