[Howlin]

I do NOT know; I have big trees, yes.

I wasn't here during Fran, but I don't think it will be that bad, do you?

How high were the winds in Fran?

[NautiNurse]

One good thing you have going for you--the ice storm the other year took out a good number of bad trees.

Fran had gusts 70+ at RDU.

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Fran had 80 MPH winds but some areas had tornadic winds (near 200 MPH). It hit at 9 PM and "howled" all night - did not fly through - as it appears Charley has done. All night I prayed - Lord, Jesus!!!! please spare us! And He did...and all those in my family. We all lost trees but no one had damaged homes. This time - well - this is just too eerie.

But thousands of homes were split in two by the trees down in Fran. The damage took 2 years to clean up. Then Floyd hit. Similar but not as bad.

When I walked around my dad's neighborhood it looked like an atomic blast had struck. I was in shock. No power for about 2 weeks for him. (Powerlines not buried like ours are). It was God's mercy that spared his home and those of my siblings.

But this time - it is just too eerie.

Unless God has mercy again and pushes Charley out to sea!!! Let's pray for that!

If Charley brings 50-60 MPH winds to our area - major tree damage will occur and that means major home damage will occur. If Charley brings 80 MPH winds to our area - it will be devastating again - just like Fran.

And Floyd's winds were only 40 -45 MPH if I remember right and we still lost a big pine tree....so even winds that low will wreak some havoc.

I may evacuate....esp if the winds "howl" like they did before - don't think I can endure that again!

[mwp99]

Fran's last reported hurricane force winds came as it passed RDU. That was a fun night.