GREENSBORO, N.C. -- About 1.7 million people along the Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina coast are in evacuation zones for Hurricane Florence. Hotels around the triad are ready for hundreds to move inland to their rooms.

  • May hotels are changing their rules during the storm, such as lowering rates and allowing pets
  • It's recommended to call hotels directly to try and book rooms, because it's easier to get the most up-to-date information
  • There is no timeline on how long some guests might have to stay

According to the General Manager of the Hampton Inn & Suites Greensboro/Colisum Area evacuees from North and South Carolina are already checked in.

"We do have some availability but Friday we are completely sold out," Karen Grissom said.

Over at the Embassy Suites on Centreport Drive in Greensboro, there are still rooms available but going quickly.

"Right now it's hard to tell because we're up and down with the cancellations and the bookings. So, during this time it's going to be wild here. It's going to be up and down," Jolan McKiver said. He is the Group Rooms Coordinator.

May hotels are changing their rules during the storm, such as lowering rates and allowing pets. Both McKiver and Grissom are prepared for the effects of Florence to be felt in Greensboro.

"This is the safest place that you want to be, beside the house, because we have food here. We have backup lights and we have the support team here," McKiver said.

They recommend calling hotels directly to try and book rooms, because it's easier to get the most up-to-date information.

"Our phones are ringing off the hook. So, we're very busy. We're just trying to field things, and if we can't get guests in then we're trying to place them in other hotels that might have availability," Grissom said.

There is no timeline on how long some guests might have to stay. Grissom believes the clearing of roads could last into next week.

Stay up to date on the clean-up and aftermath of Florence: