Here we go again, Floridopers: Tracking Hurricane Frances

[ivylass]

I know they still won't have a clear picture until Sept 1 on where this one is going to hit, but it doesn't look good. (http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ftp/graphics/AT06/refresh/AL0604W5+GIF/300858W5.gif)

Well, we all know what to do. Let's get busy.

[TroubleAgain]

Effing hell, I hope that thing goes away. Don't need it, don't want it, make it go away.

[ShibbOleth]

I know they still won't have a clear picture until Sept 1 on where this one is going to hit, but it doesn't look good. (http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ftp/graphics/AT06/refresh/AL0604W5+GIF/300858W5.gif)

Well, we all know what to do. Let's get busy.

Wow, looks like the thing is scheduled to come to your place at 2 am on Sunday. How rude!

I can't even think of a good scenario for this one. Regardless of how it tracks it's going to hit one or more places with people hard during the next week or so.

[Dung Beetle]

Dang!
I am fortunate enough to not have a TV. I didn't even realize that thing was so close.

[ShibbOleth]

Actually it's not all that close yet and will almost definitely go someplace besides where everyone (now) thinks it will go. But it's not too early to start getting ready just in case.

[Phlosphr]

Sooo, Friday is not a good day to go see my brother in South Beach? :rolleyes: Damn Hurricanes, always interrupting stuff!

[ivylass]

It's also my birthday this weekend. We were planning on going to the Gaylord Palms for their Florida festival. I got free tickets because I donated blood, and this weekend is the last weekend.

:(

[Tupug Anachi]

I think we're screwed even if it wobbles, ivylass. The forecaster I listened to this morning said it will have tropical storm strength winds for 200 miles in either direction. I'm numerically challenged but I can do the math. :( I'm praying for it to do a 180. The damn thing is that even if it doesn't come close, it's gonna make things a mess here anyway. People are already wiping out the stores buying their hurricane supplies. Sorry about your birthday weekend. At least I get to have mine in a coupla days. What a crappy present. :(

[ivylass]

It's going more north now...just keep turning east, there, baby, keep turning east.

[vix]

Assuming my flight on Thursday isn't cancelled, I'll be out of town. I hope my apartment is still there when I get back. :eek:

[galen ubal]

*sigh* Here we go again...
Things are heating up around here - I'll tell you folks, hurricane season is not a good time to work at a hotel.
At this time, looks like Frances is going to skirt half the Florida coast (http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ftp/graphics/AT06/refresh/AL0604W5+GIF/300858W5.gif) - if it follows that track (a big if, I know) Ocala will get sideswiped.
And it's my birthday this weekend too, drat it. I'll probably have to work overtime.

[TroubleAgain]

Yeah, we're into "disaster preparedness" mode here, again. So I'm preparing to have backups and media sent to our secure off-site storage. And getting everyone aware of what is expected of them should they close our offices again for any time at all. Keep turning, Frances!

(What day is your birthday, galen? Does that mean you'll be caught up with me again age-wise?)

[galen ubal]

(Saturday the fourth, I'll be 38 - that much closer to Old. :D)

[Tupug Anachi]

Maybe all us September birthdays should blow out our candles in advance and make a wish that the durn thing goes away.

[Dogzilla]

So y'all think I should postpone my trip to Gainesville and paint the bathroom at home instead?

CRAP!!!!

And I took two extra days off around the holiday weekend.

BTW, I missed the Charley thread -- I've lost access to the Boards at work -- are there special rules about hurricane threads or any good inside jokes I should know about?

mumble grumble

At least I didn't throw out all that extra water I bought.

[FairyChatMom]

My baby turns 19 this weekend, and she may get to spend it with us. That is, if Orlando is targeted. We shall fret for the next few days...

[earthpuppy]

Hubby and I are planning a trip to Tallahassee this Friday for the long weekend. Hope we don't have to opt for Plan B instead!

[Hey, It's That Guy!]

Crap, I'm leaving Miami tomorrow to spend the night in Gainesville and go up to Pensacola for the weekend. I have a job interview on Friday, and it looks like Frances will be hot on my trail the whole time.

[LilCutie]

Let's just hope this one doesn't hit FL and mess up the big Labor Day game!!!

All joking aside, I hope this one does turn east and back out into the ocean. Though I don't want it to hit my homeland of Bermuda. They could be washed away! Either way, I do know that Florida does not need another huge one coming our way.

[Johnny Bravo]

Well, Charlie managed to skirt Gainesville by a matter of miles. I'm going to stick my head in the sand and pretend Frances will do the same.

*grumbles about buying yet more hurricane supplies*

[ccwaterback]

Here's a couple satellite images that update every hour:

http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/PS/TROP/DATA/RT/float-ir4-loop.html

http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/PS/TROP/DATA/RT/watl-ir4-loop.html

Frances looks every bit as ugly as Charley. :(

[keturah]

I know the feeling Mr. Bravo I have already wiped out the hurricane beer and crown from Charley where we felt nary a drop of rain. Back to ABC! I suppose I should think about some water and batteries this time.
PS-Hello from another Hogtowne resident!

[ladybug]

There's lots of preparation going on here in West Palm. I've been working ahead on my newsletter so I can send it to press by Friday afternoon, just in case my company doesn't have power next week. My very cool boss already offered to help with the writing if that's what it takes for me to finish before the weekend.

I mentioned in another thread that I'll be at my parents' house up in Inverness this weekend. We'll probably feel some of the effects of the storm there, but not as bad as on the east coast. Right now I'm more worried about what I'll find when I come back on Monday.

On preview ... damn. I just looked at that moving satellite image of Frances. This is not gonna be pretty.

[Cerri]

A report as of 5 PM EDT, dated today.

http://www.wxforecasts.com/cgi-bin/wxforecast/wxforecasts.cgi?forecast=Storm1_Discussion

Initial intensity has been increased to 120 knots. Making frances a solid category four on the saffir/simpson hurricane scale. Since the hurricane is already
this strong. Some fluctuations in intensity are expected during the next 3 to 4 days. And those fluctuations will be controlled in part by eyewall replacement cycles. We will describe them as they occur since there is no skill in forecasting such processes. Nevertherless. Frances is expected to reach the u. S. Coast as a
major hurricane.

[MacTech]

Bloody frell!, what did Florida do to piss off the Weather Gods™?

hope you Floridopers make it thru this one okay, this Vermontidoper is pulling for you....

[C3]

My parents are in Melbourne, so I'm keeping an eye on this one, too. I'm hoping that the CNN predicted course will hold (at least for my parents' sake) and it'll be the Florida/Georgia border. The south edge of the hurricane is always better than the north edge.

Hang tight, guys!

[Sangre Azul]

I was in D.C. on vacation for Charley. A part of me had wished I was here for it - mostly because I was concerned about my family, nearly all of which live in central or southern FL.

I had a night flight back home into Orlando just a few days into the aftermath. It was surreal to see the blackout areas from the sky. But really, now... just because I missed out on the full experience doesn't mean I need a second chance!

At least folks here seem to be certainly taking this seriously. Water was already in short supply at the grocery store.

My parents are taking bets on who will be the first of us to lose power - me in an already stressed suburban area, or them out in the boonies.

