This happened to me. I moved to Florida {winter Park just outside Orlando} in 2003-4.

Hurricane Charlie was the first hurricane, i think In 50 years, that was to be a direct hit on Orlando.

I attempted to drive out, but it was too late. The gas was gone everywhere. Cars were coming back in telling us forget it, don't bother, just buckle down. I would recommend heading further south it might be your only chance.

My experience: 9 days no power or clean water. As you can imagine everyday was 98+degrees. I saw trees uprooted as I was standing next to them.

I slept in my f250 every night, because it has AC. And i plugged my phone in at a Wendy's every morning early because being in construction, I knew they had backup power and the exterior outlets would be on.

Long story short, we were spared the worst, but be prepared for the worst of humanity, because I began to see the cracks at about 5 days in.

People eyeing up my truck. Any food and water bottles .. all could disappear with the wrong look at someone. And that was just 5 days. By the last day, shut was getting fairly dangerous.

I found it funny, and infuriating that the "projects" about a quarter mile away got power after 6 days. I also understood why .