Florida officials begin ordering evacuations as Hurricane Irma intensifies to a Category 5 storm

[DonViejo]

Source: The Washington Post




By Mark Berman and Sandhya Somashekhar September 5 at 2:53 PM

Authorities in Florida have begun bracing for the potential arrival of Hurricane Irma, a roiling storm that intensified into “an extremely dangerous Category 5 hurricane” as it churned toward the United States.

Even as millions across Texas continue reeling from the impact of Hurricane Harvey, which battered that region with record-setting rain and was blamed for at least 60 deaths, Irma gathered strength in the Atlantic, prompting increasingly dire forecasts as well as hurried storm preparations in Florida, where a major hurricane has not made landfall since 2005.

Local officials have begun urging people in Florida to leave areas that could take a direct hit from Irma. Miami Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez said Tuesday that officials could ask some of the county’s 2.7 million residents to begin evacuating as early as Wednesday, calling Irma’s potential impact an “all hands on deck” situation for local officials.

“This hurricane is far too powerful, poses far too great a threat for us to delay actions any further,” Gimenez said at a news briefing.

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2017/09/05/florida-declares-state-of-emergency-as-hurricane-irma-intensifies-to-a-category-5-storm/?utm_term=.5bb34ee51ad1&wpisrc=al_alert-national&wpmk=1

[No Vested Interest]

1. Thinking about the large senior population in Florida for whom evacuation is especially

difficult.
Those with mobility problems, not to mention breathing and heart problems.

[Hortensis]

16. Yes. I plan to be the wise kind of very old person, instead of the

fearful, helpless kind. I'm on my way, hoping I make it through the whole thing as a mentally competent person, if not physically, and I'm sure my kids do too. People do change, though. Fingers crossed.

In any case, almost all of the helpless ones will be taken care of, in worst case only by professionals whose job it is to do just that. And for the rest of the seniors, some are no doubt already stocked or stocking up, some are letting their kids persuade them to fly out to stay with them, and some will hop in their cars and head inland or north to stay with friends or relatives, or maybe just decide to tour the autumn woods up north.

[bucolic_frolic]

2. Are we allowed to reciprocate all the venom we've taken over the years?

"God is punishing them because ...."?

Some element of liberalism has usually aroused the wrath of God according to some right-wing preacher/zealot.

[Skittles]

19. no

because we are not stupid, sanctimonious assholes

[steve2470]

27. +1 nt

[uppityperson]

34. ++++++++

[raven mad]

36. +2

[Tommy_Carcetti]

3. Here's the problem with Florida and particularly this storm.

It's a relatively narrow peninsula (about 150 miles at its very widest) with the only way to leave being north.

There are two, maybe three major North-South expressways (I-95, I-75 and the Florida Turnpike will take you halfway up state before meeting up with I-75). Everything else is narrower backroads.

So if you're in South Florida, fine, you think. I'll just drive north a bit.

But the problem is with this particular storm, we don't know where landfall will be. It could be on the east coast, it could be on the west coast, it could be on the panhandle, or it could follow I-75 straight up the middle. And there's supposed to be a northward shift at some point near Florida, but no one knows when that will be.

So we're looking at a situation where quite literally every portion of the state is at risk at this point. And if it does a south to north bisect as opposed to an east to west, it will be even worse.

If you are living in the Panhandle or North Florida, you're a little better off, as if you start now you can make it to higher ground in northern Georgia or Tennessee or the like where the storm will have likely dissipated beyond hurricane stage by the time it reaches there.

But Central and especially South Florida are in a worse spot. Basically, if you try relocating to another part of the state, you run the risk that the hurricane could veer into that part of the state instead of where you are.

I guess if you have the money and the planes haven't booked up, you could book a last minute flight if there's any room. But that works only if you have money and are able to nab a seat, and you don't have additional factors like traveling with pets.

I'm in Southeastern Florida. I have family upstate near Gainesville, but the problem is some of the tracks have the hurricane passing nearby there as well. And if it makes landfall as a 4 or 5, it could still have enough juice to be a 1 or 2 if it passes through Gainesville. There are lots of trees there which probably means power outages, which aside from the danger of the storm itself are one of the main reasons for going. Not to mention that not all houses there are built for hurricane codes like they are by the coasts.

