Here comes Hurricane Freedoms, are you ready Florida?

[SlavesandBulldozers]

let us make this the unofficial hurricane Frances thread.

[Catt03]

1. I am sitting here in Palm Beach County

waiting for more information although today they issued an evacuation to begin after 2 PM tomorrow.

No water, eggs, batteries nor coke left at the grocery store.

All we can do is wait and see what the next advisory is.

[SlavesandBulldozers]

2. hang in there

im in Orlando. it looks like she's headed our way.

[FlaGranny]

8. Suggestion -

if you're looking for food, try the health food store (even the supermarket may have some), and buy protein bars. No worry about storage and they are nourishing.

I'm sitting here in Palm Beach County also, but in a mobile home. My husband will be out all day getting awnings down for people. When he gets home, we're packing up and going somewhere, anywhere else. Has anyone been on the highway this morning? I wonder if there will be gridlock when we try to leave this evening. Hopefully most everyone will be where they need to be by then.

We have places to stay in the area, but we might decide to go over to the West Coast. We might still be in the path, but it won't be as strong. I hate these storms that are projected to skirt up the coast like this.

There really is no way to decide where to go, is there?

[RockaFowler]

10. Mandatory Evacuation

I also live in a Mobile Home in Palm Beach County. We are extremely scared, especially for our elderly neighbors. We do have a place to go (my husband's work). I can't believe that it keeps moving further south into Palm Beach County. We have never seen a hurricane like this in PBC. The last time a major hurricane hit PBC was in 1928. We did have that stubborn Irene in 1999, but she was only a cat1. Good Luck to all of us!

[FlaGranny]

11. I wish we had a better place to go

around here. We could go to my son's house but he has no hurricane shutters. He is boarding up windows in one room and bathroom. At least they should be protected from flying glass. The house is post-Andrew, so it should be fairly safe otherwise. He is having his mother-in-law and brother-in-law, wife and three kids in one room, so that's going to be quite a tight fit.

We have a couple of condos were can stay in, but they are old, like 30-40 years old.

We're going to decide what to do at the 5 p.m. track update, I guess, whether to stay in the area or not. My cousin and a few friends have rented three motel rooms in Lakeland. We might go there, although Frances might go there too. At least, like someone else said, the storm should be a bit weaker by then.

Do you know about the flooding dangers in Lakeland?

[funky_bug]

21. re: flooding

I'm in Lakeland. We're under flood warning... sigh...

[sidestreamer]

39. Keep away from the lakes, and try to stay away from Dixieland

the 700 block around New York Avenue is dangerous right now.

That's all I know from calling my family over there.

[funky_bug]

19. Granny, the roads are awful. Leave and leave soon.

My husband is stuck in Brevard County. He was in south FL for work and left early this morning for home (we're in Polk, and not sitting pretty at all.) He's STILL stuck in Brevard... hasn't moved a mile in over two hours. Please get out of there as soon as you can. My prayers are with you!

[SW FL Dem]

3. Good luck

I'm on the gulf side, but we're still in the danger zone. The schools are closed on Friday.

[Catt03]

4. Thanks...good luck to you too

[iamjoy]

5. Anxious In Orlando

looks like Kissimmee (south of Orlando) is really going to get it, where the paths of Charley & Frances cross.

If Frances hits anywhere near Central Florida, it's going to totally suck. Homes and roofs are damaged from Charley, the ground is already saturated, the repairs the utility companies made to get us back to normal were temporary fixes. Basically, this kind of storm alone would be bad enough for Central Florida, but coming when everything is already in disarray and the streets are still lined with debris...

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

7. Also in Orlando

They are predicting 20 inches of rain. That's insane. We're considering heading over to Tampa area to stay with family. At least it would be more fun that way. It would also be easier on us since we have a young toddler and we could use the help. We're hoping that it won't be as bad over there. Tampa area appears to be farther from the projected path than Orlando is and we're figuring if it does hit over there, it will be weaker after being over land for so long.

[iamjoy]

9. Good For You

My husband and I are going to tough it out, but we don't have children. You are smart to get your little one out of the way of danger (or what will at the very least be majorly inconvenient). I hope your family isn't in south Tampa, though. That area floods like crazy.

[Sugarbleus]

6. Calif. here, wishing and hoping the very best for all of you...

Got caught up in the RNC frenzy tonight.... I know you folks have more pressing matters right now. I just wanted to drop in and let you know I care about your plight down there.

I'll be watching your weather from afar...I'm sorry this has to happen again so soon.

