I'm in Tampa and Frances is COOL! The tropics can be a beautiful

[Catfight]

place when it rains like this. I always think, it's the palm trees that bend in the wind that survive (Kerry) and the stubborn rigid trees that break like a pencil (Bush).

[PROGRESSIVE1]

1. Oh yes, the "gentle" sea breezes that only a Hurricane can bring.

[DoYouEverWonder]

2. I'm in Gainesville

we just had our first big squall come through. The electric went out for a minute but came right back on. Does wonders for your hard drive.

I live on a lake, so the weather can get pretty crazy around here even in a regular storm. Right now the birds seem to be trying to figure out the best spots to hunker down.

Anyway, there's more to come. It's going to be an interested day.

[Dirty Hippie]

3. Tallahassee

is starting to get a bit windy. Reminds me of Pooh, "It's going to be a blustery day!"

[soup]

6. "Tut tut, looks like rain."

Tampa Bay area here. Hardly any rain yet. Blustery, yes.

Sat outside for awhile in the middle of the night - watching the clouds scoot across the sky, feeling the wind crank up - strange and conflicting feelings - thoughts running from a centered and connected calm to extreme sadness for the destruction this is causing.

This one is personally easier to handle than Charley was. We didn't have a mandatory (and as it turned out, thankfully - needless) evacuation this time around. So will ride this one out with the homecourt advantage.

It was so hard to leave thinking it could be the last time we'd see this shack we've called home for almost 20 years. My heart goes out to and my thoughts are with those who won't have a home to come back to.

Hang on everyone, and stay safe.

-----

Here's some links to local webcams in case anyone's interested:

Live view from on top of the News Center, downtown Tampa
http://webcams.tbo.com/webcams/wfla/

looking out across the pier and over the bay
http://www.wtvt.com/stpete.htm

Clearwater Beach Interactive Camera - plus several other cams around the area
http://www.tampabays10.com/skycams/clearwater.asp

Florida webcam directory
http://www.leonardsworlds.com/states/florida.htm

[Spangle]

4. Kissimmee

I'm in one of the "lucky" neigborhoods. WE don't seem to be getting hit very hard here. Just wish it would GO already. It's the wiating that is getting me. Told we had to be in shelter on Friday night if you were going to one. We our roof covered with a tarp, we figured this one would cause us to get soaked. So, we went to a friends house Friday night.. here it is Sunday morning and we are still waiting for this thing.

Good grief.. I even delayed as long as I could Friday night without seeming "rude" because I was afraid of wearing out my welcome.

[althecat]

5. Hi guys... we are thinking of you.... and watch out Alabama and Georgia

Just posted a new report on Scoop on your storm... good to see you keeping your spirits up.



Frances Brings Chaos To Florida, Heads For AL & GA
http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0409/S00047.htm

Just after I posted it I noticed this line in the latest NHC hurricane discussion..

THE FORECAST TRACK BRINGS THE CENTER OF FRANCES BACK OVER THE VERY
WARM WATER OF THE NORTHEASTERN GULF OF MEXICO IN ABOUT 24 HOURS.
ALTHOUGH FRANCES WILL CONTINUE TO WEAKEN OVER LAND...THE LARGE
CIRCULATION SHOULD REMAIN WELL ORGANIZED...ESPECIALLY ABOVE THE
SURFACE...WHICH COULD LEAD TO SIGNIFICANT RE-STRENGTHENING BY 36
HOURS. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT FRANCES COULD REGAIN HURRICANE INTENSITY
BY 36 HOURS IF IT TAKES A MORE WESTWARD TRACK AND REMAINS OVER THE
WARM GULF OF MEXICO LONGER THAN CURRENTLY FORECAST.
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCDAT1+shtml/050900.shtml?

Sounds ominous particularly for Alabama, Louisiana and Georgia... so far this storm has been very unpredicatable.

[soup]

7. Incredibly gorgeous pictures from above

these devastating and life-threatening monsters.

Thanks for the report and the pic.

Louisiana being threatened now, too? Very unpredictable, indeed.

and next in line - there's Ivan. *sigh*