Charley now a Category 4 hurricane - winds 145 MPH

[UrbScotty]

http://www.cnn.com/2004/WEATHER/08/13/storms/index.html

<snip>

The National Weather Service said that Hurricane Charley's winds had increased to 145 mph (233 kph), with higher gusts.

At 2 p.m. ET, the storm was centered 60 miles (96 km) south-southwest of Fort Myers, moving to the north-northwest at 20 mph (32 kph), according to the National Hurricane Center.

<snip>

Hurricanes are classified as categories 1-5 on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale. A Category 4 storm has winds of between 131-155 mph (201-249 kph).

<snip>

[oldhat]

1. Who cares?

[jayfish]

2. Me!

Who are you again?

Jay

[phiddle]

3. Any one

who lives in the area, or has friends or family who live in the area.

[Name removed]

7. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Florida_Geek]

9. I have lived in Tampa for 34 years

and this is only the second to come near to Tampa.

I care.

[alphafemale]

14. You're still home? You're not low-lying are you? You've got me worried.

Keep us posted.

We're well upland, (GA) and I just did the walk-around. Putting lawn furniture and other stuff in the garage, bottled up about 40 gallons of water etc...

We're expecting 80mph winds hundreds of miles away from Tampa.

And the power goes out here for much less severe weather.

Who cares, indeed.

I don't think there's a single section of this country not prone to one natural disaster or another.

Pick tornadoes, wildfires, earthquakes, blizzards or hurricanes...you're going to be prone to something.

[BeyondGeography]

22. Good luck, Fla._Geek

My mother lives in Sarasota, so count me among those who care very much.

Only an asshat would ask, "who cares."

[Orangepeel]

10. you should be grateful

Just think house expensive housing would be in your perfect area if we all tried to live there.

:eyes:

[TheWatcher]

16. One of my Best Friends lives there you inconsiderate Asshole.

And I am VERY worried about her.

A lot of us have friends and family there, and aren't fascinated by the morbid bullshit you speak of.

Gorw Up and get a life.

[TheWatcher]

18. And of course the gutless coward has no response.

Insensitivity comes so easily for some. Funny how they never seem to have anything to say when called on it.

I sincerily hope when YOUR family and friends are in danger, you don't expect any less concern or sensitivity in return.

[nostamj]

24. my PARENTS are in the path of this thing

you SICK POS.... and they've lived there for decades without facing a storm like this.

you are disgusting and don't belong on DU

[Name removed]

28. Deleted message

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[LSK]

30. "every single year like clockwork? "

They do huh?

We like to use FACTS here, not stupid statements.

[Name removed]

19. Deleted message

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[Name removed]

23. Deleted message

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[Name removed]

27. Deleted message

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[Name removed]

29. Deleted message

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[Name removed]

33. Deleted message

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[nostamj]

34. then TURN OFF THE TV

and pray for the people affected.

don't make STUPID comments when many of your fellow DUers are in a panic worrying about their families.

you should DELETE your insensitive and STUPID post NOW.

[LSK]

35. would you rather we ignore the hurricane

And go back to the Kerry Vietnam lies?

[TheWatcher]

36. UNBELIEVABLE.

What if it was YOUR parents. YOUR loved ones. YOUR Firends.

Would you give a shit THEN?

Would you care THEN?

What unadulterated HYPOCRISY we have here. Of COURSE our Troops are dying every day in Iraq, of COURSE the world is fucked up, Of COURSE we need to stay focused on what is important, but how can you sit there and pooh-pooh the biggest disaster to hit this country since Hurricane Andrew, that WILL affect the lives of hundreds of thousands of people?

Let me give you a NEWS FLASH Junior:

THIS IS WHAT'S IMPORTANT.

THIS IS PART OF WHAT WE NEED TO BE FOCUSED ON.

This isn't some political DISTRACTION, it's a Fucking CATEGORY 4 HURRICANE that is getting STRONGER.

Have you ever SEEN the destruction these things can cause?

How is the importance of this diminished?

Explain your logic, because you certianly didn't come to this discussion with any.

SHAME ON YOU.

SHAME ON ANYONE who is approaching this with this attitude.

Your TRUE Colors are showing.

I absolutely DARE you to justify your position here.

You CAN'T.

[thinkingwoman]

42. a realtively small group of people?

how many did I hear were affected by evacuation orders?

