[snapperjk]

So true. Interesting about Charley approaching the coast on Friday was that 1 of the 3 major TV stations in the Tampa Bay area, Channel 10 (CBS), was forced to evacuate their entire complex at 11:00 AM. Dick Fletcher, the chief meteorologist tried to stay back but was forced out also. They had to go off the air for short time and had set up a makeshift studio across from the county crisis center. On the other hand, no commercials aired for many, many hours and the dollar cost to call up every employed and freelance reporter to get a story is pure expense.

[spoiler2]

Like yourself, I am not a meteorologist, but would you perhaps agree that this storm made the hard right turn, due to influence from the prevailing jet stream?

Once caught by the jet stream, Charley followed the exact path of the stream, all the way up the coast.