Atlanta's Air BnB availability is shrinking ahead of Hurricane Irma, the devastating storm that's projected to roll up the east coast of Florida and Georgia in coming days.
The site indicates that just 12 percent of Atlanta inventory is available for bookings today through next Thursday.
"We recommend booking a place soon," the site suggests.
MORE: Live Hurricane Irma updates
Clay Snider owns five Air BnB properties in Midtown. His phone started ringing Tuesday night with travelers seeking accommodations.
"It’s just been non stop," he said. He's now booked with a total of 20 guests, most of whom he thinks are probably driving.
"They are all coming from Florida," he said. "One is bringing an elderly relative, stopping to pick them on the way."
Snider, a designer who became an Air BnB host last year, prides himself on keeping his properties clean, stylish and ready for guests. This week he's gone even further, adding air mattresses and stocking the kitchens with snacks.
"We want to accommodate as many people as we can," he said. "A lot of these are families, so an Air BnB with a kitchen and everything is a comfort."
Credit: Jennifer Brett
Credit: Jennifer Brett
The metro area is preparing for a potential crush of temporary guests.
The AJC's Steve Burns reports that Atlanta Motor Speedway, which is accustomed to handling thousands of campers for NASCAR events, is opening those facilities free of charge for people seeking temporary refuge from Hurricane Irma.
Evacuees will have free access to hot showers and restroom facilities at the Rinnai Shower Station camper bath house.
Hotel rooms along I-75 are swiftly filling up, the AJC's Alexis Stevens reports.
Gov. Nathan Deal issued a state of emergency for six coastal counties Wednesday afternoon: Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Glynn, Liberty and McIntosh.
Essentially none of the Tifton's 1,200 hotel rooms are left, Haire said, and both of the city's Walmarts have run out of gas, the AJC's Ben Brasch reports.
