posted August 12, 2004 05:22 PM              

For any of you who are also in Florida, you know that just about 2 hours ago, over ONE MILLION people have been ORDERED EVACUATION from the Tampa Bay and St. Petersberg area, the west coast of Florida. They are all heading inland towards us here in Orlando. The hotels here are all working together with the state to provide affordable hotel space for all these people. This is the biggest evacuation order since Hurricane Floyd in *EDIT* 1999 - HURRICANE DONNA WAS 1960*. There is only one main highway which heads from west to east in Florida, and it's already like a parking lot. There's going to be a run on materials like plywood, where there's usually blocks and blocks of cars lined up at each lumber store.

The gas lines will be long too. Grocery shelves empty. ATM machines empty.

This is not the average hurricane, which will hit around 2pm Friday (tomorrow). The most powerful part of a hurricane is in it's Right Quadrant. Since this hurricane will trace up the west coast, that means the entire Central Florida area will be hit by that quadrant. We expect 80mph gusts, lots of rain and flooding (I'm not in a flood zone - but houses down the road are)...

I'll be boarding up my windows with pre-cut plywood - well - you know - fill up with gas, get bottled water, batteries, the whole deal. But since it's usually South Florida or the very edge of the east or west coasts which get hit hardest, they are really getting people here to try to take this seriously, since usually people tend to lay back and assume everything will be fine.

One of the worst things is these people don't pick up the debris or shyte in their yards, like toys, garbage cans, flower pots, lawn chairs, etc - and guess where they end up? They become 60mph trajectiles heading right towards your windows or vehicles.

(but the ions in the atmosphere give you a natural high - so I secretly like this)

posted August 12, 2004 05:41 PM              

We already got hit with a violent band from Hurricane Bonnie to the north, but it's eerily peaceful now. Calm before the big storm.

BTW - someone on the radio just said "...and tomorrow's Friday the 13th..."

posted August 12, 2004 06:52 PM              

Am a bit scared, but my granny's inlaws are coming for us tomorrow and we're gonna stay with them since I live in a condo and my granny thinks it's unsafe.

Obviously, it's gonna be a lot worse in Tampa. I didn't hear about that evacuation- holy intercourse!

posted August 12, 2004 07:10 PM            

I live on a barrier island at 2.5 feet elevation and they're expecting storm surge (tide) of 10 to 15 feet. again.

Spent the day making the house watertight to keep water out of the house but if it's a category 3, that's probably been a waste of effort.

Now, they're talking about shutting the bridges down between the mainland and the barrier islands Sat morning at 10am, so I'm going to finish up and get the hell out before they do. It's already a zoo on all the main through streets and highways because they've also called for a mandatory evacuation of Pinellas Country.

This is the projected hurricane path astro junkie and it looks like it's going to pass well North of you. Unless they've screwed up the projections. Good luck!

posted August 12, 2004 07:35 PM              

I just heard a very few minutes ago on the news that it is projected to land (the eye) as a Category 3 for sure, and possibly a Category 4. I've lived around these beasts all my life, and I can read them very well. This is a beast of a different breed. The MF is moving really really fast, and it's picking up strength VERY RAPIDLY.

You heard of water surge of like 10 feet? Well, it is now projected that the water surge could be as high as 20 feet when it hits Tampa, which means, the entire downtown Tampa will be under water. According to the engineers, those buildings are not prepared for that.

posted August 12, 2004 07:41 PM              

This should be interesting. Did I mention I love hurricanes?

It does not mean I do not prepare for them. I'm probably one of the more serious ones around when it comes to that. And it does not mean I have no respect for them, it's the ones who don't have respect who get shafted.

But I'm serious. It's the ions. If you know about all weather conditions, you know what I mean. And having a water fountain creates the same effect too, just not as intense. But it's not just that. It's the whole scene from beginning to end. The preparation, the fear during, and the resolutions after, not to mention the nature aspects of it in itself. The cleansing. The sun out again. The birds are not thirsty anymore. Whatever ...

posted August 12, 2004 08:11 PM              

I mean, they are a bit exciting, but it's horrible. I have Mars in Taurus, so I can be materialistic- I don't want anything to happen to my precious books and photos, etc, those things that you really can't replace, you know?

They are exciting. But then, not. And plus, I already know two very effective ways of producing a safe, natural high that lasts a few minutes =D.

Anywho, I'm going OT, since I'll be pretty far off from the hurricane here in Fort Lauderdale. Still going to get really nasty weather, but yeah.

posted August 12, 2004 08:54 PM              

And I'm not missing a thing
Watching the full moon crossing the range
Riding the storm out

posted August 13, 2004 12:46 AM              

Every single year, no matter what, the Kissimmee (pronounced w/emphasis on SI) - I know - it's cute the first time you try to say it... this place gets hit with tornado's. Every single year. The Disney real estate starts just west of this area. Coincidence? I think not...

The topography where I'm at is at the most northeast edge of Orlando, and there's lots of crapp on the land between here and there to break up wind patterns, plus I basically have two walls surrounding the front, it will be interesting. At the old house, before the tornado hit, I'd known that my corner was prime for circular wind chambers. That's not the case where I'm at, but I'm not slacking either...

Supposed to hit as a Category 3, possibly a 4 now. It's moving really fast ya'll. This is another breed, I'm teling you. If it wasn't nature, I'd think it was a f'ing terrorist attack, rumbling towards that western angle of land just west of me, at a full on 120mph. Maybe they are just posting worst case cuz we got so many old folks here. This is massive.

A part of me could freak, but my attitude is still one of helping anyone I can if necessary.

posted August 13, 2004 01:04 AM              

"... Pockets of superheated gas several times the size of Earth have been discovered swirling like bathtub drains high above the planet.

The vortices seem to suck high-energy particles from the Sun into Earth's otherwise protective magnetic shield ..."

posted August 13, 2004 03:18 PM              

I spent all day up until now boarding up my home. I'm out there like real macho, you know? I'm holding down the fort, and I got my rifle loaded...

There's a lot of preparation. Setting the fridge on to coolest, same with a/c in case the power goes out. On and on...

Well - if I don't make it through - famous last words will be - Thanks for making me Moderator before I died!

posted August 13, 2004 04:07 PM              

The tornado's are being reported as moving along at 30 mph!! That's really fast -

posted August 13, 2004 04:24 PM              

Local news here is marvelling over the fact that Broward and Dade counties are only about 100 miles east from the eye of the storm and we've been having pleasant weather all day. It's a bit windy and choppy, but other than that, we just have a tornado watch and someone's house was hit by a humongous tree in Pompano. I think we're the only counties in Florida that aren't really going to be affected by Charley, maybe besides the panhandle.

posted August 13, 2004 05:11 PM              

Still the calm before the storm where I am, although there's tornado's all over the place, one is moving to the north right now, and will hopefully die out. They always start in the Kissimmee area, like I said.

It will rain on and off, but I hear more thunder approaching. I think it will peak where I am at about 10pm EST. It's worse at night - spookier - and you're in total dark if the power goes out.

Expecting wind gusts of 100mph.