[mhking]

FYI: There is a NEW tropical depression in the eastern Atlantic near the Cape Verde Islands. TD 4-E is moving to the west at 24 MPH, it is anticipated to become TS Danielle later today or tonight. If it holds together, it would not enter the Caribbean for at least five days.

I'm listening to live streaming from HurricaneCity.com -- Jim Williams is streaming live audio from NewsRadio 970 WFLA in Tampa, and will have other information on later today.

WFLA radio has a live stream itself at http://970wfla.com/, NBC affiliate WFLA-TV has audio streaming on a number of radio stations (and associated websites), including WVRM-FM Tampa (http://949online.com/).

Cable news channel Bay News 9 streams it's audio at http://baynews9.com/

And ABC's digital/broadband service ABC News Now is streaming live video of Tampa ABC affiliate WFTS as well. ABC News Now is available on digital television, on a number of digital cable systems, on the RealOne Gold Pass service, and on your system portal page if you have broadband service from Comcast, AOL, BellSouth, or SBC/Yahoo.

[grellis]

Prayers to all Floridians, especially my FReeping friends. Keep us posted whenever possible.

[Camachee]

Cheer up, SW. I'm here in Orlando bringing in the patio furniture and making bags of ice in case of loss of power, which is almost a given. I've been surviving hurricanes since '62 in Miami and I expect I'll survive this one, as well. So will you.

As for the weather, it's been gray, but calm here all morning. But looking out the window now, I can see the oaks and palms starting to move a bit, so I suspect the curtain is rising on this event.

Stay calm and safe, SW. Try to relax and enjoy the awsome majesty and might of what's about to happen. Not everyone gets to experience a big storm like this and I, for one, intend to be out in it, camera in hand, enjoying the moment. Take care.

[mhking]

Per WFLA NewsRadio in Tampa, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have announced that Saturday's pre-season game with the Cincinnati Bengals will still be played, provided there is not major damage to Raymond James Stadium.

[Paradox]

I lost it all in Andrew in '92 and left South Florida after a year and a half to come to this area.

Good luck to you! I survived Andrew in my house, which went through the northern eye wall (the worst part of the storm). Miraculously, no one was hurt, although the house was a total loss.

If I were you, I would consider evacuating. I would never want to go through anything like that again.. Stay safe friend!

[Siouxz]

Prayers for you and your dear pets. My sister and her family are in New Port Ritchey and are battening down the hatches. My mom is supposed to be moving from Ohio down to Venice next week. Now we wonder if she'll even have an apartment to move into. Also, all her furniture is in storage down there. I have an elderly aunt and uncle in North Port who have left their *YIKES* mobile home to go to the east coast.

Lord, we pray for all the people in Charley's path. Keep them safe from harm and protect their homes. There are many elderly people on the Gulf Coast, and I'm sure they are very afraid. Please calm their fears and comfort them during this very trying time. In Jesus' name, Amen.

[Right_Handed_Writer]

Been through tornados, never a 'cane. And for every need there is a prayer:

HURRICANE PRAYER: O Heavenly Father, all the elements of nature obey your command. Calm the storms that threaten us and turn our fear into praise of your goodness. Protect us from hurricanes and disasters of nature. We pray through Jesus Christ, your Son. Amen

Stay safe...

[A2J]

As a native of Louisiana and veteran of Camille and Andrew, I can tell you that Charley is NOTHING in comparison.

Hang in there, it'll be over before you know it.

[STARWISE]

Would you be so kind as to put this in a side column - activism or breaking -- so people can see it and report? Many thanks, Star

[Old Sarge]

I lived in the Disney area until four years past. My Demented Sister and her brood live outside Tampa, in the Brandon area. She's been emailing me, since the DSL is still up.

She went dark an hour ago, though. Just until the worst is past.

Judging from where yur area is, you'll be in better shape. just stay tuned, and stay informed. There are a lot of FReepers holding out for you!

[Brytani]

Starwise,

I'm in Homestead and believe me, the thoughts and prayers of the people here is with you all today.

[TXBSAFH]

I know what you are going thru. In 8-83 I went through a force 3 hurricane called Alicia in Houston. I was even in the eye. it is no fun but this is nowhere as bad as Andrew. Good luck. God Bless.

[snooker]

Kerry is running ads every 15 minutes or so at break times on the local Ft. Meyers hurricane info channels. Never seen so many Kerry ads. No Bush ads.

Bush better not do what Bush 41 did with hurricane Andrew. Kerry will step right in and take advantage of the situation. I hope Bush is coordinating with Jeb.

This hurricane looks like it's for real. The 11 AM prediction is cat 3 with landfall right in the middle of populated areas. 2 million have evacuated already.

[SheLion]

God be with you and your pets, Starwise!

You will be ok. I know it's frightening, but put your trust and faith...........you know............

If you can, keep us updated on the computer. That will give you something else to think about. Unless the power threatens your PC.

Keep your chin up and your head down!!!!

[musicman]

Starwise, I'm in Daytona Beach. Our house is the sixth house
from the A-1-A. The ocean is maybe 800 ft or so from my house. I'm as ready as I can possibly be for the storm, and it sounds like you have prepared also.I wish you well.

I have lived here since 1977, and rode out a few of these storms.It isn't fun if the electric goes out, so make sure you have some non-refridgerated things to eat, and if you have a battery radio,and maybe a cell phone,you would still
have access to the "outside world".We will be praying for you also.

If you still have electric, and can post on this thread with
any updates from your area, it would most certainly be welcomed by other FL freepers,( and it would let us know you are OK.)

The nasty part will arrive in Daytona Beach between 9pm Fri-8am Sat.We are expected to get the North-East part of the storm,which they claim isn't much fun. My wife has a laptop(2 batteries,and a portable power scorce) w/ a Sprint satellite PCM-CIA card that works
pretty well in a couple of power outage storm situations that I have tried it in, and was able to get on FR.

I will try to post on THIS thread when it starts to "rock-n-roll" here in Daytona, in hopes that the Freepers north of me will
get a "heads up".

Again Starwise,we will be praying for you !! You really aren't "alone".

[TomGuy]

[MplsSteve]

According to Pinellas County (St Petersburg and Clearwater), they are closing all the bridges to the barrier islands at 11AM Eastern Time.

Here's the link:

http://www.clearwater-fl.com/news/news_detail.asp?item=511

[kruelio]

I'm visiting family in Palm Harbor, about 5 miles from shore, and am very excited that Charley is going to pass overhead. I've always wanted to lean into hurricane winds like the reporters on TV. I'll be out there with weights on so I don't get too blown around. :-)

we're up high enough that we don't have to worry about the 15' storm surge, but we will have to look out for flash flooding. I don't think it will be too bad, though.

I have a cousin in Clearwater, less than a mile from the beach and she's staying. They have to wear name tags so that officials can identify them should something bad happen. Their condo is made to withstand 150mph winds, and it's been around for decades so they should be fine.

[Dick Vomer]

Punta Gorda is just grey with a light breeze..... we're hunkered down and playing with the kids. We're 10-11 ft above the high water mark... let's hope they're right about the storm surge.

[The Wizard]

I'm the little town of Hernando today, south west of Ocala....The Publix here was open at 6 am and the parking lot was packed even now.....

This is Citrus County, there are no "D" cell batteries in the county....