Bonnie Hits; Florida Braces for Charley (380,000 ordered evacuated)

fox news ^ | 8/12/04

[PinnedAndRecessed]

APALACHICOLA, Fla. — A disorganized Tropical Storm Bonnie (search) came ashore near the central Florida Panhandle on Thursday afternoon, bringing with it lighter-than-expected wind and rain.

By noontime Apalachicola looked as if nothing happened. The sun was shining, the surf was calming with the Bonnie having bypassed the area, heading east.

Meanwhile, some 380,000 Tampa Bay area residents have been asked to evacuate from coastal or low-lying areas because of Bonnie's stronger brother, Hurricane Charley (search). It was the largest such evacuation in the history of Pinellas County, which includes St. Petersburg.

As a strengthening Charley neared southern Florida with 90 mph winds, Bonnie's disorganized center came ahore with winds near 50 mph. Bonnie was expected to bring the possibility of heavy rains and flooding to already-soaked areas of the Panhandle, which was under a tropical storm warning.

The bridge across Apalachicola Bay to the barrier island of St. George remained open. The island was mostly deserted of tourists, though some businesses and restaurants remained open. Owners of many oceanfront homes and businesses decided not to board up windows as the storm approached.

The prospect of the back-to-back storms — the first since 1906 — led Gov. Jeb Bush to declare a state of emergency for all of Florida. Schools and government offices also were closed, and Bush activated the Florida National Guard. The Federal Emergency Management Agency's (search) regional operations center in Atlanta was also put into operation Thursday morning.

[SheLion]

I would think it would have little impact if any on home insurance. It might however have an impact of the person's life insurance!

I think your right. Anyway, they stay at their own risk.

We were stationed at Eglin Air Force Base at Ft. Walton Beach for three years. We came close to having to evacuate once, but didn't have to.

But we were ready to head into Alabama! Far north as we could get. Never had to leave though. But the back yard sure got flooded.

[dandelion]

My daughter is stationed at Eglin, and they're off duty today because of Bonnie - Hurricane Party ahoy!!

Well, not a really rockin' hurricane party... she has to be responsible because she's a "shelter manager" whatever that might be.

She was raised in inland Texas, so I reminded her while she may have seen some storms with more wind and rain (or even tornados) she didn't have the entire ocean at her back door - it's hard to resist the urge to go play in the storm. She reminded me that she belongs to the gubmint now, so if she does something stupid they would be most displeased. (((SIGH))) It's hard to grow up...

If it was me, I'd go outside just to see how it looks.

[Old Grumpy]

I've been predicting for YEARS that this would happen. It was inevitable. But when it comes to constructing more and more buildings, there is no holding back. So this is going to be REAL interesting to see what survives.

[My Favorite Headache]

There is one thing for sure...jobs will be created because of Charley as well as the housing industry and moving industry and home stores etc....all of those insurance checks pumping cash into the economy. Hotels...gas stations...Wal-Marts,Home Depot etc..

That is the light at the end of the tunnel with these things.

[Lorraine]

My daughter and son-in-law are both stationed at Eglin. I'm glad they got the day off. I was going to call her earlier, but figured she'd be working. Thanks to your post, I'm going to give her call.

[Netizen]

We have relatives on the gulf side in North Port, Crystal River, Marco Island, Naples and Bradenton. I would imagine they are going to have a bit more rain than usual.

[My Favorite Headache]

LOL...chance of showers I hear....good kite flying weather possible..hahaha

[Netizen]

Definately! I should call my dad and ask him if he has his kite ready! lol

[nwctwx]

Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley

Key points at this time:

-Major East Coast Flooding is likely during the next 5 days
-Damaging Storm Surge Possible on FL Gulf Coast
-Damaging Winds Likely Across Central Florida

Internet Radio Linking Project
Live WeatherNet/Skywarn Hurricane Information
Live Tampa News/Talk Radio - LIVE STORM INFORMATION

Bonnie is weakening, and will become extratropical over the next 24 hours while dropping a swath of 4-8" (isolated 10"+) of rain from the Southeast US to New England. Flooding will become a great concern in many regions of the East Coast by late Friday and flooding problems will continue until Charley is out of the picture next week.

All eyes are now on Hurricane Charley as it begins to gain momentum south of Cuba. Charley reached Category 2 status with the 2pm EDT advisory and is poised to be the first major Hurricane of this young season. A major land-falling hurricane on the East Coast of Florida could have significant consequences. Today's evacuations are expected to grow to 500,000 in the Tampa area. The time to get out of lowlying areas along Florida's central Gulf Coast is now.

