Natural Disaster Attention floridians & surrounding areas: take irma seriously

[hodge]

Floridians, this monster is about 400 miles wide. Florida is only about 140 miles wide. The whole southern part of the state is going to be affected, according to current projections late Thursday. Please, please, please don't try to ride this one out at home, especially if you are under mandatory evacuation. You will be safer in a shelter. It could be days before rescue workers could get to your home even if you survive.

My prayers and thoughts are with each of you.

 

[Justmehere]

Reading about the risks hurricane Jose is about to pose in 4 days, right behind Irma. Lord Almighty, help us here on earth. This is terrible.

 

[lostforgottensoul]

Irma is a Cat 4 now. The track is up the spine again, beiing still a Cat 4 once it hits the bottom coast and by the time it gets to us in central Fl it's supposed to be a Cat 2 so not near as bad as it first was. If that is the case then the impact will be way less. 155 mph winds is much different then 185 mph but still danagerous. The land is weakening it but the fear is warm water by the Bahamas which makes hurricanes to strengthen. It's why the Gulf is a horrible place for a hurricane. But the eye isn't as scary delveloped and that's a good thing. So here's hoping we get lucky with this hurricane. If I were in South Fl I'd get out for sure still as it's still super dangerous! The fear is not lessening as much by to hitting land due to the swampyness of the Everglades.

hurricane Jose

He is supposed to turn with Irma and go out into the Alantic but hurricanes can be unpredicable. One after the other is devesitating. It happened with Charley, Frances, and Ivan. There were 3 back to back that hit us.

 

[Deleted member 541]

It has decimated the US Virgin Islands. They said that st Jonas is flattened and st Thomas is 70% decimated. They lost the hospital, post office, police station and most major places on the island. God, I can't believe it. I've been there several times and I just can't even look at the pictures on tv of the destruction...... It's just awful... And 17 people have died....

 

[hodge]

I dunno, @lostforgottensoul, every report I've seen is that the eye is extremely well developed and has remained so for days. I don't know where exactly you are, but I pray you take good care and get out of Dodge if you are under even a voluntary evacuation advisory. This is nothing to mess around with. Have you seen comparison photos of Irma next to Andrew?

 

[lostforgottensoul]

I don't know where exactly you are

Orlando area. Many are evacuating to Orlando from other parts of the State. The coasts are being evacuated due to the storm surges.

Have you seen comparison photos of Irma next to Andrew?

Yep. She's a monster for sure and the eye scared me as well (especially the pictures from space) but remember it's gets weaker as it hits land. So, it honestly depends on where you are to what you will see and how bad it will be. She has gotten weaker instead of the fear stronger so that's good and a west turn so the eye won't hit here as was predicted. The possible furthest reach of storm surges come no where near here. But I am preparing for the worst, have "go bags" ready and a tank filled with gas just in case. I wish people would slow down and calm down though. Our Governor said don't be scared but prepare and our residents did just the opposite! Twice I almost got sandwhiched betweem two cars. People are insanely frantic. If I were on the coast I would have been gone today but it's not looking too bad locally for me so far. They are now saying Tropical Storm force just into Hurricane force winds here locally. So that's lower then the Cat 2 prediction. The best thing to do is to stay calm, prepare for the worst and watch close. Personally that's what I'm doing.

Tail storms have been going on all night. I remembered I need tires! :eek: Hydroplane city! Cops are now sitting in the grass mediums (at least by 1-4 on ramps) and I could not be happier to see cops! :laugh:

 

[hodge]

I hope and pray you're right, dear @lostforgottensoul. I saw a while ago that Tampa was ordering mandatory evacuations, yes, on the coastline, but still. This storm is such a monster. And it will affect all of inland Florida, as it is close to twice the size of Florida. Just let that thought sink in for a moment, okay? I'm going to repeat that: Irma is twice the size of Florida!

I am really worried it will change the Florida landscape forever. I hope I'm wrong. And I pray you and everyone there will be safe. If I were there, I would be heading north two days ago.

 

[lostforgottensoul]

I am really worried it will change the Florida landscape forever.

Maybe the Keys and Miami. It will hit there really hard!

ETA: Oh, I forgot to tell folks that Charter (Spectrum) are opening hotspots across the state (BHN Secured, Brighthouse Networks, cable wifi Free_Spectrum Wifi) for those needing wifi to connect. I've known that for days and the news reminded me to advise. So if you are in the state, look out for opened hotspots all across the state.

 

[hodge]

@lostforgottensoul, hon, if current projections turn out to be true, the eye of Irma will go through Orlando at Cat 2 or 3. Please consider going north, where it will lose strength. I'm glad you know of wifi sources. Please keep in touch with us!

 

[Deleted member 37474]

My sister's family is hunkering down in Orlando. I am numb to this hurricane right now. Feel like hiding. I have had enough hurricanes this year already.

 

[hodge]

(((TexCat))) Hide away. You need lots of recovery time.

 

[hodge]

Irma's back to a cat 5 in spite of making landfall in Cuba, which has mountains which many are hoping will help break her down. Let's hope and pray.