I have family in Florida and in North Carolina. I’m worried about them.
Be safe everyone.
Frankly I’m hoping it does track west enough to cancel work…I could use a 3.5 day weekend…
Amen on a day off or two.
Down in Ft Myers. Will no doubt get a bit of rain and maybe some wind, but not really a threat barring a major change in direction.
You think that’s bad, I could have bought a ton of T-shirts in on Bourbon Street for my fiancee. I really should have bought one. I mean, how often do you get a chance to buy a T-shirt that calls your SO a bitch and not get in trouble?
No danger here, either. After sitting through Irene and Sandy in upstate NY, I’m glad to be back in a desert where any hurricane is no longer a hurricane and just some wanted rain. But I’ve got family and friends potentially in the path, so I’m paying attention.
Anyone in southern Florida might want to prepare for a double whammy. One forecast model (video) has it making a big loop and coming back again. Or maybe Earth is just going to have a permanent Great White Spot.
I’m on the west coast of Florida; I’m hoping for the best but expecting the worst. I don’t plan to leave though; I’ll just ride it out.
People living in Merritt Island and other barrier islands in Brevard County must evacuate starting at 3p today.
The roads are going to be a NIGHTMARE.
A co-worker’s wife apparently tried to get gas at 3 different stations…each were bone-dry.
Ms. Cups bought some water/chips/PB&J/bread etc. yesterday.
Other than Hermine a month or whatever ago, I’ve never actually been through a hurricane. Maybe that’s why I’m the only one that’s not worried…
Apparently, several gas stations in coastal Georgia areas are also running out of fuel. I don’t know whether the pipeline break in Alabama last month is still throttling the local supplies, but I’m glad I filled gas cans and topped off the truck’s tank yesterday. A lot of evacuees from Florida and South Carolina are heading to Georgia, so I expect supplies to be limited for a bit.
The latest forecast shows the storm slowing down, and lingering on the Florida coast longer - that looks ugly. But maybe it also means that the kids’ homecoming plans won’t be rained out, and just maybe we can stay dry long enough to celebrate my brother’s wedding Saturday evening.
Nine helicopters arrived here in Grand Cayman from the U.S. Southern Command in Honduras yesterday to begin staging for any relief efforts in Haiti. Our usually relatively tranquil airport now has Chinooks, Blackhawks, and Super Stallions lined up along with about eight fixed wing aircraft all awaiting further orders. Quite a sight. Hopefully today they can move on to Jamaica to stage closer to the need.
I’ve not seen it mentioned much, but looks like Nassau is right in the projected path. They are the next major population center in line once it has passed over a couple smaller Bahamian islands.
Broward County (South Florida, east coast) checking in here. We’re under a hurricane warning.
I’ve lived here for 30 years, and am used to the drill. I have shiny new impact windows and doors, and a good roof I’m also inland Broward, which helps quite a bit.
I’ve had my food supplies stocked for the season - I only had to top off my perishables. I have 15 gallons of gas stored in proper contains, and my generator works. I have about 2 and a half propane canisters for my grill. I have a fully stocked wet bar with two beers on tap and plenty of rum, vodka, etc. Freezer is packed with ice and bottles of frozen water.
This morning, I brought all my patio furniture and potted plants indoors. I wanted to get that done before any rain comes, so they could stay dry.
My company technically closes today around noon, but made it VERY clear that they expect everyone to take care of their home and family as priority. They also brought in pallets of water bottles, so any employees that didn’t get stuff will be able to take some home. (We have a lot of relocated employees, and this is their first storm.)
Yesterday, I saw about half the gas stations in the area with lines. I expect it’s much worse today, but I haven’t been out of the house yet. Many of my friends are posting pictures of empty shelves at grocery stores.
EDIT: Co-workers are reporting that Home Depot and Lowes are out of propane.
I hope this is just a glancing blow, and Matthew goes out to sea. But I’m as ready as I can be.
I expect to start getting squall lines tomorrow (Thursday), and overnight Thursday through Friday may be the worst parts. I’ll try to check in if I have power and internet.
Stay safe everyone. My best advice is just don’t do anything stupid. Don’t go driving around because it looks fun. Don’t make this the first time you use a chain saw.
Nothing official, but a manager just said we might be working from home tomorrow AND Friday.
Not complaining there at all! As for the power going out, I’m not worried about it happening, and even if it does, I would be that I could get power pretty quickly.
I’m reasonably confident that I’m on the same grid as Seaworld (given we’re neighbors) and they can’t go without power for too long…
<Robert Stack Voice> Update: Orange County officially in Hurricane Warning as the office’s cell phones just simultaneously freaked out. Orlando is officially in panic mode!</Robert Stack Voice>
I must have missed the Hermine thread because I had no power for six days. Or people thought it was no BFD because it was “just” a Cat. 1.
So I’m fine. Thanks for asking. :rolleyes:
To everyone else in Florida: be safe. If anyone needs a safe haven, come to the panhandle. Or PM me and I’ll see if I can hook you up with accommodations.
Looks like it shifted a little, and the giant bullseye over Myrtle Beach has moved away. For the time being, anyways.
Looks like the time I spent making travel arrangements for the marketing folks to go to Delray Beach was all for naught. sigh
Leaving at 1:00 PM tomorrow and work is a paid holiday on Friday.
We’re supposed to have early release tomorrow at 3p and nonessential personnel are off on Friday.
I am essential. No word yet on if I can stay home or get a hotel room close to work. We’re working like mad to get ahead.
I shut down my branch at noon today and sent everyone home.
Charleston, SC here. Or outside. I’m just outside the evacuation zone and lasting it out. Cross your fingers.