DUBLIN, Ga. — Tropical Storm Debby has arrived, and more rain is on the way. and the rain is coming.
People have been driving to Dublin this week to find shelter from the storm, while others decided to head home early after an interrupted vacation.
Christi Broom is a mother who vacationed on Amelia Island with her extended family. She thought they would have one more day of vacation, but decided they needed to leave early after checking the weather radar.
"Different store owners were putting sand bags at the doors and we could tell that people were preparing (for the storm)," Brooms said.
Hotel Owner Phil Patel is preparing for guests. He said he goes the extra mile for his guests at the Hampton Inn & Suites.
He also says having these guest not only helps him but also helps the city of Dublin. He says most of his guests live near Georgia and Florida.
"We have about 60% of our occupancy for the next couple of days from people out of town," he said. "It could be due to the storm, but a lot of times when we look at reservations we see Florida or Savannah or gulf coasts area."
Patel said he feels sad for his guests when these tropical storms happen.
"It's a sad situation," he said. "When this happens to people, we try to make it a home away from home from them. We go out of our way to do little little things."
He said he doesn't charge guests when they cancel their reservations. He said he cares more about their happiness than their money.
Cracker Barrel is another Dublin business packing in travelers from the storm. Naya Waters works there and says it feels like home.
"We are a place that a lot of people like to stop in general," she said. "Because we are on the way of the main exit, we get a lot of traffic. They stop by to eat or get a gift."
Waters says business is booming at the Dublin store from people escaping the storm.