[ivylass]

My birthday is Sunday.

This just sucks.

[XJETGIRLX]

My SO is in Orlando and it looks like they're going to get hit - again. They didn't evacuate for Charley because nobody really thought it would hit as hard as it did as quick as it did. You can bet yer ass I'll be telling him to head up this way if Frances doesn't change course soon.

I went down to visit afterwards and I couldn't believe how much destruction there was, even that far inland. I can't imagine how bad it was in the Ft. Myers area. Nary a single tree was left standing in his entire neighborhood, and all the shingles from their roof on one side were gone. There were tarps over the roofs of just about every house, signs down around town, and huge piles of brush, leaves, and branches in front of every house.

When I was there - almost a week later - there were still areas of the city without power. I can't imagine being an employee of the power company there right now. I think I'd try for early retirement!

I hope all of you on the east coast can find shelter in time - and here's to hoping that maybe Frances will pull a reverse-Charley and slow down considerably before landfall.

[XJETGIRLX]

My birthday is Sunday.

This just sucks.

Happy Birthday, Ivylass. Maybe you can celebrate a little early this year. Stay safe!

[Tupug Anachi]

ivylass, it's not looking good for Orlando right now. All the tracks I've checked show Frances heading for us dead on. Mr. Anachi has stocked some supplies, ordered a little battery TV and a couple of fans. Today he's gonna follow a lead on a generator and it would probably be a good idea to get a roof tarp. If Frances hits us, we'll be looking at category 2 winds compared with a weak category 1 when Charley went through. And we may have house guests...a friend who lives in Cocoa wants to evacuate to our house. We're talking three people and two dogs to go with our four people, four dogs, two cats, a cockatiel and a lizard. Whee! :(

[velvetjones]

I've lived in Central Florida since 1968 and Charley was the first time we (orlando area) really got nailed. I can't believe that it's looking like it might happen a second time in a number of weeks.

I didn't prepare for Charley because I was sure it wouldn't really affect us that much. I don't think I'm going to be so cocky this time.

[ivylass]

Ivylad is making ice and we're storing up water. Good luck, guys.

[Dung Beetle]

Well, Charlie managed to skirt Gainesville by a matter of miles. I'm going to stick my head in the sand and pretend Frances will do the same.

*grumbles about buying yet more hurricane supplies*
Ordinarily, this is my attitude as well, but Charley made me believe it might be possible for a hurricane to get me if it really wanted to! Frances is starting to look as if she really wants to. I think I'm going to be scared by Friday. I can't quite believe I'd be hurt, but financially, I can't handle any more setbacks!

[TroubleAgain]

Shit. We don't need this. Now my husband is insisting I go out to the prison he works at with him for this storm. Which means I have to leave my cats at home, and if they let me, bring my dogs with me. Jasmine is a panicker anyway, so that's not a pretty idea.

[ivylass]

Governor Bush has declared a state of emergency for all of Florida.

If you are in the coastal areas of Palm Beach County, or the low-lying areas or mobile homes in Brevard and Martin Counties, you will be ordered to evacuate as of Thursday.

[C3]

My parents are leaving Friday morning for the west coast of FL. I've been through many hurricanes (lived on the coasts of N. Carolina and S. Carolina) and would say that if you may be inclined to ignore evacuation notices or official preparation advice, you should reconsider. Good luck.

[ladybug]

I'm really getting scared now. The editorial directors called an emergency meeting at my office this afternoon and announced that we'll be shutting down at 3 p.m. tomorrow. Here I thought I had two days to meet my deadlines, and it turned out I had about two hours! Fortunately some very lovely coworkers pitched in and helped me finish my issue.

I still have so much to do at home. There's no way to board up the windows or sliding doors in my apartment. The apartment manager said the doors are made of tempered glass and can withstand 100 mph winds, but Frances is a lot stronger than that. My only option is to tape up the glass and secure my valuables the best I can before I leave on Friday. Anything irreplaceable is coming with me to my parents' house.

[FairyChatMom]

The University of Central Florida is closed. My daughter and her roomie are headed to Ocala to hang with my inlaws - they seem to think it'll fizzle out by the time it gets there. I think they're insane... But at least they can take care of each other. I'll worry and fret till it's gone.

Be safe, everyone!

[ShibbOleth]

Just remember, right until the last moment Charley was supposed to make landfall near Tampa Bay and it ended up missing us entirely. Plan for the worst, but hope for the best, and be careful that you don't evacuate to someplace more dangerous than you are. Best buy some water and batteries and foods that don't spoil or really need to be heated.

Best of luck to you all!

[C3]

Best buy some water and batteries and foods that don't spoil or really need to be heated.


I'll second the non-spoilable food. I was in Raleigh during Fran (1996). We were 10 days without power or water (!) and for several days couldn't even walk out of my neighborhood (flooding with downed power lines in the water, plus those huge old oak trees lying everywhere). Potatoes on the grill were our main meal for awhile.

[rocking chair]

frances has really grown size wise, she is really spreading out. it seems like no matter where she comes inland, this storm will be felt a long way out from the eye.

the track they are showing through florida is rather close to the '28 hurricane. that storm came ashore around palm beach and headed to lake okeechobee. it came in at a 4 and hit the lake at a 3. 2 storm surges, one from the ocean and one from the lake. the storm then went to jacksonville and hit there at a cat 1. it stayed a cat 1 past richmond virginia, almost to the west virginia border. it went past toronto as a tropical storm.

no matter how far inland you are, or where you are on the east coast, prepare a bit. hurricanes don't stop on a dime, they take a long time to slow down. this storm will do damage in AND out of florida. get some batteries, fill up some containers with water, think about where you and your pets can "hole up."

[Carm6773]

My best friend was going to move this weekend; notice the use of the past tense.

So, they've already started cancelling school. Any chance we in Hillsborough County will get a 4 day weekend?

Does anyone here remember Hurricane Elena (I was 11)? Didn't she visit on Labor Day weekend too?

[ShibbOleth]

Does anyone here remember Hurricane Elena (I was 11)? Didn't she visit on Labor Day weekend too?

I remember Elena, but I'm terrible with time, dates, etc, so I don't know. It could have been Labor Day weekend, but it seemed later than that. I know I didn't have to work, go to school, just stayed home for about 3-4 days drinking beer and making whoopie. I think I'm about 11 or 12 years older than you. Elena came from the other side, of course, sat off the Suncoast for sometime, then decided to move on up north. If Frances does hit our side of the peninsula I hope she's lost some of her strength by then. It will certainly rain a lot (more than the last couple of days... inconceivable!)

Hurricane trivia question of the day: What is the highest* named storm there ever was and what year was it?

*Like Alice, Bertha, Camille, etc...

[rocking chair]

elena hit sept. 1st and 2nd '85 along ms, al, and nw fl. she was a "cape verde" and a cat. 3 when she made land fall. she did have a good time in the gulf leading weather people on a merry chase before making land fall. as with frances, there was a very large strike zone with elena.

hhhhmmm, trivia question, i'm thinking roxanne... off to check the archives.

