Posted on 08/13/2004 7:24:06 AM PDT by STARWISE
ALL FLORIDIANS, PLEASE COMMENT ON CONDITIONS, ESPECIALLY THOSE ON SOUTHERN WEST COAST
I'm inland from Tampa Bay about 25 miles. Dear God, I'm scared. I lost it all in Andrew in '92 and left South Florida after a year and a half to come to this area.
Please keep me and all those going through this storm in your prayers. I'm alone here, and this storm's probably going to be very damaging and destructive. I'm picking up branches, objects lying about. I've filled the tub with water, I'll bringing in my dog and my birds, I haven't taped the windows as I've heard that can cause worse problems when the windows are broken. I pulled the car right up close to the house on the south side. I've draped the windows with fabric to stop debris or glass .. but in high winds, it probably won't be much help.
I've got old, tall oak trees overhead .. and I don't know how the roof or house or I will fare. There is no inner room without a window, so my location will probably be my shower stall on the south side of the house. It has one typical bathroom window. There is no other place where my dog and I could at least be surrounded with some strengthened walls.
I'm not in an evacuation area, and I wouldn't be able to take my pets in anyway.
Even if I have to get offline because I need to move the computer, there may be some insight and help offered until then and many thousands of us in this area may be helped by some tip.
PLEASE pray Charley away from here .. please pray for my and our safety on the West Central Florida coast. God Bless Us All.
Another poster said North Fork High School is open. They have about an hour to get the hell out. Now they're saying this is a Cat FOUR - 145mph winds - that's 10mph stronger than HUGO - the water is going to pile up at the headwaters of that bay - please tell them to get out and get to a shelter.
My wife made me bring the rabbit in.... LOL. We've got a closet all huddled up with sleeping bags, cards, radio and stuffed animals.
the weather channel has their live crews in the wrong places.
its picked up speed to 20MPH. pressure down to 964mb.
Tell them to at least pack a bug-out bag. Critical papers, three days of clothing, toiletries and especially medications. If they are staying put, have them put their medications in the safest place possible - maybe even put them in ziplock bags and in their pockets.
it would be pretty heartless to make the bunny ride this storm out all by itself! Your wife is a kind soul....
If my wife puts up with me... just KNOW that she's a kind and gentle soul.
Dont look now, but it is a MAJOR Hurricane! Sustained winds of 145 at the eye. This is what Andrew was at right before he hit us. He got stronger just as he made it to shore, putting him into the Category 5, but this storm is reminiscent of Andrew in some ways... I would NOT F*CK With this storm. People need to get the heck out of dodge...
What I don't like about this storm is that it is going to push a lot of water ahead of it, making the storm surge even worse do to the angle it's comming in at. If the storm stalls for a few hours right before land fall the storm surge could be huge 15+ feet. That is a real killer.
Charlie HAS been upgraded to a Cat. FOUR!!!
You just hang in there, your'e going to be fine! There's lots of good prayers coming your way.
You are inland, and that will help you bunches.
PLEASE LET US KNOW HOW YOU MAKE OUT. :)
You're in good shape. Keep the radio tuned to 970 WFLA. Go to Here to track the storm and get updates. Channel 8 is also a good source.
I've been through dozens of hurricanes, which means if you have prepared well, you will be just fine too.
8^)
5.56mm
Just announced---ground level winds now at 145 MPH>
I can't get through, the line is busy. Hopefully somebody else is calling and telling them to get to a shelter, too!
hmmm, oceanview you are right! Change of direction, look out Venice-North Point!
it could hop right across florida, and reform and head up the coast towards the carolinas.
"145 MPH"
OMG!
Rough times ahead... stay safe down there everyone.
just heard the news myself. What a nightmare. Cat 4 winds plus brutal storm surge. I hope people heeded evacuation warnings and got the hell out of the way.
Just talked with husband and we are still somewhat stunned at how lucky we just were.
Starwise I am going to be praying for you all day today and I expect an update by this evening. Keep the dog close to you and keep your eyes on the Lord. I send you love and
cyber hugs.
This one might cause some major damage after all is said and done, perhaps to rival Andrew?!?
True, you can still see the remnants of the damage from Andrew, 10 years later.
The storm surge is definitely a problem with this one. I'm far enough inland to avoid that, although if it dumps alot of rain on us I could get water in the house, we've had alot of rain lately. I lowered the water in the pool a little, it was due for a backwash anyhow. We're concerned enough to have taken all the loose stuff in but we're not boarding up or anything.
The possibilitiy of tornadoes worries me, one has already been spotted as far north and east as Winter Haven.
Although I don't wish Port Charlotte, Venice, Sarasota, et.al. a hit from this storm, a direct hit on Tampa Bay would be devastating, due to the population and density.
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