[steve86]

No one here expected the hurricane to hit, the forecasters kept telling us it was going to hit 120 miles north. We were stunned when Charley was upgraded from a low category II to a dangerous category IV just hours before it hit.

That tells the whole story. In this case, some of the "best informed" (i.e. listened to the professional forecasters; apprised of the computer model predictions) were likely among the most bewildered as the rapid turn of events unfolded. Prayers to all.

[Guillermo]

I heard some lady on the news say the same thing...she was howling mad.

Here it comes: Governor and Presidnet Bush failed to warn us. Guaranteed.

[steve86]

An irony is that years ago, as reports came in from Key West of a big storm approaching, people probably would have gotten the heck out of there. Progress.