First off, I have a confession to make: I'm an editor at the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Can you believe it, a conservative editor?! Yes, we do exist ... in fact, a co-worker of mine was the one who initially turned me on to Free Republic. (Don't paint all journalists with the same brush ... you'd be surprised how many conservatives there really are in our business.)
I'm actually at work right now. I didn't really want to leave my family alone at home, but my wife - a wonderful trouper - insisted that I do my duty for the company. And I feel better knowing that her cousin and his family (who live in Bradenton) and some friends of his will be staying at our house. If my wife and kids had been alone, I wouldn't have gone to work.
We had to come into work at noon, because the affects of the storm are supposed to start appearing around 2 p.m. They wanted us in early so we wouldn't be in harm's way while driving to work. Once we're here, we can't leave. We're stuck through the duration.
... more coming in another posting ...
Hang in there!
It's just sprinkling right now. There's an eerie calm ... literally, the calm before the storm. It's not even very windy - yet.
On the way in, the streets were pretty deserted. I saw residents boarding up their windows with plywood; there was a line of cars at a gas station near our building. It's amazing that gas stations are even open - nothing else is.
I was surprised to see so many people at work, people who willingly left their families and their homes to come here and put out a newspaper that's supposed to hit residents' doorsteps tomorrow morning - whether those doorsteps will be there is another story. It seems like a futile effort, putting out a newspaper in an emergency like this, but journalists love this kind of stuff; they love being in the thick of things, providing all the latest news for people ... we feel like it's our duty, our way to keep the community calm. You might think it's stupid; maybe it is, but this is the nature of the business - always has been.
UPDATE: Winds up to 125 mph in the eye wall ... holy cow!
Our building is on Tamiami Trail, just a few blocks from Sarasota Bay. Yes, we are in a flood zone - 15 feet above sea level. We're having a staff meeting at 1:15 to access the situation. Most likely, we'll be moved to our press plant, which is further north and can better withstand hurricane-force winds.
I'll update y'all, as long as our power holds out. We're in for a long, long ride.
I'm praying ... I know you're praying, too. You people are wonderful.
Hoping that you and your family are safe during this storm. Glad to see that there are some conservative journalists out there!!
We won't hold that against you. LOL!
Stay safe out there! Prayers for you and yours.
Godspeed.
No wonder you find good news! ;) This is a good thing you are doing JJ!
I am so glad you/your family are ok! Please keep us updated on what is happening by you and your family!
FNC ALERT:
PRESIDENT DECLARES GULF COAST REGION A FEDERAL DISASTER AREA AFTER HURRICANE CHARLEY ROARS ASHORE