# Here we go again, Floridopers: Tracking Hurricane Frances **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 31, 2004, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-we-go-again-floridopers-tracking-hurricane-frances/262414 "2004-08-31T14:08:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2004, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-we-go-again-floridopers-tracking-hurricane-frances/262414/121 "2004-09-06T20:01:50Z")
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. **Carm** elita, 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. ---
**Author:** ![Carm6773](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/2bfe46/32.png) [@Carm6773](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carm6773)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2004, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-we-go-again-floridopers-tracking-hurricane-frances/262414/122 "2004-09-06T20:30:35Z")
> [@ShibbOleth](#): > > **Carm** elita, 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!** ---
**Author:** ![fishbicycle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aeb1de/32.png) [@fishbicycle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fishbicycle)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2004, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-we-go-again-floridopers-tracking-hurricane-frances/262414/123 "2004-09-06T20:44:47Z")
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](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. ---
**Author:** ![Carm6773](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/2bfe46/32.png) [@Carm6773](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carm6773)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2004, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-we-go-again-floridopers-tracking-hurricane-frances/262414/124 "2004-09-06T20:54:10Z")
> [@fishbicycle](#): > > We’re still on in Panama City on 89.1 and streaming on the web at [http://wfsu.org](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) ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2004, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-we-go-again-floridopers-tracking-hurricane-frances/262414/125 "2004-09-06T20:57:53Z")
> [@Carm6773](#): > > No school for kids in Hillsborough, but teachers and staff have to report :smack:. Any news on Pinellas Schools? ---
**Author:** ![Carm6773](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/2bfe46/32.png) [@Carm6773](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carm6773)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2004, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-we-go-again-floridopers-tracking-hurricane-frances/262414/126 "2004-09-06T22:52:55Z")
> [@ShibbOleth](#): > > Any news on Pinellas Schools? No school in Pinellas, but I don’t know if teachers have to report. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2004, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-we-go-again-floridopers-tracking-hurricane-frances/262414/127 "2004-09-06T22:57:18Z")
Glad to hear our Dopers are ok! Hope Ivan the Terrible turns out to sea. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2004, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-we-go-again-floridopers-tracking-hurricane-frances/262414/128 "2004-09-06T23:36:30Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2004, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-we-go-again-floridopers-tracking-hurricane-frances/262414/129 "2004-09-06T23:39:30Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![milroyj](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@milroyj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/milroyj)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2004, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-we-go-again-floridopers-tracking-hurricane-frances/262414/130 "2004-09-06T23:55:40Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2004, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-we-go-again-floridopers-tracking-hurricane-frances/262414/131 "2004-09-07T00:03:23Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![milroyj](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@milroyj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/milroyj)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2004, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-we-go-again-floridopers-tracking-hurricane-frances/262414/132 "2004-09-07T00:15:35Z")
> [@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. I’m sure they’re OK too, it’s just a little scary. Thanks for the kind words, I appreciate it. ---
**Author:** ![fishbicycle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aeb1de/32.png) [@fishbicycle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fishbicycle)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2004, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-we-go-again-floridopers-tracking-hurricane-frances/262414/133 "2004-09-07T00:26:59Z")
**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. ---
**Author:** ![XJETGIRLX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9fc29f/32.png) [@XJETGIRLX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XJETGIRLX)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2004, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-we-go-again-floridopers-tracking-hurricane-frances/262414/134 "2004-09-07T00:38:54Z")
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 ☹ ---
**Author:** ![ccwaterback](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@ccwaterback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ccwaterback)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2004, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-we-go-again-floridopers-tracking-hurricane-frances/262414/135 "2004-09-07T00:41:21Z")
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!!! ---
**Author:** ![harmless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/2acd7d/32.png) [@harmless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmless)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2004, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-we-go-again-floridopers-tracking-hurricane-frances/262414/136 "2004-09-07T00:46:49Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2004, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-we-go-again-floridopers-tracking-hurricane-frances/262414/137 "2004-09-07T01:14:13Z")
> [@XJETGIRLX](#): > > 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!! ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2004, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-we-go-again-floridopers-tracking-hurricane-frances/262414/138 "2004-09-07T01:16:48Z")
Where is Ivan supposed to be tracking now? ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2004, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-we-go-again-floridopers-tracking-hurricane-frances/262414/139 "2004-09-07T01:38:02Z")
[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. ---
**Author:** ![C3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/c3/32/3108_2.png) [@C3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C3)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2004, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-we-go-again-floridopers-tracking-hurricane-frances/262414/140 "2004-09-07T01:46:59Z")
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. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-we-go-again-floridopers-tracking-hurricane-frances/262414.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-we-go-again-floridopers-tracking-hurricane-frances/262414.md?page=8)