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This is a redacted blog entry I just received from my sister, living east of McDill AFB near Tampa:

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Today is thursday--Charlie is not supposed to hit till late tomorrow afternoon. Left for walmart at 7am today--with my list of how to survive the camping thing. No water at walmart, no batteries, no flashlights and no propane tanks. Got all my groceries there. They are about out of everything. then went to home depot for the lamp oil and batteries and propane..SOLD OUT!

Went to winn dixie--no parking space anywhere. So went to walgreens and found the batteries and lamp oil--the time is now 10:20am thursday and (husband) is still out looking for propane.

I have to work from 1 to 10:30 tonight. (Friend) worked at publix till after midnight last night and they called her in at 8am today. The stores have lines a mile long and the shelves are going empty quick.

(Daughter) has decided to stick out the hurricane at her house by herself. She has to be on hospital staff all day tomorrow. I told her to put up her patio furniture and anything else out side. She will come her after work today to pick up some food and candles and batteries. (Son-in-law) is in Kiwait (sp) having a fit. I told her to pack up her papers for (Son-in-law) and the cats and get out of there and she won't do it.

Sarasota just announced that they have MANDATORY evacuations not voluntary. McDill is now empty and CENTCOM has moved. Our evacuations and school closings will be at noon. (Husband) just got back and got the propane..Found it at Sports Aurhority.

Have to duct tape the windows tomorrow. Gotta pull out trash cans and flower pots and anything else laying around outside. Have to tie down the furniture on the porch. Super shock the pool for water to wash. I can always boil it and use it to cook with if I have too. We should be fine unless a tree falls on the house. the worry we have!

(Daughter) needs to make up her mind--if she stays she might not be able to get here later with lines and trees down.

Laptop and cell phones are charged and ready too. I'll keep in touch as this gones on. (Son) is not going to the courthouse tomorrow but (Daughter) has to work..Hopefully she will come home early. I (thank God) have off friday.

My brother lives between Fort Myers and Naples. He's in-land far enough that he probably won't have to worry about storm surge.

He went to Publix yesterday morning and got some additional water and food. He said the stores were busy yesterday morning...because at that time, it looked like Charley was gonna come ashore near them.

He has a portable generator at home so he won't lose power. And yes, he's armed too. He's says you can never be too prepared in case the brown fecal matter hits the fan.