[ShibbOleth]

elena hit sept. 1st and 2nd '85 along ms, al, and nw fl. she was a "cape verde" and a cat. 3 when she made land fall. she did have a good time in the gulf leading weather people on a merry chase before making land fall. as with frances, there was a very large strike zone with elena.

hhhhmmm, trivia question, i'm thinking roxanne... off to check the archives.

So, she must have been splashing the Bay area well before Labor Day weekend, then, if she made landfall on Sept 1st. What's a "Cape Verde"?

[rocking chair]

cape verde storms are ones that come off of africa and go around/pass by the cape verde islands. these storms have a long time to strengthen and pack a big punch when they hit land. some of the storms will just wander the atlantic and never hit land because of the distance between the cape verde islands and the caribean islands.

well, '95 was the year of roxanne, the name was retired and replaced (with rebekah)... but it seems we got up to tanya that year. so, on the trivia question i'm going with tanya in '95.

there is a hurricane called " the labo(u)r day hurricane" from 1935. a cat. 5 that hit the keys. it went from a cat 1 to a 5 in about 36 hours.

[Really Not All That Bright]

When I was there - almost a week later - there were still areas of the city without power.
Yes, that would have been my house :(

My birthday was the 20th of last month- the same day we got power back, a week after Charlie. ivylass, I feel your pain.

I'll be holed up at a big old house in Oviedo with some friends and their parents, just like last time- except this time I'm bringing wine and breakfast cereal instead of beer and...er... more beer.

Oh, and my MusiCooler (http://www.keepyourcooler.com/yhst-66244119392384/dumu.html)- a holdall/duffel bag cooler which converts to a regular bag, and also happens to have an AM/FM radio built in!

It was the only thing keeping us sane in our non-air conditioned, non-not-leaking house after the storm last time around.

[ccwaterback]

That bitch has got Cat-5 written all over her. This is going to be ugly, DAMN!!!

[ivylass]

Well, this (http://www.boatus.com/hurricanes/hurricane_spaghetti.asp) is certainly reassuring. :rolleyes:

I would suggest that the next major innovation be better weather forecasting!

[Bosda Di'Chi of Tricor]

Well, this (http://www.boatus.com/hurricanes/hurricane_spaghetti.asp) is certainly reassuring. :rolleyes:

I would suggest that the next major innovation be better weather forecasting!
I dunno. If I read that chart correctly, I'd say there is a 1-in-3 chance the storm will hit the coast, & glance off to sea again, & about a 2-in-3 chance it will plow right through Florida.
Since hurricanes have been known to double back on their own track, I'd say that it is a fair prediction.

[TroubleAgain]

Oh, crap. Just.....crap. I don't wanna do this again! Offices are shut down tomorrow. Our dog has a vet appointment to get some tranquilizers. I'm getting ready to close up the house with the cats in it (mulitple litterboxes and lots of food and water) and take the dogs with me out to the prison where my husband works. That place can withstand just about anything. I will probably be offline for a while before and after the storm, so won't be able to check in with you guys. I will try to call galen ubal after the storm to let him know I'm okay and see how he is, up there in Ocala.

[ivylass]

Not only is this storm twice the size of Charley, it's twice the size of Andrew.

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=519&u=/ap/hurricane_frances_florida&printer=1

There's nowhere in Florida you can go to escape this storm. If you haven't gotten anywhere yet, stay put and hang on.

Shit.

[ivylass]

If you haven't gotten anywhere yet, stay put and hang on.




Actually, I take that back. I am not part of a qualified emergency response team. If they tell you to get, get.

Just check in here so we know you're okay.

[Bosda Di'Chi of Tricor]

I wish my Sister had the smaerts to grab my Niece & her hubby & split for Tennessee.

My Brother, too.

They keep talking about "sitting it out". :smack:
Fortunately, they live in Orlando, inland.

[5que]

Anybody know what's going on in Melbourne? My Sister and Dad are there but I haven't been able to get through to them.

Good luck everyone. I'm a Cracker now living in Chicago, but I went through a number of hurricanes growing up in Jacksonville. It was fun as a kid, at least for a while.

[Sangre Azul]

5que, I live in Orlando, but I'd imagine they are preparing, especially in light of possible water problems. Here (http://www.melbourneflorida.org/advisory/) is a link to the City of Melbourne's advisory page.

[Heppie]

Our office is closing at four today and closed tomorrow. We are heading home to finish putting up the storm panels, clean up a little more and pack our bags. I have reservations is Troy, Alabama and Marietta, Georgia so I have options. We are leaving ASAP, probably in the very wee hours after we catch a few winks. I hafta get hubby to light a fire under the in-laws if they want to tag along. I read that there would be 74 mph winds at the coast by midmorning tomorrow.

I am so outta here!

Tupug, you have my cell #, if you have phone service please call and check in when you have a break.

Everybody go outside, face east and blow real hard.

Yeah, I know... perverts :eek:

[XJETGIRLX]

Safe travelling, Heppie.

My SO is travelling up from Orlando today. He said traffic was at a standstill on the Turnpike. That was a few hours ago. It took him an hour and a half just to go the 43 miles to get to 75. Looks like everyone is trying to get out early. I can't imagine how long it's going to take for those coming up from further south.

[galen ubal]

Nasty, nasty, nasty...
I work at a hotel here in Ocala, in case that's not clear; we've been sold out for the last three days for the weekend. So has the rest of Ocala - in fact, as of yesterday, the closest hotel room was Pensacola or Atlanta.
So it you're a Floridoper, save yourselves some time and aggravation and go as far north as you can handle, or stay in a shelter - there's just no place to put you folks here.
I'll be going into work tomorrow afternoon, and staying for the duration - the boss has got cots set up for employees who volunteer to stay. Not my idea of a fun weekend, but at least the hotel is newer than the duplex I live in - and it isn't underneath about eight live oak trees, either.

Stay safe, folks - get your supplies, find a shelter, and ride it out.

[FairyChatMom]

My baby got to Ocala last night, so she'll be hanging with grandma and grandpa, and I'll be fretting till it's all done. Their house is new, cinderblock construction, and no significant trees nearby. They've got water and food and duct tape, so I hope they'll be OK.

I wish they'd come to visit us...

Everyone stay safe!!!

[Dogzilla]

Just checking in. I'm on vacation now through Wednesday, so I have nothing better to do than to sit around and report on whatever I can find out.

Today, I heard some stupid rumors from some ignorant people at work who are not smart enough to verify the facts before they start spewing misinformation all over the place. That is just so not helpful; I wanted to smack these women. Instead, I put my hard drive on top of my desk, burned a backup CD and popped it into my purse... and went home.


Screw you guys... I'm going home!!

I'm now preparing to hole up. Tallahassee Dopers: Does everybody have a safe place to be? That thing is still going to be a Cat 1 or Trop Storm by the time it cruises through here, y'all. Let's not be stupid and throw hurricane parties and whatnot.

[LilCutie]

I'm now preparing to hole up. Tallahassee Dopers: Does everybody have a safe place to be? That thing is still going to be a Cat 1 or Trop Storm by the time it cruises through here, y'all. Let's not be stupid and throw hurricane parties and whatnot.

