WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (WGHP) --Hotels in the Piedmont Triad are filling up with storm survivors from western North Carolina.  Many families who evacuated to Winston-Salem said it took them hours to navigate through the destruction, but they’re thankful to have a place to rest, take a shower and have access to food and cell service. “They said, 'If we can get out, get out,'” said Patrick Carter, who evacuated Asheville. Leaving was a tough decision for Carter. His family packed up and evacuated from Asheville. He said it was no longer safe. “We had supplies, but once they ran out, we didn't have any water or anything, so we were flushing ... with the pool water. So it’s been kind of crazy,” Carter said. They made it to a hotel in Winston-Salem on Monday. It was supposed to be a nearly three-hour long drive, but they faced so many obstacles it took them nearly seven hours to get to Winston-Salem. “It was just total destruction,” Carter said. “Everything was washed out. It was really hard to get out of the city because all the roads were just upended and closed.” After arriving, Carter says they faced another challenge: Finding a place to stay. “We're going to stay in another place. It was totally booked ... On the way over, every hotel we saw that we might be able to stay at ... was just booked solid,” Carter said. In Winston-Salem, the Hilton Garden Inn on Creekshire Way is fully booked. The majority of their guests are from western North Carolina. FEMA has also secured rooms there. Home 2 Suites on Marriott Crossing Way has extended stay rooms, and 80% of their rooms are booked. Hotel staff said many are evacuated families. La Quinta Inn & Suites on Griffith Road is where Carter is now staying. It is 70% booked with the majority of the guests from western North Carolina. He was able to find the hotel with the help of a friend living in Winston-Salem. Carter is enjoying the comfort, but in his heart, he knows he won't stay long. He's getting supplies and will start to trek back home into the unknown. “We've got to get these supplies to people. We have people that we know stayed behind that didn't have anything, and they didn't have a way to get out,” Carter said. Carter plans to leave on Friday. Many major roads are reopening, so while he may face some obstacles his trip may be faster.