I'm about four miles inland. Sky is currently totally overcast, with some light to medium rain and wind gusts picking up steadily. Wind and rain have definitely increased from half an hour ago.
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.
I'm about four miles inland. Sky is currently totally overcast, with some light to medium rain and wind gusts picking up steadily. Wind and rain have definitely increased from half an hour ago.
Thanks for the update. Keep us informed as long as you can and stay safe!
The first northern rain band just crossed in Marion County. Sky darkening rapidly, moderate rainfall.
Orthodox_Presbyterian had to evacuate the area. Anyone heard from AAABEST? He's somewhere in south Florida.
prayers for everyone.
Four miles inland. Rainfall is coming down much heavier now than it was half an hour ago, and the wind has increased as well. Gusts are going up to 25 mph.
WHOOPS! The power just died! Nope -- it's back again!
Gotta love the uninterruptable power supply. Looks like the fun is starting...
Hang in there! Is this thing going inland or just going to run up the western coastline?
Everyone seems to be over on the other thread. My inlaws live near you, they wouldn't evacuate.
Yeah. I have a second browser open on that one which I refresh occasionally.
Until the power goes out, that is.
Actually I forgot, you are in Venice, they are in Nort Port. But still pretty close. Venice is nice, so is Englewood.
I hope Freeper Dick Vomer is all right. He was talking about being in Punta Gorda, close to a canal and 10 ft. above mean high tide with wife and kids. Charley is headed right at him.
Where is the other thread, Netizen??
I forget, was he going to evacuate or not?
Thank you!!! :)
You bet!
Smartass - Say a prayer for my daughter who lives in St. Petersburg, and is going to ride it out.
Loopy Picklefink - My parents still live around St. Pete , they just called and said they have to evacuate...they are going to stay with me, here in Orlando
FrankWild - Just called my uncle in Indian Rocks Beach, five miles south of Clearwater. Nobody home. I guess everyone is evacuating.
My Favorite Headache - I am in Brevard right now but going to stay with a friend in Plant City, 25 mins outside of Tampa Bay...
GOPJ - This time we're leaving and hoping our home is safe when we return.
Old Grumpy - We here in Tampa are battening down the hatches! (outskirts of Temple Terrace) and feel safe . One of my daughters is in Riverview and the other is in north Brandon and we all feel fairly safe.
Old Sarge - My sister is in Brandon.
Netizen - We have relatives on the gulf side in North Port, Crystal River, Marco Island, Naples and Bradenton.
agrace - My brother-in-law works at Centcom and he and his family live in Tampa. Wonder if they're heading out.
Hillary's Lovely Legs - My father lives on Monte Cristo Island in the Tierra Verde Keys. He has been evacuated
devane617 - I am located in New Port Richey( North Tampa Bay), about 3 miles inland from the Gulf. I am staying put
NautiNurse - My dear cousin, who spent all afternoon boarding up my home just south of St. Pete, is still intending to stay at his home in St. Pete during the storm. I will be bugging out this morning.
PinnedAndRecessed - I have family in Tampa.
BureaucratusMaximus - wife has family in Hernando County (north of Tampa...Brooksville
Joe Brower - We've battened down the hatches here in Sarasota country (Venice, to be exact), and we're just waiting for Charley to arrive
dawn53 - We're in Tampa Bay area. Hubby is on the Emergency Management Team so he won't be here at home, but we're boarded up.
I still care - evac area D in Pasco.
Dubh_Ghlase - My homes south and west side are looking right at this monster. And having gone through the eye of Hugo, Fran, and Isabel, I have no problem going over-board (excuse the pun) in preparing for this event.
Ovrtaxt - I'm in Odessa, about 10 miles inland from Tarpon Springs. exrtreme NW corner of Hillsborough. Afterwards, if you guys don't hear from me, it's because I'm flying out Sun afternoon for 10 days. I'll try to stick around until then, but if the power and cable goes out, I may not have net access.
JamminJAY - Jammer – ST Pete.
Tunehead54 - We're in Dunedin - We're 3 miles inland
Kewz1 - My sis lives in Tampa and folks just north in New Port Richey!
Bobwoodard - I'm watching the Bay from my apt and heading out before manadatory evacuation
Flipyaforreal - Cape Coral
MinuteGal - I'm leaving for the drive to Florida early tomorrow morning. A Freeper who lives in Pasco county freepmailed me last night that all subdivisions and homes west of US 19 are under mandatory evacuation. This includes my house.
Luigi - I've been busy since first light securing everything. Hoping for the best, preparing for the worst. Where you located? I'm about five miles east of Sarasota Bay.
M Kehoe - We're making final preparations too. Stay safe. We are in a zone D, in N St. Pete
AAABEST - Just brought in all the patio furniture.
small_l_libertarian - I'm in Tampa, about 2 miles north of downtown and 1 block from the river. I'm staying put. Wish me luck!
JesseHousman - We're in Naples, 1 1/2 miles from the gulf. We'll be thinking of you today!
G-dzilla - SE St. Petersburg. I'm staying...
Snake65 - My brother and his wife were evacuated from St. Pete. They're sheltering with my parents in Sarasota (8 miles inland and about thirty feet up).