But I already have the stuff for a party! I was all set for the match-up between FSU-Miami! *drats!*

Actually, I don't know how scared to be yet. I have some supplies, but I'm kind of worried that I'll have to just sit here in my apartment alone. My roommate tends to not really live here. :(

Be safe everyone! Here comes another round!

Jenny*

[ShibbOleth]

Pinellas County schools are closed tomorrow. Not for the hurricane, per se, but because the refugees fleeing from the East are going to use our schools as shelters. I hope that doesn't mean that Frances is going to go all the way around the bottom of Florida and then turn back and whomp us one. Latest number on USA Today says 2.5 million have been given orders to evacuate.

[swampbear]

Be safe all you Floridopers! This thing is gettin' uglier and uglier it looks like.

[Really Not All That Bright]

Pinellas County schools are closed tomorrow. Not for the hurricane, per se, but because the refugees fleeing from the East are going to use our schools as shelters. I hope that doesn't mean that Frances is going to go all the way around the bottom of Florida and then turn back and whomp us one. Latest number on USA Today says 2.5 million have been given orders to evacuate.
That sound is the noise of several million confused Floridians flushing their toilets all at once ;-)

I have to go to work tomorrow, because Disney sucks.. :( ..but I'm heading for the hills of... er... Oviedo immediately afterward.

Hope Swampy, FairyChatKid, Shibb, ivy, and all you other Floridopers who I'm getting to know much better through these freaking hurricane threads make out okay- and prepare for much whining when I have to sit in a non-air-conditioned house for a week AGAIN ;)

[Sangre Azul]

Seminole County announced mandatory evacuations for residents in mobile homes, manufactured homes and homes in low lying areas beginning at 6pm today. And I'm assuming for those near debris dumps, if they weren't told to leave earlier.

Gas stations are either dry or have hella long lines. A friend just told me the local Albertson's is out of most canned goods. Even some ATMs are out of cash. Insane.

My office is going to be a shelter for any employees and their families who want it. What a way to spend the holiday wekeend, camped out in the cubicles (as the nice offices have huge glass windows, natch). On the plus side, we have an enormous generator for the building and a nice video projector screen. :D

[C3]

Anybody know what's going on in Melbourne? My Sister and Dad are there but I haven't been able to get through to them.


Here's the local paper for the Melbourne area. (http://www.floridatoday.com/!NEWSROOM/index.htm)

Hopefully, your sister & dad have evacuated...I believe they're under mandatory evacuation right now. I know that my parents have boarded up and left. I also have an aunt, uncle, cousin, and grandmother in Melbourne.

I feel very far away right now.

[rocking chair]

i'm glad to see they posted warnings on lake okeechobee. finally! if the storm goes over the lake it will pick up water and dump it. rather like a second land fall with storm surge.

hang on tight y'all.

trouble again, you can't take the cats with you? be sure to mark your house somehow, so if they need to be rescued they can be found easily. a sticker on the door with the kittys location in the house?

[Carm6773]

Pinellas County schools are closed tomorrow. Not for the hurricane, per se, but because the refugees fleeing from the East are going to use our schools as shelters.

Hillsborough County Schools are also closed tomorrow for the same reason.

I only wish my husband (a truck driver) was here. He was here for Charley, but with today being his birthday, we *really* could have celebrated.

Oh well, stay safe, y'all.

[swampbear]

RNATB I am a south Jawja doper. That doesn't mean I don't appreciate the sentiment any less, though. Thanks.

If any of you Floridopers make your way up to the Albany, GA area and have puter access, email me. I'm just above Albany. We could sit around and watch the rain together.

[ivylass]

My SIL and her family and my MIL are coming over here.

I heard the Port of Tampa was closed, so that's why gas stations are running dry.

XJETGIRLX, I was stuck on the turnpike too. It was backed up because everyone was getting off at the Turkey Lake Service Plaza for gas.

But, there is justice in the world! Some idjit was speeding by on the shoulder, past all the cars resigned to their fate. I honked my horn at her in irritation, and then, wonder of wonders, here comes a police car with lights and sirens blaring.

Guess who was pulled over a few hundred yards later!! Take that, you jackass who thinks You're More Important Than Everyone Else.

[rocking chair]

more glad tidings!!

tropical depression nine is moving out of cape verde area. this will be ivan should he get to the tropical storm stage.

it looks like a rather wild hurricane season this year.

[Mehitabel]

Oh no!! Y'all are gonna miss the President's speech live! :eek:

Seriously though, stay safe. Worse we've had this week up here is some assholes blocking commuters in Grand Central this morning, anarchists disturbing the pigeons' sleep in Union Square, and a 2:1 cop/donut ratio everywhere. Puts things in perspective.

God bless you, every one. Check in when you can.

[JRDelirious]

Just spoke to my sister, who lives in Royal Palm Beach (artificial "town" few miles inland from WPB) with her husb., our dad, a teenager and two gradeschoolers. No evac there. They have shuttered up and stocked up. Their home is very recent construction and made with much concrete (but nowhere near the pillbox-like construction of the house I'm sitting in now!) so we're confident it should all hold up well if their area is not hit with the Cat-3-or-above wind level. Her big worry is the west facade faces an open expanse of grassland, and it has a lot of big doors/windows -- and as soon as the eye is north of them the wind will be coming from the west, unobstructed (with the eye to the east, wind will be from the north, where the row of homes, relatively closely spaced, should act as a break). There is time yet for some course changes but it is doubtful they would be enough to spare almost everything north from Miami several hours of sustained TS or hurricane conditions.

We've all been thru a direct upper-Cat-2 hit before (PR, 1998) and this is one show we could live with seeing just once. Brace yourselves and be safe, everyone!

[XJETGIRLX]

LilCutie, I don't think it will be too bad by the time it gets to us, but if it starts to look like it's going to be rough and you need somewhere safe to stay let me know. We're going to have a houseful at my parents' with my brother, his wife, and other friends evacuating from the south and I'm sure we'll have room for one more.

Make sure you stock up on water, at least, and have plenty of gas in your car just in case. For those of you harboring evacuees it would be a good idea to have them purchase an extra container full of gas to take back with them after the storm has passed too.

[ivylass]

I was supposed to go into work today, but with the Turnpike as bad as it is I'm afraid I won't get home. It's not like we have anything critical to do; my department kicked ass and we got all our work done yesterday. My boss even told me to bring a book today to work.

So, I left messages, and if they need me, they can call me.

[FairyChatMom]

My MIL talked with one of her neighbors who is a recent Florida transplant (in a retirement community, of course) - MIL didn't think the neighbor would know how to prepare.

Neighbor said "Well, we have duct tape, but we don't know what to do with it."

Those are the kinds of people who are going to have problems. Hope MIL set her straight.

[rocking chair]

if frances takes a turn and misses you, hold on to your hurricane prep; trop. dep. 9 has been upgraded to tropical storm ivan. he looks like he will visiting in a week.

[Dung Beetle]

Looks like they'll be sending us home from work early today. I post from work so I won't be back til Tuesday, but I'm sure I'll be safe enough here in Gainesville.
Good luck you guys!