:hug:s from the west coast.... stay safe SB

[nickinSTL]

12. Frances

My parents were planning to leave this morning, before the mandatory evacuation begins tomorrow. They live in Volusia County, and are heading to Alabama to get away from the storm. Hopefully, it won't head there next.

[2Design]

13. that storm is as big as the whole state of florida.....and it could

go anywhere ...looking at the map

Take care of yourselves. Hard to say where to go because the storm can be so unpredictable.

[iamjoy]

14. Where You Might Find Batteries/Other Tips

at an Adult Products store. Especially those scarce D cells.

buy small bottles of water, freeze them. You will have ice packs and when it melts, drinking water. Make ice now and put the cubes in a ziplock bag.

peanuts, granola bars also good item. buy crackers. your bread will go moldy in less than 3 days w/no power (the humidity). I froze my bread this time, hope that helps...

do laundry in case you have no power for a long time.

can't get gas....filled up the other day but doing so much driving with the primary election & other political stuff running low again...

[dryan]

15. Still at work....

I live in the Conway/Azalea Park area (Curry Ford and Oxalis) and Charly was terrible. We lost over 200 trees in our division (Colony Club). We live on a cul de sac and because of 2 big oaks at the front of the circle, cars could get through but not garbage trucks so they finally picked up our trash this past Tuesday (stinky is not the word).

There are plenty of D batteries for sale in the Office Supply Store at UCF. They special ordered them. Good price.

Hey DUers after the storm, mayb we could all get together sometime?

Good luck during the storm.

[RockaFowler]

22. Speaking of Gas

I filled up on Tuesday because the gas tax was being lifted at midnight Tuesday. Today I saw that there were at least 10 gas stations in PBC that are empty. The area may not get gas until Monday or Tuesday because they have closed the ports. Unbelievable. Everyone take care and Be Safe!

[TheCentepedeShoes]

16. Hubby talked to his brother

in Delray Beach yesterday. He'll put his awnings down and ride it out.

[Catt03]

17. I'm there too

Decided to ride it out also.

A little nervous though...all the hotels are full and can't get a plane out, they're full too.

[TheCentepedeShoes]

18. The B-in-law

lives at Highpoint East (retirement community) just west of I-95. Maybe he'll be ok there. Wherever you are, please be safe.

[SlavesandBulldozers]

24. keep us updated

on his wellbeing

[TheCentepedeShoes]

27. Spoke with him last night

He was planning to go to the Keys today. No clue if that's a good idea or not. :shrug:

[funky_bug]

20. The stores were ready this time

Hit Publix... they have a TON of batteries, flashlights and water... no price gauging, in fact the opposite! I'm in Polk, and as you know we are still getting through Charley, so supplies could have been so scarce... instead there are a-plenty!

Hugs to all my fellow Floridians! Let's send good vibes and strong prayers to each other.

[SlavesandBulldozers]

23. Latest reports say that the eye is breaking up. But

this thing still looks huge. Coming right for us. Hang in there all my Floridian bruthaz and siztaz.

[FloridaPat]

30. Lakeland here. Starting to get really strong winds. Trees are really

dancing. Takes my breathe away to go outside. Wow. This has just been too much excitement the last 3 weeks. How is everyone else doing? THis could shut down the entire state.

[soup]

25. Bay news 9

Didn't realize how on edge I am until the station made an announcement a few minutes ago that sent me into an absolute panic.

I called them to find out what the heck we were supposed to do, and they directed me to the EOC.

The woman at EOC said, "no ma'am. That's not true. They will rescind that statement."

Well, they better do it quickly. I'm waiting and watching.

Freaking news channel. Depending on them to get the local news and updates - and they get it wrong.

Trying to calm down. GRRR.

[soup]

26. 1/2 an hour later -

Bay News 9 finally updated the info.

Doing a report on it right now. Wonder how many people heard it and called in a panic?

[methinks2]

28. Casselberry here

it's 6:24 pm , just rain and wind so far. A few flickers, but the power is still on.

Hang on everyone !!!!!

O8)

[TheCentepedeShoes]

29. Talked to Crazy Paul

in Delray about an hour ago. He didn't head for the Keys afterall. He is sitting in his dark house - no power, awnings down. His palm trees have blown down but there has been no structural damage in his community that he can see. He'll be OK. I just pray for those not so lucky.

[iamjoy]

31. Whew...Ugh....

checking in from east Orlando...for those of you who know its the Goldenrod area

It was not as bad as I'd feared...power went off yesterday (Sat) mornining & I thought "Oh, great, another week of this crap" but it came back a few hours later. It has been mind numbing, listening to the tarps down on my porch slap against the screen, every now and then hear that sound on my roof that I know means more shingles are coming off. And this has been going on for the better part of two days.

