My brother and his family bugged out of Ft Myers day before yesterday

[Richardo]

...and are now on a placid lake in the mountains of Western Virgina with his extended in-law family. :)

Showing uncharacteristic common sense, they anticipated the evacuation order and got out before everyone else got on the road.

I didn't realize I was as concerned as I was until he called this morning and after I hung up I felt like a 40 pound weight was removed from each shoulder.

Whew! I hope all the other Florida Gulf Coast DUers and their families are safe. I've got all of you in my thoughts...

[ShaneGR]

1. It looks like, for the most part, Ft. Myers will be spared

Although high winds and rainfall will affect that area, the real force of this storm is Tampa Bay. Winds reaching 120 mph, storm surge of 15-20 feet. This puppy has the potential to make Hurricane Andrew look small in comparison.

[freetobegay]

3. Hurricane Andew had winds in access of 177 mph

I don't think so!

ON EDIT: just for a folow up, I am in Fort Myers, this will be a catagory 3 hurricane by the time it passes us. It will pass by about 50 miles out, we will still see huricane force 1 winds mega rain & a tidal surge of of up to 12 feet. Yes it's not going to hit us directly but it will leave enough damage for the clean-up will take awhile.

I wish you all well in the Tampa area.

[GumboYaYa]

4. I was 75 miles inland when Andrew hit the Louisiana Coast

and we had sustained winds of 135 mph with gusts over 175. We were in the direct line of the storm. It was still a Class III when it got to us. I had been on the coast in the middle of a Class I and a Class II before that and they did not even come close to comparing to Andrew. That was a monster storm.

Charlie is bad and I pray for the people it its path, but it is not an Andrew-sized storm yet, thank goodness.

[Richardo]

5. Brother's lot is at 15' above sea level.

Perhaps their house will be spared too much water damage.

[demnan]

2. Good for them

although I think the storm is going to hit north of Ft. Myers. I have a brother and sister-in-law in Naples, FL and I called them last night. Looks like they have dodged the bullet.

However now I am really worried about my niece who lives in Brandon (Tampa area).