[5que]

Hopefully, your sister & dad have evacuated...I believe they're under mandatory evacuation right now. I know that my parents have boarded up and left. I also have an aunt, uncle, cousin, and grandmother in Melbourne.
I feel very far away right now.
Thanks for the Info.

Talked to Dad last night. He is in the hospital (Holmes Regional) but they're staying put since it's a sound building. They may move out into the halls if things get too bad. He's more pissed off about being in the hospital than the hurricane coming (50+ year Florida resident, so he's been through a few).

My sister is at her daughter's house in Clermont (outside Orlando), with her cats, so hopefully it's far enough inland not to be too bad.

Not much makes me want to be back in Florida these days, but this does.

[ShibbOleth]

My SIL and her family and my MIL are coming over here.

I heard the Port of Tampa was closed, so that's why gas stations are running dry.

Why in the name of all that is holy would they close the Port of Tampa already. It's very nice here right now and they could easily get ships out into the Gulf if they needed to or just leave them in the port. Sheesh.

[ivylass]

Ivylad and I were talking about that. If it weren't for weather forecasting, we'd all be dumb and happy, enjoying the bright sunny weather and going merrily about our business.

I remember reading a book set in Charleston after the Civil War. The heroine was caught at her plantation in a hurricane, and as I was reading it I thought, "Why did she make any preparations for the storm?"

:smack:

Maybe in ten years or so they'll figure out a way to dissapate these hurricanes so we can get the rain we need but not the damaging winds.

(ivylass, a big Trek geek, who waits patiently for technology to catch up to Roddenberry's visions..."

[Arien]

So Frances has weakened to a catagory 3 storm, but it has also slowed down. It's not expected to make landfall until Sat. afternoon or evening. I'm in West Palm Beach and a part of me wishes it would just get here already because I'm sick of waiting. Of course I know that some people need the extra time to prepare. Luckily when we bought our house, they included metal hurricane shutters, so we didn't have to get in line and wait for plywood.

Good luck to all the posters in the storm's path.

[Dogzilla]

Why in the name of all that is holy would they close the Port of Tampa already. It's very nice here right now and they could easily get ships out into the Gulf if they needed to or just leave them in the port. Sheesh.

See, this is the kind of thing I was talking about in my previous post. Did you "hear" or do you "know" if the Port of Tampa is closed? And, btw, that's about the stupidest reason I can think of for running out of gas supplies... that's not the only deepwater port in the state you know.

Let's confine our gossip to facts, shall we? If you hear something, think it through. Try to verify and confirm. If you can't, please don't post it.

According to the Weather Channel reporters, gas supplies are running low in central and north Florida (along I-95) for two reasons: 1) some gas station owners boarded up and left. They may have gas. But they're not there to sell it and they turned the pumps off when they left. 2) Some gas stations are holding back gas so the emergency trucks and equipment will have gas available after the storm when it's also really needed.

Now, doesn't that make a whole helluva lot more sense than "They shut down one deepwater port in the state and that's why nobody has gas"?

If anyone can make it up here, since the FSU game is postponed, I'd suggest there's rooms available here and I know there's gas, water and ice because I just went out and bought extra.

Tallahassee Dopers: Be prepared to be without power for a few days. Stock up like you're going camping. I also have room to harbor wayward Dopers who need shelter. I live very near the Senior Center on 7th Ave. and Monroe St.

[ShibbOleth]

See, this is the kind of thing I was talking about in my previous post. Did you "hear" or do you "know" if the Port of Tampa is closed? And, btw, that's about the stupidest reason I can think of for running out of gas supplies... that's not the only deepwater port in the state you know.

Fair enough, although I was reacting to another post. I can't find any info on the status of the Port of Tampa. Just saying it would be silly to close it, or perhaps premature. But there is a lot of "premature evacuation" around here at times. I guess they (the Emergency folks) are in a Hobbes choice sort of situation, but it does seem that the cure here is often worse than the possible disease.

On a separate note, one of the current tracks shows it ending in a Tropical Depression near Lexington, KY. Which I understand is just where the computer model puts it, but who really knows, so why bother to forecast so far out? It could mean a lot of rain and possibly tornadoes in the midwest, or it could just come to nothing.

[Baker]

Oh s--t, ivylass, I just saw your post in the story thread in Cafe Society! I wasn't thinking that you were in Florida, see, and I'd been wishing you'd get into the story.

Stupid me. You take care of yourself, you hear? As my mother would say, "This is your mother speaking!" When it passes let us know if there is anything we can do for you.

And that last goes for any Florida Dopers in the path of Frances.!

[Sharky]

The real-time wave height, wind speed, and tide height data from these stations should be very interesting over the next 24 hours:

Offshore Data Buoy 120nm east of Cape Canaveral (http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=41010)

Offshore Data Buoy 20 nm east of Cape Canaveral (http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=41009)

Pier Station, Lake Worth (West Palm Beach), FL (http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=LKWF1)

Shore Station, Settlement Point, Grand Bahama Island (http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=SPGF1)

[ivylass]

We're still here. It's getting a bit breezy outside.

Our coffeemaker is on the fritz. Ivylad is braving the roads to get a new one. We're supposed to be buttoned up in our house by 2pm today.

[ladybug]

I originally planned to leave West Palm yesterday, but my bosses called an emergency meeting on Thursday morning and told all of us to clear out by noon. So I got to leave a day earlier than I'd planned. Good thing, too. I got stuck in that bumper-to-bumper turnpike traffic. It took me 14 hours to get to my parents house in Inverness! (It usually takes me just under four hours.)

I almost ran out of gas at one point, too, because all of the stations were sold out. Very scary. Fortunately the Turkey Lake service plaza still had gas available. I had to wait on line for about an hour, but I was able to fill up. I didn't get home until 3:30 a.m. Friday. By that time I'd been up for 24 hours, had barely eaten all day and was absolutely miserable. I don't want to go through anything like that ever again.

We're under tropical storm watch here in Inverness, but I'm better off here than in West Palm. The weather's actually pretty nice here right now. We should start getting some rain and wind later this afternoon.

Right now our biggest worry is my grandmother. She never takes these storms seriously, and she refuses to leave her home. She thinks my mom can just drive over and get her if the storm gets really bad! And my older sister, who is autistic, is not taking this well at all. She's absolutely terrified of hurricanes. We keep trying to reassure her that we're safe here, but I can tell she's panicking already.

Well, it looks like almost all of Florida will be drenched by Frances this weekend. Stay safe, everyone!

[ShibbOleth]

Hold on tight and don't forget your water wings out there. Mrs. Shibb has taken the kids south to Sarasota today (it's her sister's birthday anyway) and I am staying here in case any hatches need battening down. Weather forecast here is for some moderately strong winds and lots and lots of water, mostly in rain form.

Good luck to all my FloriDoper brethern, sistern and cisterns! Also anywhere else this big ol' girl decides to frolick!

[Arien]

Argh, the power went out! I was hoping it would stick around for a lot longer. My laptop battery is only good for about 80 more minutes. I think I'll eat the ice cream in the fridge to cheer myself up.

[ShibbOleth]

Argh, the power went out! I was hoping it would stick around for a lot longer. My laptop battery is only good for about 80 more minutes. I think I'll eat the ice cream in the fridge to cheer myself up.

