CHARLEY BECOMES A (CATEGORY 4 Now!!) HURRICANE (18 ft. storm surge)

NHC ^ | 08-13-2004 | Forecaster Lawrence

[Joe Brower]

You know it. The power companies have been staging out-of-state help in picking up Charley's pieces since yesterday, as I recall. Good thing, too -- I have a feeling they're going to be sorely needed!

[gathersnomoss]

Correct. Hugo hit on a Thursday and our family drove in with relief help from Richmond on Saturday.

That was a sight that I will never forget.

[who knows what evil?]

Apparently they still miss John Hope.

Agreed. John Hope knew his stuff when it came to hurricanes.

[dixie sass]

We are prepping here in Charleston. Will be back over water in a matter of hours. Praying for relatives and friends on the western side of Florida.

[f zero]

Latest Images as of 2:45PM I had to host it myself, the site myst be super bussy! this was where I got it: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/radar/latest/DS.p20-r/si.kbyx.shtml

[FeliciaCat]

"Storm Surge" NOW on Santibel Island....

[BobS]

It's not so hard to survive. Get on some high ground and lay flat to the ground, like I did during a tornado in Kansas. Stick your fingers in your ears for the decomopression, so you stay awake. You'll get hit by iceballs and rain and get dirty, but it doesn't last long.

[ApesForEvolution]

All bets are off now...turn in course is not lessening impact of storm surge on Sanibel...

[R. Scott]

When the fringe of Isabel hit us last year it wasn’t even at hurricane strength and she did a lot of damage. With all the rain we’ve had this last month - and from Bonnie - we could loose a lot of trees, power lines and buildings because the ground is so soaked. We’re bound to have a lot of flooding too. Last year I watched the mandatory evacuation line move up the street toward me. It stopped at the light half a block away.

[nmh]

Yeah, we all need a laugh once in a while or otherwise it would be fairly dull.

Taks care.

[Dr Snide]

this thing is all over the place, who knows where its going to end up.

Does anyone know if it keeps going N. without making landfall could this SOB get STRONGER before eventually hitting land?

[maggief]

Let's pray Charley doesn't skim the entire FL gulf coast.

[hawkaw]

Hope the best for them that the surge is not too high and they all survive.

[Pyro7480]

See my post 478.

[dfwgator]

Sarasota could be in trouble.

[ApesForEvolution]

I'm praying it SSW to Mexico...

[MplsSteve]

My brother lives in San Carlos Park, a little south of Fort Myers. I imagine he's getting bumped around a bit.

I've been on Sanibel Island before. I can't possibly imagine what the rain, wind and storm surge must be like now.

[ApesForEvolution]

Crystal River ring a bell?

[gopwinsin04]

Local newsroom evacuated.