[Hoodlum91]

Good thing to keep in mind is the SIZE of this storm. This sucker is larger in area than Andrew and Hugo. Latest reports have hurricane strength winds extending 80 miles from the center. That's a 160 mile radius of hurricane strength winds. Tropical storm strength winds (sustained over 40 mph) extend over 150 miles from center. That's over 300 miles diameter of TS strength.

The forecaster up here (VA) said that Frances is 5 times as big as Charley was when it hit. And Frances still has a day or more over very warm water.

[Law is not justice but process]

Very true. This is the largest storm I remember since Gilbert. Like Gilbert, it is undergoing repeated cycles of eye wall replacement. I guess that is characteristic of these very large storms. I certainly hope it doesn't get as powerful as Gilbert was out in the Caribbean (I seem to recall the lowest measured pressure was 889 mb). I hope that, like Gilbert, it looses much of its strength before coming ashore.

[My Favorite Headache]

The most important thing to look at besides track and wind speed...is the fact that IT WILL BE SITTING ON LAND FOR OVER 24 HOURS IN FLORIDA ALONE!!!!!!!!! Not a quick moving storm at all.

[tutstar]

Whew! I know it! This is one to be reckoned with!