As a professional, I can assure you that this is the absolutely correct thing to do in this situation.

[Arien]

Thank you, Shibb0leth, you don't know how reassuring that is. :)

[Sangre Azul]

I've heard Winter Park gas lost power, but here in Altamonte Springs (all outside Orlando), it's quite calm out.

I have the TV on for tornado watches/warnings, but am getting sick to death of the "local dumbass on the coast who has stayed behind now wants to walk around outside" stories.

To quote one: "we're here to improve morale... doing lots of high-fives... and help people who don't have the proper tools.... I have a leatherman..."

Absolutely amazing.

[Sangre Azul]

er, that's Winter Park has lost power...

[Carm6773]

As a professional, I can assure you that this is the absolutely correct thing to do in this situation.

Shibb, have you heard what a local radio station suggested as a joke? They "suggested" that anytime someone says the phrase "hunker down", down a shot!

That should make Frances more bearable..

btw, HUNKER DOWN!

:D

[ShibbOleth]

Shibb, have you heard what a local radio station suggested as a joke? They "suggested" that anytime someone says the phrase "hunker down", down a shot!

That should make Frances more bearable..

btw, HUNKER DOWN!

:D

Well, I haven't heard anybody in the media yet tell me to "hunker down", but if I had a shot I'd do it in your honor. I just was at an Irish bar watching the USA dismantle El Salvador, 2-0, and did have 3 pints of beer. Perhaps that counts for something.

In all seriousness, please hunker down, dear! (Waits for Carmelita to do a shot) ;)

[Carm6773]

In all seriousness, please hunker down, dear! (Waits for Carmelita to do a shot) ;)

:cool:
Thanks, I needed that.

Seriously, everyone stay safe. My best friend and I went out for lunch earlier today (since I was supposed to help her move today). When she got home, one of the feeder bands had knocked her power out and she had a palm frond in her front yard.

Frances is a nasty broad, and she's getting pissed.

[bittersweet]

It's 7:30pm and there have been gusts and rain here and there. We have a large downed tree branch in our backyard, but that's about it. Something tells me though: Tampa Bay isn't getting off as easily this time...

Stay safe everyone!

[Sangre Azul]

Ugh. 12 hour tornado watch for the east central counties. I've never experienced a watch for that long.

[Bambi Hassenpfeffer]

The real-time wave height, wind speed, and tide height data from these stations should be very interesting over the next 24 hours:

Pier Station, Lake Worth (West Palm Beach), FL (http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=LKWF1)
"Station failed." :eek:

I'm not overly concerned here, because we've been through worse (with little damage) than this, but my customers today, yesterday, and the day before were all a little freaked out. I work in the grocery biz, and over the past three days we've done almost as much in sales as we usually do in a week. We sold through 22 pallets of water (4 gallons per crate, 45 crates per pallet = 3,960 gallons) in approximately 4 hours. Absolutely insane, and of course, my job these three days was to run the cash office, meaning I had to count every single penny worth of sales we made in those days. My only consolation is that we closed early tonight and that we are not open tomorrow.

Just time to wait and see. Orlandoans and Ocalans, watch out. This one is heading straight your way.

[ccwaterback]

I just saw a graphic on CNN that said Frances is roughly the size of Texas. :eek:

[ccwaterback]

Well let's see, we get about a week to recover, then we have to deal with Ivan. :smack:

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_astorm9+shtml/050318.shtml?

Let's hope he isn't related to Ivan the Terrible!!! :(

[Baker]

ccwaterback, are you in a safe enough place?

[ccwaterback]

ccwaterback, are you in a safe enough place?

Well I'm in south Pinellas county (St. Pete), it's not supposed to be too awful bad here, but you never know. I am expecting a lot of rain, so I parked my car in the highest spot I could find near my apartment. I suppose I could lose power for awhile, that will be the biggest hassle, but I'm all set for whatever may happen. As long as my windows don't get blown out, and my car doesn't drown, I will feel good about the whole ordeal.

Thanks for asking, I appreciate it. :)

[Archergal]

You guys be careful down there!

And Ivylass, happy birthday, even if it isn't the best of times.

Archergal, who also has a birthday today

[Really Not All That Bright]

Dave The Roommate and I are refugees again. No damage to the house (except rising damp in the rear wall) but we don't have power. No matter, we're at a powered friends', and I have a giant bottle of Bombay Sapphire and an equally large bottle of tonic.

My worst injury is a hole in my foot where I stepped on a large screw pre-storm. I'll live.

Good luck everyone!

[ivylass]

We lost power twice, each for about 12 hours. It went out about 8am Saturday, came back about 8pm Saturday, went out again at about a quarter to ten Saturday night, and came back this morning at about 8. I think we're through the worst of it. My SIL and BIL are going home to check on their animals, and we're going to take my MIL home. She never lost power (grrrrrr).

I tell you what, I was about ready to French kiss the electrical socket when the power came back on. Our trellis fell over, but that was about it.

My sister is in Tampa, and she doesn't have power.

I am done "hunkering down!" ;) I'm going to take a shower.

[ivylass]

My worst injury is a hole in my foot where I stepped on a large screw pre-storm. I'll live.



Get a tetanus shot as soon as you can.

[ladybug]

OOK! Ditto what ivylass said, RNATB. That sounds really painful, and it could cause an infection.

This is my fourth day at my parents' house and I'm starting to get cabin fever. Yesterday, when we started getting tropical storm force winds, the 'rents headed out to the new house they're building to make sure it was secure (did I mention they're insane?). The wind lifted mom almost completely off the ground at one point. She says it means her diet is working. :)

We're just getting the worst of the storm now. Originally I'd planned to head back to Palm Beach County today, but think I'll be here for at least another day yet. I seriously doubt my office will be open tomorrow. Even if it is, my boss told me last week to work from Inverness until it was safe to come back. Judging by Ivan's predicted path, it looks like I might be right back here next weekend.

[fishbicycle]

Hope everyone is safe and making do as best they can. 88.9 FM in Tallahassee went off the air in the middle of a storm briefing at 9:15, so that source of information is out until the engineer can get to the transmitter to assess the problem. However, they are still streaming on the web at http://wfsu.org if you have power and need to know the latest.

[fishbicycle]

Please disregard my earlier post, the station is back on the air as of 10:20.

[ccwaterback]

We're getting our butt kicked here in St. Pete this morning, today is MUCH worse than yesterday. Lots of wind and rain going on, my lights have flickered and actually went out for a few seconds, but so far, so good.

I went out for a drive this morning, dumb, but my apartment is real sheltered, I didn't think it was too bad out there, until I got out there. All the gas stations around here that I saw had their pumps turned off, no gas. I managed to find a half gallon of milk, but you can forget about finding any bread. Hopefully tomorrow we can start cleaning up, and supplying up, before Ivan stops by.

[ShibbOleth]

We're getting our butt kicked here in St. Pete this morning, today is MUCH worse than yesterday. Lots of wind and rain going on, my lights have flickered and actually went out for a few seconds, but so far, so good.