Still, I'm relieved it wasn't worse and really feeling for people in Melbourne (southern Brevard, central east coast) who got pounded with the north eyewall - looking at radar images it is possible they have had NO let up all weekend. And of course, wherever in Polk County, possibly Lake Wales (near the geographic center of the peninsula) in the crosspath of Charley and Frances.

My husband and I are on Winter Park utilities and they have a boil water alert. All across the state they tell us to limit consumption to reduce the strain on sewage resources.

[soup]

32. It's our turn on the west coast.

The center has finally moved off of the peninsula. Hooray. The downside to that is the back side of the storm is trying to rebuild now that its' out in the gulf. As it does, it's pulling up over us in some fairly intense squall bands, heavy rain and a few pretty strong gusts. We've been getting some combination high tide and heavy rain flooding.

Our house is now an island. The ducks from the pond at the end of the road are swimming in the yard. They provided a smile this morning as they paddled up what is normally our street. (wish I could find the camera - but thinking it may be at our son's house)

Our lab decided she wanted to join the ducks, so had a swim then a bath this morning.

The neighbor's car is also unfortunately an island. Several of us were going to help them get it to higher ground, but the water is almost over the hood. They're upset, but figure there's nothing to be done to save it at this point. We've lost a few shingles and quite a few landscape ties let loose of their mooring and are floating around with tree branches and palm fronds. All in all, things are holding together well in our little corner of the world.

They're reporting high tide has passed, so it should start to recede in the next few hours. No power loss in our immediate area. What a welcome surprise that is. Coffee. Coffee. Coffee.

That's about it from here. Hope everyone else is riding this out safely and getting through this ok. The end is finally in sight. For us anyway. The panhandle is next. Stay safe everyone. Best wishes to all of you.

[iamjoy]

33. Where Are You?

[soup]

34. Sorry I didn't get back sooner.

We're in Pinellas county.

Just took new measurements and the water is finally receding. (down almost 3 inches) Doesn't look like anyone in our neighborhood took water into their houses, came up to the doorstep at a couple of the neighbors' houses, so was very close.

Looks like we may lose a jacaranda tree, it's really laying over. Love the purple flowers, but they're such a brittle and delicate tree, it's not really a good choice.

Teenagers in rowboats and canoes are out and about cruising the streets between squalls. Probably feels really good to just get out of the house.

We may still get some weather from this as it pulls the moisture from the gulf up into the back side. It's kicking up a little once in awhile, but doesn't seem even as bad as the normal summer dailies. We've been very lucky.

Glad your power didn't stay out this time around and you've made it through safely. Have you gotten a glimpse of the sun yet in your area?

[iamjoy]

35. No Blue Sky For Two Days

Although, the clouds are mostly white and pale gray, enough sunlight makes it through that it isn't dark.

And yes, from where I am most of this isn't as bad as some of our summer squalls - but they don't last as long. The storm seemed to come in patches, relatively calm for a while, no rain or drizzle then a burst of pouring rain and high winds - I think they said maximum sustained winds in this area (northeast Orange County) like 45 mph, some gusts in the 60s. But a lot of it hasn't seemed that bad and the piles of debris remaining from Charley stayed put - my big fear was that they would become lethal airborne missiles. More water stains on my ceiling....

BTW - any one know what the situation is in Lakeland?

[TheCentepedeShoes]

41. Clicked on TampaBayOnline

this morning. Can't believe all the flooding on Fowler (near where I used to live). Did you catch Bob and Gayle's report showing the guy jet skiing on Bayshore? I love the Hyde Park area - wonder how bad the flooding got there.

[SlavesandBulldozers]

36. Just got my power back on

ahh, AC and DU - just like old times. Keep Florida in mind DU'ers, still hundreds of thousands w/o power

[iamjoy]

37. Try 4 Million

From what I hear, that is the number statewide without power.

I'm amazed we still have ours, after Charley it took a week to get it back and I heard a lot of the post-Charley repairs were temporary fixes.

Hope the death toll stays low.

[sidestreamer]

38. Gainesville Reporting

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=1638423&mesg_id=1638423

Edit to add: you can call it Lake Hogtown Creek now; it has quadrupled in width due to the rains and the nearby trailer parks are in a foot of water.

As for the University of Florida, there will be no classes Tuesday, for any Gator DUer lurking here.

[bullimiami]

40. 3 1/2 days without power

and sweating.

just got it back 1am tues.

wasnt bad here in north miami. im thankful.

all my best to the rest of you....