So it's either leave probably within the next 24 hours via car, with a dog and my kids' guinea pigs in tow, fight northbound traffic where ever (and if it's not via I-95 or I-75 or the Turnpike, it would be on a lesser traveled and slower road like US 441) and keep on driving until you reach middle to upper Georgia probably, because none of Florida is out of the woods at this point. And hopefully find a hotel. Or keep on driving until we reach relatives (beyond Florida, the closest I have is South Carolina).

Or....we are in a post-Andrew constructed house with concrete block construction. We have quality shutters. We are not in a flood zone, although we are about a mile away from a flood zone, and we do have a small lake behind our house. My former house was also a concrete block with shutters and it made it through a Wilma direct hit and 100+ mph winds fairly well all things considered. (And it technically was in a flood zone, although Wilma was a fast and not very wet storm).

No real great choices. It will probably depend on where landfall is and the storm's path. If landfall is smack dab on the east coast, it will likely be a rough ride. If landfall skirts the west coast as some models have it, we'd still likely see tropical storm and maybe minimal hurricane force winds but it won't be nearly as rough. If the eye passes further out west in the Gulf, it might be like Matthew last year and pretty much a non-event for South Florida. Although what I hate most is the fact that I'm "rooting" for the storm to move away from us with the only possible path impacting somewhere else. It's unnerving but it's basically survival instinct.

[UpInArms]

4. Safe travels to you and yours, Tommy

[Tommy_Carcetti]

5. Thanks. nt

[babylonsister]

6. Yes, in a nutshell, there are no good choices.

And if you head to SC, there's a possibility that state too might get slammed.

I live in Melbourne and am trying to weigh my options, but I don't know where to start.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

7. Depends on how far away from the coast and flood zones you are.

And how strongly protected your house is.

If you're on the barrier island or intercostal or near a high risk flood zone, or if your house is older without shutters or concrete block, I'd either suggest leaving soon or moving to a shelter once they open.

[Hortensis]

18. There are more good choices than bad, if only ones knew what they were!

Irma won't hit everywhere. Fwiw, most spaghetti models are still favoring going west.

If so, we could lose our MH on a canal just off the mouth of Tampa Bay but, not being down there, we can worry about that if it happens. It's a nice old place, so pretty and comfy. I only wish more people, worried about how to afford to live after working, realized what a great life can be lived in an old MH in a nice location.

Good luck, Tommy. Won't actually hope it heads west, but if it does it'll be nice to know you are safe and comfy in your we-take-care-of-ourselves home.

[babylonsister]

21. I live in

a manu. house so staying here is out, though I hate the thought of losing it.

Ironically I think we'll be heading to my sister's house toward the Indian River. She lives in a house way above the water, a block house with hurricane windows. We will feel safer there.

[Hortensis]

22. That is ironic. :) And nice. Enjoy and be safe, Babylonsister.

Chances are your home will be basically as you left it when you return. Sure hope so. Normal expectations are that we'll be working on our concrete-block sea wall and replacing whatever's torn off our old wood dock. HUbby was down checking the trailer roof just last week -- still a few more years in it unless torn off.

[ThoughtCriminal]

8. What about your roof?

Concrete block walls and shutters are great until the roof come off.

My experience comes from tornado country, but looking at pictures of storm damage, that often seems to be something to be concerned about.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

10. I'm hoping that because it was built post Andrew the roof is higher quality...

...than the roofs that failed in that hurricane.

I don't know, though. My old house--which was built slightly pre-Andrew--we had to reshingle after Wilma but otherwise structurally was fine. Of course that was a tad over 100 mph (which was no walk in the park, but not as strong as what Irma's maximums are.)

[titaniumsalute]

9. You must be in PBC (or close since Wilma impacted you)

I moved to Boca right after Wilma but my neighbors all shared stories. The storm was projected to go North after swinging down through the keys but instead raced East Northeast back over the Everglades in the middle of night and caught a lot of people off guard.

I'm glad I'm back in Ohio but I left behind a lot of friends who I'm worried about now.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

12. Yeah, Wilma was a notable storm.

The eye passed over us and yet I felt eerily calm as it hit. There was a low grade rumble over the entire house and you could hear some of the shingles fly off. At one point I remember looking across the street and seeing the neighbor's pool screen fly off. I then heard a crack and noticed that something had hit the window in the front bedroom where I was, so I wisely shut off that room for the rest of the storm.

But I never felt panicked during Wilma. Honestly, the worst thing about Wilma was being without power for 4-5 days after the storm.