Yes, much worse here today. My power is out, I drove down to Largo this morning to my folks because they have power so I brought the more expensive items from our freezer. Power went out sometime between 6 am and 7:30 (times I woke up and looked over at the clock). Bayshore Blvd in Tampa is underwater, downtown Tampa is flooded, most creeks and other water sources are at flood level or higher. Lots of strong rain and some wind, but not as bad as it could be. Oh, Shore Acres (NE St. Pete) is well flooded.

Mrs. Shibb and the Shibblets have been down in Sarasota/Venice area since Friday noontime. They're itching to come back home but it's obviously not time yet. I'm guessing no school in Pinellas or Hillsborough tomorrow. Work should be interesting.

[Bambi Hassenpfeffer]

And this (http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ftp/graphics/AT09/refresh/AL0904W5+GIF/061453W5.gif) is next up on our hurricane roster. If this one slams us too, it's gotta be some kind of record for hurricane hits in a small timeframe.

Downtown Tampa is underwater, half a million (out of 2.3 million or so) in the Bay area are without power, "Acidic, radioactive water spills into bay (http://www.sptimes.com/2004/09/06/Hillsborough/Acidic__radioactive_w.shtml)", all in all, it's just a mess.

[Bambi Hassenpfeffer]

Forgot to add: if you want to see pictures of what's going on, go here (http://www.sptimes.com/2004/09/04/galleries/index.shtml). That's our largest local newspaper, and they've got some good shots of the damage around here.

[Really Not All That Bright]

Get a tetanus shot as soon as you can.
Got a booster shot last month, and it didn't really break the skin, more separated the bones in my foot. I have very thick soles.

On a happy note, power is back already, unlike last week when we waited a week.

[Carm6773]

We lost power from midnight-4AM on Sunday, then from 8AM Sunday until 1:40 Monday afternoon :eek:. People just down the road from us never lost power :confused:. My Mom has COPD, and right now she is practically married to her nebulizer (sp?).

Other than the power being out for that long and having to throw out some food, our other problem is the patches of wet carpet we have along some walls. I have no idea where the water came from (yes, I know, the rain, but how did it get inside?). Who do I contact, the builder or the insurance company?

We also have a tree leaning like this: /.

BTW, I grew up about 15 minutes south of where that acidic water is. Cargill (the phosphate company) has been bad news for the environment for as long as I can remember.

Off to use the Shop-Vac .....

[Tupug Anachi]

Just got our power back and I sure hope it stays on. Yeah, we had the generator so were able to run some lights, the TV and the fridge, but, Florida is really sticky and smelly without AC.

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY, IVYLASS!!!

I have to tell you I think Frances was much scarier than Charley. First of all Charley went through in about an hour and it was night time. Frances was mostly in the daylight and hours and hours and hours! :eek: We have a clump of 60-foot oak trees in our backyard that you could actually see lifting the ground up. They are going to have to go. They are still reporting an incredible amount of tornadic activity.

I'm afraid we'll go down with the count if Round 3 (Ivan) gets here.

[ShibbOleth]

Good to see most of the regulars checking in. How are the Panhandle Dopers doing? It's calmed down around here and isn't even raining right now. The Southern expedition portion of my family is cleared to cross back over the Sunshine Skyway bridge. I'm sure it will still be breezy. Haven't found out yet if the power is back on at the condo.

Carmelita, I heard a couple of "hunker downs" on the news last night and had warm thoughts for you (but had nothing that I could drink shots of). I think that they both came from Polk County. We Pinellasans don't so much hunker as we do cower.

[Carm6773]

Carmelita, I heard a couple of "hunker downs" on the news last night and had warm thoughts for you (but had nothing that I could drink shots of). I think that they both came from Polk County. We Pinellasans don't so much hunker as we do cower.

I heard it too, but because of the lack of power, I couldn't go into the fridge and get anything to drink :(.

No school for kids in Hillsborough, but teachers and staff have to report :smack:.

Be safe, y'all.

Happy Belated B-day IvyLass!

[fishbicycle]

Hi, Panhandle Dopers. Hanging in there? Good. At 4:42 it has all but stopped raining for the moment, and is only a bit breezy. I'm checking in from work at 88.9 FM, where we went off the air again, during the storm briefing - same as what happened during the 9 AM one! The engineer has gone back to the transmitter. We're still on in Panama City on 89.1 and streaming on the web at http://wfsu.org with live news on the hour until at least 6 PM. Decisions will be made at that time on whether to continue into the evening.

[Carm6773]

We're still on in Panama City on 89.1 and streaming on the web at http://wfsu.org with live news on the hour until at least 6 PM. Decisions will be made at that time on whether to continue into the evening.

Speaking of FSU, did you hear about Bobby Bowden's grandson and former son in law dying in a vehicle crash?

Here's the article. (http://deathbeeper.com/4491021.html)

[ShibbOleth]

No school for kids in Hillsborough, but teachers and staff have to report :smack:.




Any news on Pinellas Schools?

[Carm6773]

Any news on Pinellas Schools?

No school in Pinellas, but I don't know if teachers have to report.

[Baker]

Glad to hear our Dopers are ok! Hope Ivan the Terrible turns out to sea.

[ivylass]

Kids have school tomorrow (private school) and my MIL's Dish satellite has been knocked off kilter. It will be at least a week before she has TV again.

I'm off to work tomorrow (I think).

If Ivan hits I think I'm going to cry. Really, just sit down in the middle of the floor and cry. I have found I'm really addicted to electricity.

[Johnny Bravo]

It's been raining for a good 36 hours here, but things haven't been too bad overall. Glad to hear that you more southwardly dopers are doing all right.

[milroyj]

My parents have gone missing. :(

Originally, they were supposed to start driving from Chicago to Tampa on Friday, arriving on Saturday. When it became apparent that wasn't exactly feasible, they delayed their trip to leave on Sat and arrive on Sun. Or possibly hang out in their hotel in TN and wait another day, which would still put them there sometime today. I called the inn they are supposed to be staying in (they don't take possesion of their new house until Friday), but there was no answer. Maybe there's no power, or something, I don't know. I called my brother, and my aunt, and they haven't heard anything either.

I hate hurricanes.

[ivylass]

Oh, milroyj, I'm so sorry.

If it's any consolation, I think your parents are fine. They may be just without power now. Hang tight, and try again in a couple of hours.

We're here.

[milroyj]

Oh, milroyj, I'm so sorry.

If it's any consolation, I think your parents are fine. They may be just without power now. Hang tight, and try again in a couple of hours.

We're here.

I'm sure they're OK too, it's just a little scary. Thanks for the kind words, I appreciate it.

[fishbicycle]

milroyj, in the last press briefing I heard, the spokesman for the Emergency Services team said that there were six million people without electricity in central and south Florida. I'm betting that your parents are fine, and that they are just in a place where there is no power. My thoughts are with you, but it's hopefully a situation that you shouldn't get worked up over. They would call you if they were able, right? Hang on, crews are out and working around the clock to restore services.

