Locals preparing for and escaping from Hurricane Irma

The clock is ticking for those in the path of Hurricane Irma to get their homes prepared or get out of her way.  

We spoke to people from the Baltimore area who are being proactive about their safety.

One couple has a home in central Florida and have been working to get it ready. The other, a student at the University of Miami, made his way out of South Florida as that area braces for a potentially historic storm.

"We bought wood in Baltimore because they ran out down here. When we got here there were people who were already starting to board," said Leah Boyd.

People three hours south in Miami  have been ordered to board up, stock up and get out. We caught up with one student heading north ahead of Irma.

"Miami is forcing everyone including the university to take shelter and so it's very distressing!" said Maxwell Mwray of Harford County.

Some people are dealing with long lines at the airport, but others are getting out just in time. 

"I was very thankful that I have friends in Gainesville I'm going to head there, I'm going to stay with them," Mwray said.

He made a good decision as shelves are cleared and water supplies dwindle.

"They've let everyone know well in advance that it's coming and so I was actually at the grocery store very hard to find water, very hard to find bread," he said.

Some airports in Florida like Orlando International have canceled all flights after 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Major attractions and famous hotels in south Florida have shuttered and boarded up as they wait for Irma.