[FLPanhandle]

11. Great writeup on the challenges of evacuating

Just a note that the interstates in Florida can be gridlock just during college football season with a fraction of the traffic of a major evacuation.

Either evacuate now even with all the uncertainty or be prepared to hunker down and get prepared. Better than being stuck on the road during a hurricane.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

15. Good point. nt

[davsand]

13. Safety to you and yours. I'm sorry you are facing it.

There are no good options right now. I have family and friends in Florida, mostly Naples and Fort Myers area with a few sitting out on Captiva. Most of them have the ability to get out, and I hope they do. My friends over in Hollywood/Miami, however, are less equipped to get out. I am seriously worried about them.

Our friends in Texas got "lucky" that Corpus was not hit harder because some of them were not able to get out. We watched that unfold with huge anxiety and now we'll watch Florida too. So very sad and scared.

Stay safe. Please.


Laura

[Tommy_Carcetti]

14. Thanks. nt

[ancianita]

17. Yours WILL be a flood zone. BIGGER than Houston. I'm not trying to create panic, here but you've got

to go north to at least the center of the state. Heading toward a motel in Western GA between the state lines and Atlanta will get you in the clear. The hardships of travel you face will be nothing, if not at least preferable, to the hardships you face if you stay. I've been through five, one a Category 4. I know.

Seriously. I can't stress enough how biblical the flooding of your area will be. No electrical, food, sewage or garbage service for weeks while FEMA helps those caught in shelters and out in the storm.This is for your kids and pets more than for you. Get everyone out. By tomorrow.

Please. It's much better for you to err on the side of leaving, since you can always turn back if it dies down, than to be caught in this hurricane.

Be safe.

[obamanut2012]

24. SOFL here, too, very close to you

I think you are by NOVA. Post-Andrew CBS, with hurricane glass, accordian shutters, and stout roof here, not in flood zone. Not thrilled with this, but it is what it is. 95-N is gridlocked during rush hour, so no way to go, and where do we go? Jupiter? Orlando? Tampa? Jacksonville? I read today ot would take 99 hours EACH to evac Miami-Dade, Broward, and PBC. EACH.

I am still hoping it jogs SW some, or at least due west.

Goo luck!

[ffr]

20. Infrared animation of Irma

[KY_EnviroGuy]

25. Looks like evil eye - and it is!

That's the most wicked eye I've ever seen on a 'cain satellite shot. Hope everyone - man and beast - is off those little islands!

[jpak]

30. Irma Irma Burning Bright In the oceans of the night;

What immortal hand or eye.
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?

[KY_EnviroGuy]

23. Another reason to have high-speed double-track rail.

Not only helps speed-up evacuations, but also would be a big help in transporting goods during recovery.

But, cars!!

But, wouldn't you rather be spending your money rather than the government?

But, her emails!

[lunasun]

32. Yes all of the above Aargh

[demosincebirth]

26. I wonder what Florida has done to deserve the wrath of Irma?

[KY_EnviroGuy]

33. They hosted Donald Trump and Rick Scott.

May the forces of Mother Nature be with us.

[Akoto]

28. We're looking at evacuating in the RV, but waiting for a clear picture of where it's headed.

We don't want to end up just driving into wherever Irma ends up going after it makes landfall. It's a close shave, but you don't want to be stuck in a RV in that kind of storm, either.

[Duppers]

35. Good luck.

[riversedge]

29. I hope people take Irma seriously.

[adigal]

31. Donny, I heard Florida would be lovely this weekend!! Time to go play golf!! nt

Now is a good time for @realdonaldtrump to spend the weekend at Mar-A-Lago. Donny, go golfing in Florida!!!

[nitpicker]

37. From the Monroe County (Keys) Emergency Management : Residents have to leave too

http://www.monroecountyem.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=123

Monroe County Has Declared a State of Local Emergency


Monroe County has declared a State of Local Emergency Tuesday afternoon due to a “threat of danger to the populace inhabiting Monroe County” and that the County “may require expedient action in order to protect the health, safety and welfare of the community.”

Monroe County also has issued a mandatory evacuation of all visitors, tourists and non-residents. It begins at 7 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 6.

“All visitors, tourists and non-residents are hereby urged to seek safe shelter in mainland Florida. This evacuation order shall remain in effect until the danger has past, as determined by the Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem or Sheriff after consultation with the Director of Emergency Management.”

Monroe County also has issued a mandatory evacuation of all residents. It will begin at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 6.