[XJETGIRLX]

Glad to hear everyone made it through without major incident. My brother and his wife came over to Tallahassee from Jacksonville. They went back this evening. When they got there they discovered that the units adjoining their apartment had their roofs caved in. Their unit didn't sustain any damage, but everyone from their next door neighbor on down is without a roof. There wasn't anyone at the management office and everyone in their block was gone, so they've decided not to stay there and are looking for somewhere to spend the night

Here in Tally the storm wasn't nearly as bad as I'd thought. We lost power a few times yesterday and today, but it was back on within a few hours. All the local schools and state offices are closed tomorrow, except for necessary personnel, but I have to go into work :(

[ccwaterback]

You know it's bad when ...

I stopped by McD tonight and got a cheeseburger and a coke. Just then they locked the doors. I asked the manager why they were closing, they were obviously very busy. He said they ran out of supplies!!!

[harmless]

Yeah, it's quiet right now.
Last I saw on the weather channel before the cable went out was that the worst of the tropical storm was headed right for us.
According to tdo.com (http://www.wunderground.com/auto/tallahasseedemocrat/tropical/tracking/at200406_sat.html) it looks like it's past us.

[ivylass]

My brother and his wife came over to Tallahassee from Jacksonville. They went back this evening. When they got there they discovered that the units adjoining their apartment had their roofs caved in. Their unit didn't sustain any damage, but everyone from their next door neighbor on down is without a roof.

Holy cow! Good thing they weren't there...they would have fainted from fright!!

[Baker]

Where is Ivan supposed to be tracking now?

[ivylass]

Ivan (http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ftp/graphics/AT09/refresh/AL0904W5+GIF/061453W5.gif).

Now, before everyone freaks out, this storm is still several days away, and anything could happen. Let's just keep an eye on it for the time being.

Really, though, I will cry. I will kick my heels and throw a tantrum to shame a three-year-old denied a lollipop. Three hurricanes in a month is four too many.

[C3]

I just got in touch with my parents. Everyone's fine. Some minor damage to their house, but easily fixable. Charley had cleared out most of the dead branches on their trees, so they didn't have that to worry about. My mom did say that all of the leaves have been completely stripped off all their bushes.

I think Ivan's going to scoot around south of Florida. That's based on absolutely nothing except wishful thinking.

[ShibbOleth]

In case of problems with communications: well before my power went out, I lost my phone signal (cell) at my house. My guess is the nearest relay tower took some damage. This can often explain when you can't reach someone, phone lines or cell towers down, or even mobile phone battery ran down and nowhere to recharge.

[bittersweet]

milroyj, will you pleeeease let us know when you get ahold of your parents? In the meantime, I'm sure many dopers are sending good thoughts your way.

In my area of Tampa, we lost power from 1am to about 8pm Monday; not so bad, considering. Just a lot of downed branches, and a few trees. In fact, I'm about to go clean up the front yard in a few minutes!

To all you Panhandle dopers: STAY SAFE!

[smartini]

All you Floridopers, I am thinking of you...my mom, who lives in middle Georgia, had a huge oak tree blown down last night. I am not complaining and neither is she...it just really hits home what you guys must be going through with this kind of force a whole state away! I am glad you have this link to each other.

Speaking of Georgia, I see Florida tags all over when I go out. FYI, it is supposedly (sorry I don't have a cite) a declared disaster situation here in Georgia also specifically to make price-gouging over hotels, etc, illegal. If you hear about that happening to anyone, tell them to report it.

Good luck! We are hoping for the best for you guys here!

[TroubleAgain]

Checking in, folks. Kitties fine, house fine. Fence blown all to hell, but "frankensteined" back together. Power came back on Monday morning around 0900.

[Sangre Azul]

Surveying the damage at my condo complex in Altamonte Springs (outside Orlando), I have to wonder at the wisdom of some folks parking directly under oak and pine trees that were already half-fallen over from Charley. :dubious: Needless to say, there are a few flattened cars (and SUVs) here.

Worst ain't over for some folks, though - flooding will continue throughout the week as everything drains into the rivers and lakes.

[bittersweet]

...I have to wonder at the wisdom of some folks parking directly under oak and pine trees that were already half-fallen over from Charley. :dubious: Needless to say, there are a few flattened cars (and SUVs) here.

Yeah. Unfortunately, some people think it's smart to park their vehicle under a tree, hoping it'll get flattened, then file an insurance claim to get a new car. (Those are the people that really piss me off.)

[Sassafras]

I had to evacuate Friday ( Ormond By The Sea) but my Brother decided to stay home at the last minute. Thank goodness, because he saved my house from flooding! It wasnt actual flood water- the rain was pelting the back door so hard that water was coming in all around the door frame! That door faces the beach and is normally protected by a fence, but the fence that was left after Charley is gone now as well...
Anyways- finally was able to get back home yesterday after they opened the bridges to the beachside. Doesn't look too bad over here- I was at a friend's in DeLand and it's WAY worse over there. Of course , I have no power again. Lost it for 4 days after Charley and now FPL is saying they won't even have ESTIMATES of when it will be back on until Thursday. This is miserable and expensive and I will slit my wrists if Ivan heads this way.....

[ladybug]

I finally made it back to Palm Beach County this afternoon. I didn't have any damage to my apartment, but I'm so glad I wasn't here for the storm. Two huge trees in my parking lot are uprooted. One of them, about four or five feet in diameter, ripped up the cement curb, too. There are trees down everywhere, and pieces of the roof are scattered all over the ground. It would've scared the hell out of me if I'd been here!

milroyj, I hope you get word from your parents soon. I'm sure they're fine. I tried calling my mom this afternoon and I couldn't get through to either her home number or her cell phone, even though they were both working. A few hours later I got through without a problem. It's possible you haven't heard from your parents because of problems with the power/phone lines.

[Revtim]

Wow, did that suck. I had to sleep in my safe room, the bathroom. For the first time in my life, I was passed on on the bathroom floor, and there was no alcohol involved.....

I was lucky, it just ripped the shit out of the screen of my patio, and knocked down some fence. The association will fix the fence, but I'll have to pay for the screen repair. Not a big deal.

If I have time, I'll try to pick up a disposable camera and take some picks of the neighborhood and post 'em. If uprooted trees are your thing, you'll love it.

Driving blows, most of the lights are down and the simple concept of "treat the intersections like a 4-way stop" are beyond most people's comprehension. Fucking idiots.

Everything's up, even my cable modem internet service, except my phone!

[milroyj]

milroyj, will you pleeeease let us know when you get ahold of your parents? In the meantime, I'm sure many dopers are sending good thoughts your way.STAY SAFE!

Update: I got an email from my aunt in Ft Myers, my parents arrived safely, and no damage to their house, just some trees down on the golf course, as if that matters :rolleyes: Thanks, guys, for the support, it means a lot.

[Wile E]

Since this thread was topped I will mention that I just got back today after being offline for about a week. I lost power for 36 hours on Sunday at 11am and finally got it back on Monday night at about 10:30 pm. At least my refrigerator got a much needed cleaning. No other damage, lots of neighbors with broken trees and branches but my trees only dropped a few small branches. Apparently camphor trees are quite wind resistant.

I was offline longer than necessary because when I got my power back I discovered that I had been infected with a trojan/worm/spyware prior to losing power and it took me several days to get the computer usable again.


I hope you didn't worry too much about me, it's hard to tell because someone seems to have deleted all the "Where's Tiramisu?" posts. :p