[nostamj]

44. 2 MILLION evacuated and the first estimate for damages

is 15 BILLION

but some 'DUers' think it's a time for sarcasm...

move along, just a little wind and rain, nothing to be concerned about...

[TheWatcher]

47. No, it should be deleted because you made a thoughtless, insensitive Post.

Don't test me Junior.

And don't tell me to calm down.

One of my Best Friends is in the path of this Storm.

I have every right to be concerned and so do many others.

Take your tactless bullshit somewhere else.

[TheWatcher]

32. See Post #28

The same goes for you.

SOmeone i love and care about is in danger. A LOT of us have friends and family in danger right now.

DO NOT EVEN THINK about being an asshole about it.

[Name removed]

37. Deleted message

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[Placebo]

39. Oh CALM down...

go watch some hurricane coverage, i didn't insult you.

[Name removed]

46. Deleted message

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[Stuckinthebush]

40. Wow...have you ever been in a category 4 hurricane?

Obviously not.

Let me give you some predictions:

1. - Massive property damage in the 100s of millions will occur
2. - There will be a loss of life
3. - Businesses will be affected around the Southeast as well as the nation


I will assume that this was just a bone headed spur of the moment comment and that you actually do care.

[greatauntoftriplets]

51. How insensitive.

I have cousins and a good friend in the storm's path. The cousin who lives directly on the water is safe in Michigan right now, but I am certain she is worried sick about her children and grandchildren.

[AngryOldDem]

54. I DO!

I get so angry at reading this type of callous bullshit everytime a disaster hits. No matter what the reason is for posting it, it's sick.

The 90-year-old mother of my deceased best friend lives in North Fort Myers. She cannot drive, has no one to drive for her, and is virtually alone in the world. When we heard that Charley was kicked up to a Cat 4 this afternoon, we called her. She is still in her house (which is a small trailer-type home in an enclosed community) because SHE CANNOT LEAVE. Most of her neighbors evacuated, but did not think to take her along. No law enforcement types apparently have come along either, offering her transportation. She said she will just "ride it out" -- as she is a native Floridian and has been through many hurricanes -- but we do not think her home can withstand 100+ winds. Even if the brunt of the storm still goes up toward Port Charlotte, the winds and surge will still be fierce in Fort Myers. We are afraid for her life.

After we got off the phone (we live in Ohio, BTW), we tried calling the North Fort Myers PD and the Lee County sheriff to see if they could send someone by to get her. We were transferred all over the place and were finally given the number of some Democracy Now group (???) that was apparently making evacuation runs. Their line was busy and by that time it was on the news that if you weren't evacuated, you were SOL. So we stopped trying.

We told her to call us ASAP after the storm passes. We've already decided that if we don't hear from her by midweek, my husband is flying down. As I said, she has no relatives left. We are kicking ourselves for not making arrangements with her previously in case something like this happened. But we're doing the best we can from 1100 miles away.

This is awful, especially when there is nothing we can do but pray she stays safe.

That is a long answer to your question. The short answer is, I CARE. VERY MUCH.

Get a life. More to the point, get a heart.

[yellowcanine]

4. Holy shit! That's it! Pat Robertson needs to be held accountable for

this! Just because it's a few years late doesn't mean it isn't his fault. Robertson prayed up a hurricane to hit Disney, did he not? Where is Disney? In Florida. Where is the category 4 hurricane? In Florida. I rest my case. Class action suit, anyone?

[phantom power]

5. that's bad news. What's up with Bonnie?

[DoYouEverWonder]

11. Just had what I think were the last bands of Bonnie

through Gainesville in the last few hours. Very, very heavy rains. This is not good, because we've already have a lot of rain this summer and we are saturated already.

When Charley hits, if it dumps a lot of water, there will be a lot of flooding. I've already gotten water damage today in one room, so I'm off to a good start.

At the moment, I feel like I'm sitting at the end of a bowling alley and there's a really, really big bowling ball heading this way. I'm sure it will be an interesting day.

[ima_sinnic]

17. hi in Gainesville, I'm here too

just saw the fire chief on TV saying Charley has veered and will pass south of Gainesville but we will get heavy rain for hours.

[AndyTiedye]

6. 162 MPH where the airplane went in, 145 is the surface-level estimate

You gotta figure that flying a light plane into a hurricane is pretty
dangerous. Yet the people who fly hurricane-hunter planes seem to have
fewer fatal plane crashes than Democratic political candidates.

