[Petronski]

Yikes, where do 380,000 people go?





Hurricane ping.

[taxcontrol]

Self education here.

Under what authority can the state order a person off their property? How can such and order be enforced without a warrant for arrest?

[Pyro7480]

Charley may be a Category 3 hurricane when it hits Florida. This is what it looks like now:

[Loopy Picklefink]

Yikes...glad I no longer live in St. Pete anymore(although I just got back from there this week) My parents still live around there, they just called and said they have to evacuate...they are going to stay with me, here in Orlando, that is, if the other 380,000 people don't have the same idea and clog up I-4!

[backhoe]

When Floyd passed by Georgia 1,000,000 were ordered evacuated, and it was chaos. If the storm had veered inland, many stuck in their cars- in traffic jams- would have drowned.

We refused, and stayed in our 38-foot tall old house which has weathered every storm since 1887- call it a calculated risk.

[Semper Paratus]

My son just called me near Clearwater Beach where he's been staying this week and told me that everybody must clear out.

If Charlie comes near Tampa the storm surge will be over 10 ft and will go clear across every island west of Tampa/St. Pete.

[longfellow]

Hope this doesn't hit cape coral

[Alberta's Child]

I don't understand how the National Weather Service ever saw two hurricanes headed toward Florida at the same time and didn't name them Bonnie and Clyde.

[dirtboy]

Charley is now a strong Cat 2, up to 105mph sustained as of 2pm August 12th.

[Old Grumpy]

We here in Tampa are battening down the hatches! Many folks are being evacuated, but I should be safe where I am. No work tomorrow out here.

[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.

[devane617]

AN EYEWITNESS REPORT HERE: I am located in New Port Richey( North Tampa Bay), about 3 miles inland from the Gulf.

I just returned from buying supplies, and all the store shelves are almost bare. No bread to be had!

WE are supposed to get 110mph winds, so I hope my home can handle it. All roads are JAMMED. I-275 in Tampa, I-75 are to capacity.

I am staying put, so I will post updates to this thread if anyone is interested.

[tutstar]

We've just had tornadoes in Jacksonville, coast is clear for the time being. Man, I haven't had that much adrenaline in a long time!! I'm not looking forward to Charley, I'd much rather have the storm coming from the Atlantic so we wouldn't be in the NE quadrant.

There are some injuries and damage,(one person reportedly taken to the hospital) news crews are on the way.

[Right_Handed_Writer]

Pinellas County Emergency Management:

http://www.co.pinellas.fl.us/BCC/hurrprep.htm

Good discussions as well at www.WxChat.com. It's run by some Air Force Met's.

[Smartass]

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.   It was the largest such evacuation in the history of Pinellas County, which includes St. Petersburg.

Say a prayer for my daughter who lives in St. Petersburg, and is going to ride it out.