FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla. — If you ask locals, like Steven Hall, they'll tell you that Labor Day weekend on Fort Myers Beach is not very crowded.
"Typically September is our slowest month," said Hall.
And this year, Hurricane Dorian's uncertain path wasn't helping matters.
But then there was a miracle, Dorian started to shift.
It's a change that may actually help businesses this holiday weekend.
Hall, who works at Nervous Nellie's, says he hopes it happens.
"Now we know the path that it's going, so some of the people from Southeast Florida that don't want to go too far can actually come here in a few hours. I'm actually hoping that will help business over the next few weeks," said Hall.
Local businesses aren't the only ones giving thanks for Dorian's shift.
Rachel Barkho, who is visiting from North Carolina certainly is.
"We actually got hit with Hurricane Florence last year and I evacuated to Florida last year," said Barkho.
Her trip, booked way before Dorian, may have now turned into an unintended evacuation.
"I'm not too worried about our area, but the city of Jacksonville in North Carolina did get hit pretty bad last year so I know everyone there is worrying because a lot of houses are still not fixed from the previous one," said Barkho.
Barkho plans to stay in Southwest Florida for at least another week, which will give her enough time to see what will become of Hurricane Dorian.