[geomon666]

8. Well that was incredibly insensitive.

Who cares? People could die today or at the very least lose their homes so I care. Especially since I've been through it before.

[demnan]

12. I care

I care when I hear of a natural disaster, even if my brother didn't live in Naples, FL I would care.

On edit:

I came back to DU knowing that I would see some updated info on this. Thanks for posting it.

[papau]

13. Charley will hit 70 miles south of St Pete

Charley will hit near Charlotte Harbor, FL
(Sanibel, Cape Coral, Captiva Island, Ft. Myers, Pt Charlotte)

[geomon666]

15. Latest Radar Image

Updated every few minutes.




Tornados reported in Central Florida. Please people, be careful out there.

[DancingBear]

20. Brother lives in Nokomis - just north of Venice

Evacuated at 12 noon.

[nostamj]

25. they're evacuating NORTH of Venice???

SHIT!!! my parents are in Venice (or were) damn damn damn

[DancingBear]

26. Hi Jeff

Yes - my brother works for the Sheriffs Dept. and they STILL told him he must leave.

<thinking good thoughts for all loved ones in the area>

[Bridget Burke]

21. Let's give thanks to the inventors of Weather Satellites

Hurricanes can still do tremendous damage but most people can get out of the way.

The 1900 Storm in Galveston killed at least 6,000 people.

Edited to add thanks for the crews who fly into the storms...

[bluedog]

31. Charley makes landfall at Captiva Island

http://www.baynews9.com/Home.html


Charley makes landfall at Captiva Island
Friday, August 13, 2004

Click here for Doppler 9000 for more views of the storm.
Hurricane Charley has been upgraded to Category 4, and has made landfall south of the Bay area.

No storm surges are expected locally, however, hurricane-force winds and heavy rain are likely. Also, tornadoes are possible, with a tornado watch in effect until 2 a.m. throughout the Bay area.

Charley is heading north/northeast and has made landfall at Captiva Island. It has sustained winds of 145 mph.

Hurricane Andrew was a Category 5 hurricane.

Polk County ordered a mandatory evacuation for mobile home residents.

Hernando County ordered a mandatory evacuation of Level B.

Hillsborough County ordered a mandatory evacuation of Level C.

South Pinellas and North Pinellas ordered a mandatory evacuation of Level C.

Pasco County ordered a mandatory evacuation of Level B.

Manatee County ordered a mandatory evacuation of Level C.

Citrus County has lifted its mandatory evacuation order and closed all shelters.

[Corgigal]

38. Damn

The eye is still intact and actually still looks healthy. Awful.

[Corgigal]

41. Punta Gorda

being torn apart. Hotel that a newscrew is sitting in being ripped apart and newcaster said he has never seen this type of destruction.

[thinkingwoman]

43. where's punta gorda?

I'm still learning where everything is down there...know the east coast of fl but not the west

[Bluebear]

45. N. of Ft Myers

http://mq-mapgend.websys.aol.com/mqmapgend?MQMapGenRequest=FDR2dmwjDE%3byt29%26FDJnci4Jkqj%2cMMCJ%3aHOEvq%3b0zw1fr%3a%29ra2q4z%3a%26%40%24%3a%26%40r%3aqyb%3al4b%3aTD%15JFE%3aHOHQJ%3b0zw1fr%3a%29ra2q4z%3a%26%40%24%3a%26%40%24x9%40

[thinkingwoman]

56. thanks!

much appreciated.

[Spazito]

48. My thoughts are with all those in harms way

I hope all are safe.

[MissB]

49. How far are they evacuating?

My dad is in Largo, Fl. It's between Clearwater and St. Petersburg.

[Bluebear]

52. He's fine , it hit south of there

[MissB]

53. Thank you!

I've been trying to figure out where exactly they evacuated. He's not at home, but I'll assume he is safe.


Thank you.

[amazona]

50. oh lord

My house was crushed by a lowly tropical storm. I hate to think what some folks will be facing. Just stay safe over there, please.

[Eurobabe]

55. Hang tight FL!

I lived through Alicia south of Houston in 1983 and that was only a category 3! Scariest shit I've ever been through. It's not just the hurricane itself, its the tornadoes that are spawned as this thing blows through...hope those of you who have family & friends down there hear from them soon, and they are fine.( My Dad & Aunt are in Clearwater)