Replies

It may be a while before we get any news out of Sanibel. As you know if you're familiar with the area, it's kind of cut off from the mainland, something the locals take pride in. Everything I've heard so far indicates that Lee and Charlotte Counties have already taken a large amount of damage. There is currently no emergency service available in Lee, and it won't be restored until the winds die down.

Right now the eye of the storm is over the southwest corner of DeSoto County, about 20 miles northeast of Port Charlotte. Right now it looks like it's coming right to my front door - I live east of Lake Wales in Polk County. I am currently in the process of packing up some of my camping supplies and my pets so I can head to my grandmother's house shortly - her place is a '50's vintage concrete block house and should be fine.

I know you guys are sending the prayers down this way, and I ask you to include me in them as well. Frankly, right now I don't know when I'll be able to post again - depends on whether or not I still have a home in 12 hours or so. God, that sounds so melodramatic and I hate it, but this is the first major hurricane I've been directly in the path of in my 31 years of living in Florida. At any rate, I'll be okay, and if my place gets it, it's just stuff, and stuff can be replaced.

To all Florida Freepers, good luck and Godspeed.