Rum Tum Tugger - I'm also in Tampa, but up in Carrollwood Village. If I were one block from the river, I wouldn't be there. Good luck.
Snowy - I have in-laws 6 to 7 miles from the water in Sarasota. My mother-in-law is 'defecating masonry' right now.
GatorGirl - Were you able to get water? Everyone is out around here. I have some and I'll fill the bathtubs in the morning.
Severa- Hubby is watching this from NAS Pensacola...I've got family in St Pete, Ocala, West Palm Beach, Miami, and Palm Coast...
Piasa - I'll let you know when the water gets up to my neck... unless a tree gets me first.
Rwfromkansas- uncle in Hudson north of Clearwater.. No doubt he is gone.
Rapunzel - I live inland Florida but in the path as Charley crosses the state
RightField - My parents have a mobile home in Largo. They are currently in far-western North Carolina, but driving to Tallahassee tomorrow to stay with my sister
Sheikdetailfeather - sister in Lake county
Tubebender - My niece and her husband Leesburg
nwctwx - Ocala. My mother is there
Howlin - I have friends in Tampa and St. Petersburg, plus New Smyrna Beach
Cogitator - I have some friends that have a house right on the Intercoastal Waterway facing Treasure Island
dandelion - My daughter is stationed at Eglin, and they're off duty today because of Bonnie - Hurricane Party ahoy!!
Lorraine - My daughter and son-in-law are both stationed at Eglin
valleygal - My dad's in the Panhandle.
Humbug- 45 miles east of Tampa
EX52D - I have family in Ft. Myers...getting nervous...
Dog - I have family in Bonita Springs....a kid brother.
Constitution Day - My dad's brother is in St. Pete
Marak - We are in Marco Island, Florida.
4ConservativeJustices - Several members of my family are in St. Pete and surrounding area. Lakeland ain't good - I have family there as well.
commish - I have a good friend who owns a golf and Tennis center on Sanibel Island.
nuconvert - I have family in Ocala area.
MineralMan - I have in-laws in Cape Coral.
boxerblues - brother who is in Mulberry/Lakeland.
vabeachrepub - I just got off the phone with my parents in Naples. Raining heavily but the wind hasn't gotten too bad yet and they still had power - although it has flickered several times. I wish they had left yesterday when they had the chance.
TxBec - I know a couple folks in the area.
nmh - My husband's sister is terminally ill and living with her husband in Fort Myers. They chose to not evacuate.
cupcakes - Prayers for those in Florida and my best friend who is in St. Cloud. I went through Andrew--don't wish that on anyone!
angcat - Land O lakes. I have family there?
maggiefluffs - friends in Bonita Springs and Naples
clamper1797My Lady is in Naples Fl. right now ... shes not answering her cell phone
pctech - A friend of my son and his family are down there, but I don't know exactly where. All I know is that they are on island. gulp...
dglang - I'm in Longwood Fl
jayef - My sister is riding this thing out in Bradenton. I must say that I am not to pleased with her decision.
dfwgator - dad in Orlando
IndyTiger - college friend of wife is seriously ill with cancer in Ft. Myers
shattered - My uncle is in Bradenton also. Prayers :)
Dont_Tread_On_Me_888 - I am in Longwood also (Wekiva).
dixie sass - Praying for relatives and friends on the western side of Florida.
MplsSteve - My brother lives in San Carlos Park, a little south of Fort Myers. I imagine he's getting bumped around a bit.
dukeman - I live in Sarasota County
pegleg My sons riding it out in St. Pete also. He ignored a mandatory evacuation notice from his apartment complex. He thinks he's safe because he's on the 3rd floor.
STARWISE - I'm inland from Tampa Bay about 25 miles
silverleaf - have friends all along the Gulf Coast
Cricket24 - I have relatives down there
TheCPA - I am here in Brandon
'Camachee – I’m here in Orlando
Siouxz - I have an elderly aunt and uncle in North Port who have left their *YIKES* mobile home to go to the east coast.
4everontheRight - I have a friend who lives in Tampa...on Richmond Place.
kruelio - I'm visiting family in Palm Harbor, I have a cousin in Clearwater, less than a mile from the beach and she's staying.
ekyjim - I'm watching this with much interest, as my mother and sisters live in Polk County
Dick Vomer - Punta Gorda
The Wizard76 - I'm the little town of Hernando today, south west of Ocala.
MIKEinGA - My Father-in-Law lives on Siesta Key
hemogoblin - Right smack in the path in Sarasota.
CobaltBlue - Tonight is our last night in a rental house on Grayton Beach, 10-15 miles east of Destin, halfway between Pensacola and Panama City
kitkat - My daughter and her family are there, too. She just moved and I don't have the address or phone number. You better believe I'm praying.
ExSES - Sitting here about 20 miles NE of Orlando on a lake
DocRock - Winter Haven - Checking in.
Lifacs – Relatives in Springhill, Brooksville, Clermont, Lady Lake, Ocala, Old Town, Williston. I’m the only one that lives south of Tampa, in Palm Beach County.
It looks like the eyewall will just miss them to the south. But there still was probably a fair amount of surge up their way as the hurricane pushed water up and around it as it is moving up Charlotte Harbor now.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.