Not looking good for us in Florida

[indaswamp]

That^^^^^^is why this forum is so awesome! Everybody helping everybody!!

 

[chilerelleno]

Tampa is now forecast for a direct hit.
But still time for it to wander more.

I urge those on the coast from Naples to Steinhatchee to evacuate if you can.
Especially people in the Ft. Meyers / Cape Coral areas as the storm surge there may be devastating.
Those inland from Gainesville to Labelle might should do the same.
Get out you guys!
Get out even if you're not right in the middle of it.
The East side will be wicked.

Two years ago we dodged Sally being on the West side of Mobile Bay.
But the East side and further got slammed, friends of mine lost everything.
Don't be them in water up to your waist, in the rain/wind with no transportation or shelter, wet cold and scared shitless.

***Below are excerpts from some folks I knew who lost it all in Sally.***

Facebook is full of my friends and acquaintances who live on the other side of Mobile Bay, and along the beaches, who're getting absolutely hammered. It's bad, my friend David just posted this,

Lost the ceiling in the garage and now the kitchen ceiling just hit the floor. Roofing has failed. Also, power is out.

Now nothing.

My best hunting/fishing buddy bugged out to his hunting property near Grove Hill, AL, His main home is in Orange Beach.
Roll of the dice if it'll still be in one piece tomorrow afternoon.

Dozens more people I know live down that way.

Scott Kennedy
Nasty down here, our fence is gone, neighbors porch collapsed. Lots of flooding. Moving into the eye now though so hopefully that’s the worst of it

Stephen Franklin
John ChileRelleno Cox
our cars are floating away from our house and windows about to be blown out."

Tony Bearden
It’s getting real here! Just lost power and waters 10 foot from the door.

Four people I know right there, plus others, lost homes and vehicles.

 

[indaswamp]

Latest track as of 1am 9/27 has it shifted slightly to the east before hooking it North....stay salty and stay safe.

 

[JckDanls 07]

This mornings track has it dead on Tampa Bay (Bradenton, Palmetto.. that's me) as a 3... boarding up today...

Jerry... Thanks for the offer brother... but my biggest fear is getting stuck in traffic on the interstate with no gas to be had...

Praying that forecasters are wrong (as they usually are) and it changes before making landfall here....

Hang on tight everybody...

 

[indaswamp]

Better safe than sorry!

Praying for low impact damage, hoping for the best for all those affected by this storm.

 

[SmokinAl]

I just wish it was Friday & we can start the cleanup. Good luck Keith. You can always come over here, if you need to evacuate. Only about 1 1/2 hours from us, No RV hookup, but we have blow up beds & whole house gen. Stay safe brother!
Al

 

[mcokevin]

I just wish it was Friday & we can start the cleanup. Good luck Keith. You can always come over here, if you need to evacuate. Only about 1 1/2 hours from us, No RV hookup, but we have blow up beds & whole house gen. Stay safe brother!
Al

As Tom Petty said, the waiting is the hardest part!

 

[clifish]

My daughter is scheduled to fly into Tampa next week and visit a friend in Gainsville...might not happen

 

[BGKYSmoker]

Stay safe everyone.

I sure am glad i dont have the hurricane pucker anymore.

 

[fxsales1959]

It sure looks like were gonna take a hit from this storm.
Haven’t got my home repaired from the hail storm we had in April.
They are supposed to start on Monday, but with a potential major hurricane possibly affecting us on Wed.
I don’t want to have part of the work done, & have a storm hit us.
So far we have a new roof on the house, minus the gutters, but the siding, aluminum roof over the carport, patio, & lanai are what they need to replace next. Nothing is leaking now, ( I just wish I had a gutter on the side of the house), so if this thing is headed our way I don’t want to have them start this until the storm has passed. However, the path may change between now & Monday. Boy I sure hope it just turns east & heads out over the Atlantic. All of us in the Southeast need be hoping the same thing!
Al

Good Luck and batten down. for once I'm happt to be on the SE coast. got 6 "of rain last night from feeder bands.

 

[Winterrider]

Doesn't look or sound good for many. Play the safe card please. You can't stop what is going to happen but you may live another day. Prayers to all. . .

 

[chilerelleno]

Predicted to be a Cat 4 at landfall.

Track is now forecast to make landfall between Sarasota and Port Charlotte. It's current projected track goes directly through Lakeland and Orlando.
It should be downgraded to a tropical storm by the time it reaches Orlando.

And we know it'll likely move more, so Tampa looks like it'll keep it's century long record of not being hit directly by a hurricane.

SmokinAl , I'm worried about ya man.
Right now you are in for one hell of a ride.

 

[chilerelleno]

Storm surge forecasts for Port Charlotte, Cape Coral, Ft. Meyers south end and down to Naples and Marco Island is really looking bad.
fltsfshr get out, get a hotel in Miami if any are left!

 

[fltsfshr]

We're hanging in there.

 

[JckDanls 07]

I'm all set (I hope)... Windows boarded... everything inside... 30 gals. gas for gen set (plus both vehicles filled)... Pictures of everything inside and out ...



The windows not covered are tempered glass



Just a few pics ... No wind or rain YET ... just a little sprinkle

 

[indaswamp]

Grab Forest Gump and lieutenant Dan on your way out!! <sarc> LOL!!

Stay safe my friends on SMF in Fla.!!!!! I have major sympathy pains with you guys right now....I don't with that crap on anyone!

 

[SecondHandSmoker]

My daughter and son-in-law are in Fort Myers in Zone E.
No evacuation orders yet. They said they will stay put and ride it out.

Stay safe everyone.

 

[Gonna Smoke]

We're hanging in there.

We rode out Hugo in 1989, NEVER AGAIN!! We were lucky...

 

[SmokyMose]

You all are making me really glad to be up here in the "middle".
Keeping my fingers crossed for all of you....

 

[indaswamp]

We rode out Hugo in 1989, NEVER AGAIN!! We were lucky...

I'm having flashbacks! Hugo.....<shudder> that one scared the crap out of me!