[Strategerist]

With Charley, they told us that it was going to hit Tampa all the way up to the day before it hit. They missed by almost 200 miles.

OK, I still find this astonishing that people think that Tampa is some insanely huge distance from Port Charlotte/Punta Gorda. They're close to each other.

The actual distance from Punta Gorda to the NHC forecast landfall position in Tampa Bay the night before the day of landfall, was only a little over 50 miles, not "200 miles." Tropical prediction wise, that's right next door.

And given the angle of approach from the SW even the precise NHC forecast track was going to go right by Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte.

It seems to be both media imbeciles, and local residents of Punta Gorda/Port Charlotte that want to blame their lack of preparation on anyone but themselves that seem to have moved nearby Tampa Bay to the far side of the moon, distance-wise.

[Brilliant]

Hmmm... It seems a lot farther when you drive it. Still 50 miles is the difference between a hurricane and no hurricane.

[cogitator]

OK, I still find this astonishing that people think that Tampa is some insanely huge distance from Port Charlotte/Punta Gorda. They're close to each other.

80-90 miles, depending on where you start and finish.