Any other Floridians have a bad feeling about Huricane Francis?

[freetobegay]

I am still trying to clean up from Huricane Charley & now It looks like I might have to deal with Francis! Even if it doesn't hit us directly a near miss will be hell! All the storm debris that still hasn't been picked up are just missles laying all over the place waiting to be used. Sheesh!

[aquart]

1. God is looking for Jeb?

[Dudley_DUright]

2. Here is the latest predicted path from the National Hurricane Center

I live right where the path makes landfall. :-( :scared:

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ftp/graphics/AT06/refresh/AL0604W5+GIF/312053W5.gif

[fishnfla]

5. See that H at sat 2 pm?

thats right where I live---but its too soon to panic, that track may be off by 250-350 miles,,She'll turn....

[Dudley_DUright]

6. Yes, but the earlier predicted track was moving north

(landfall near FL-GA border) and now it is back down into our neighborhood. I hope you are right, but that Bermuda high is preventing the usual behavior so far.

[fishnfla]

7. They flip-flopped that line 3 times today

starting to sound like shrub, flopping around up there

[Katarina]

13. I'm right above that "H"

and I don't feel good about this at all. Just sitting here waiting for the new numbers that come out at 11. We've made reservations in Georgia and plan to head out Thursday afternoon if things don't drastically change. Stay safe everyone!

[Lorien]

10. WAY too close for my comfort

our street is still littered from the debris from Charley. My nerves won't take another one (I HATE storms with lots of high winds)!

[FloridaPat]

3. If another hurricane tries for Lakeland, I just may move to Arizona.

And it's still August!

[Awsi Dooger]

4. They showed two computer models late this afternoon in Miami

One had it curving northward almost parallel to the east coast of Florida and striking the Carolinas. The other model, from the US Navy, predicted it would continue almost westward and the epicenter hit somewhat north of Miami, in the Ft Lauderdale to West Palm Beach area.

[SW FL Dem]

11. I saw that - we just need to keep watching the updates

I use Weatherunderground.com. It has a full update at 5 and 11 (am and pm) and interim updates at 2 and 8 (am and pm)

[flvegan]

23. VIPIR?

Was the first one using the new VIPIR weather system? WFLA in Tampa was forecasting Charley with that, and had it nailed from the get-go.

[murray hill farm]

8. What is the mood there in Florida?

I live in Mexico..but used to live in north east florida...near St. Augustine..i was on IM tonight with my daughter who lives on the Georgia/SC border area...and they are making reservations at hotels already to go further inland if it hits there.

[fishnfla]

9. simmering hysteria

The Home Depots are panic central, my friend just got back from standing in line for 3 hours for plywood, line out the door and around the block, people at the end of the line begging and crying. No wood, no saws, no batts, no generators

2 customers down in another HD went at each other with baseball bats.

You know, typical FL crowds and human circus relations....

[RobinA]

16. OK, Here's My Question

As a landlocked Philadelphian, I have some questions about this phenomenon. Why does everyone always have to race out and buy generators? Don't they have a generator from the last time they ran out to get a generator? Generators don't go bad, do they? Personally, if I moved to the coast anywhere south of Va, a generator would be the first thing I'd buy.

Same with plywood. If you live so close to the water that you might need to board up the windows, can't you save the plywood you boarded up with last time? At the Outer Banks one year, I noticed that a lot of the owners had plywood all fitted and marked with what window it was for. When the hurricane threatened, all they had to do was haul out the already-fitted boards. You could fit one board a week starting when it gets warm in the spring, and by September you could be relaxing in the hammock watching your neighbors panicking as they race to Lowes for sold out plywood. Why don't more people do this? Maybe it's just my OCD showing, but I like to be prepared.

[LynneSin]

18. My parents live in Landlocked Harrisburg PA and they have a generator

:shrug:

Go figure

[murray hill farm]

20. Storing plywood!

In Florida anyway...the storage of wood is a problem. It is something you can do if you live in a home with a garage, but most folks in Florida do not have that option of a garage..maybe in the wealthy subdivisions or gated communities...but for the most part, it would mean storing the plywood outside along the side of the mobile home..or in the yard. The moisture and termites then rapidly destroy the wood..or the weather..the sun and rain does much damage to unprotected wood....and after 6 mos or a year, the wood is discarded...and then comes along a new hurricane threat..and new wood is needed. There is also the phenomenon of when you live in an area of many warnings each year, you learn to wait before leaving and before securing or bringing in all of the yard furniture, etc. because it is soooo much work to do it...and so expensive and disruptive to leave your home...and then when nothing happens..these hurricanes are so unpredictable and often change course at the last hour...you return and work again to put everything back..and for nothing. After 4 or 5 such pack ups...one learns to wait and see before leaving. Also, there is that dread of leaving your home and all your belongings...a sort of need to stay and protect your homestead...even though it is a very dangerous thing to do. It is a complicated business living in hurricane country..ha..and perhaps a degree of denial needs to exist in order to continue staying.

[Baclava]

12. This could be nasty...

I live on the Gulf side, and have been through enough of these to know better....don't believe the "weather experts"...these things can turn in any direction with a mind of their own. The "computer models" don't mean shit when it's your house in it's path. If you live anywhere in FL and aren't watching it you're an idiot.

[SW FL Dem]

14. It's not looking good for Florida

The 11pm update shifts the track to the West and puts much of the bottom half off Florida in the potential 3 day track. There are high pressure ridges that may keep this thing from heading north. Anyone from the Keys to the Carolinas needs to watch Frances closely tomorrow. She is expected to hit land by the end of the week.

[Dogmudgeon]

15. My 6-year-old nephew is TERRIFIED

Charley really shook him up even though there was no damage to their house -- the lights went out, and the whole family camped out for the night in the hallway for fear the windows would blow out.

He's a very bright kid, but like many young eggheads, he's afraid of everything. The prospect of Francis hitting Orlando has him freaked out.

--bkl

[Samurai_Writer]

17. I'm making preparations now...

Everyone here on the treasure coast is starting to board up and get ready to evacuate -- we learned from our West Coast neighbors that we can't wait til the last minute. I had already planned to be going to Houston this weekend, so I will be boarding up Thursday night and getting my animals to safe places. My dog and younger cat will be going with my pet sitter/vet assistant. My older cat will be going with me to Houston. I feel much better now that I know I have them all taken care of. Not too worried about the stuff in my apartment. I'm taking my photos, important papers, and laptop with me. Everything else is just stuff that I can replace if I have to. Hope everyone in the path of the hurricane stays safe!

[LynneSin]

19. That storm is bigger than the state of Florida

:cry:

[Misunderestimator]

21. How funny... I just posted that exact same pic link in another thread

It's amazing isn't it? I'm still envisioning it going northward and dissipating... :(

[Mizmoon]

22. In NY we haven't had a good hurricane for years

just alot of rain from your leftovers. Send it up here! I could use a little excitment in my life.