---

Bonnie : Flooding & Severe Weather Likely Along Bonnie's Path
MAX Winds : 40mph - Gusts : -- (1:00pm CDT : Aug, 12)

Statement as of 1:00 PM CDT on August 12, 2004

...Bonnie begins to lose tropical characteristics...but still
producing strong squalls along the Florida Big Bend...

at 2 PM EDT...1800z...the Tropical Storm Warning from Apalachicola
Florida westward is discontinued. A Tropical Storm Warning remains
in effect from east of Apalachicola to the mouth of the Suwannee
river.

---

Charley : Damaging Wind, Storm Surge/Beach Erosion, Severe Weather, & Flooding Along Charley's Path
MAX Winds : 105mph - Gusts : -- (1:00pm CDT : Aug, 12)

Statement as of 1:00 PM CDT on August 12, 2004

...Charley rapidly strengthens into a category two hurricane as it
moves toward western Cuba...

A Hurricane Warning remains in effect for the Florida Keys from the
Dry Tortugas to the Seven Mile Bridge...and for the southwest
Florida coast from East Cape Sable to Bonita Beach. The warning
will likely be extended northward later today or tonight. A
Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected
within the warning area within the next 24 hours. Preparations to
protect life and property should be rushed to completion.

A Hurricane Watch remains in effect from north of Bonita Beach to
the Suwannee river. A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane
conditions are possible within the watch area...generally within
36 hours.

A Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect for the Florida Keys from
the Seven Mile Bridge to Ocean Reef...and along the South Florida
Mainland from Ocean Reef to East Cape Sable...including all of
Florida Bay. A tropical storm watch may be required for portions of
the Florida East Coast later today.

---

Tropical Prediction Center
FEMA Tropical Page
Storm Prediction Center

[Ichneumon]

This storm has SW Fla in a tizzy. You'd think bottled water was hard currency. What did folks do before the days of bottled water?

They bottled, or otherwise stored, their tap water before the storm arrived. I guess that doesn't even occur to folks these days.

[agrace]

McDill AFB and CENTCOM staff are already gone, so my sister reports.

Really? My brother-in-law works at Centcom and he and his family live in Tampa. Wonder if they're heading out.

[Old Grumpy]

Yes, but the devastation after a big hurricane is always pitiful to see, and plenty of jobs will be temporarily lost because of it. I'm really concerned about Tampa General Hospital, out there on Davis ISLAND!

[SheLion]

My daughter and son-in-law are both stationed at Eglin. I'm glad they got the day off. I was going to call her earlier, but figured she'd be working. Thanks to your post, I'm going to give her call.

We were stationed at Eglin AFB back in the 80's.  We lived right on the corner in housing and every time we had a down pour of rain or incoming tropical storms, our back yard would flood.  It was a sandy dirt and no run off.  So, it would flood.  But I sure loved Eglin.  Just beautiful.

And what with Destin Beach there, it is really gorgeous.  Hope your daughter and hubby is ok there. 

[SheLion]

We have relatives on the gulf side in North Port, Crystal River, Marco Island, Naples and Bradenton. I would imagine they are going to have a bit more rain than usual.

I would imagine!!! And what with the sandy dirt, there is no run off. So there is a lot of ponding.

[Rapunzel]

I live inland Florida but in the path as Charley crosses the state and today the DH washed out two 39 gallon garbage cans and filled them with water just in case the power stays off any length of time. This way we will have water for toilets and dishes. Hope the winds I get are not very strong as I am a scaredy cat about high winds.

Plus we have canned goods, batteries,candles, you know the stuff you are supposed to have on hand for living in Florida.

And some more bottled water by the gallons. Xanax on hand if needed. LOL

[dirtboy]

All eyes are now on Hurricane Charley as it begins to gain momentum south of Cuba. Charley reached Category 2 status with the 2pm EDT advisory and is poised to be the first major Hurricane of this young season.

That is not correct. Alex became a major hurricane with sustained winds of 120mph.

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

My father lives on Monte Cristo Island in the Tierra Verde Keys. His home is completely exposed because it's on the water facing west and only 4 feet above sea level. They are expecting a 10-15 foot storm surge so he is taking all his cars up to parking structures at the yacht club and airport. His whole island is being evacuated today.

I just spoke to him and he's pretty sure he will lose everything on the lowest level of his home but what can you do?

[dirtboy]

A major land-falling hurricane on the East Coast of Florida could have significant consequences.

Except that landfall is forecast for the West Coast of Floridah.

Whoever wrote this must have hung a bunch of chads in 2000.

[Old Sarge]

If they live on the peninsula, or ESPECIALLY in Pinellas County, they're almost sure to be gone.

And my sister has dropped off the net; she said she headed out to work in her last email, so here's hoping...

[missyme]

I have been to Indian Rocks Beach very nice, but I have to say I lived in Florida for 5 years and hated it! Great people but the weather is the worst!!

As a native Californian I sure appreciate the warm mild breezy climate of the west...
No Hurricaines, Tornadoes Humidity and Bugs from Hell


Florida has the worst weather in the USA...