Hellobee Boards

Thankfully I am not, but I lived in Miami for 3 years and am worried sick for my friends still down there.

My mom is preparing to have massive losses at her condo in the keys - unfortunately they were not the last ones there so they have little comfort it was properly secured with the shutters. Thankfully I talked her off the stupid ledge of trying to get there and back this week...

At any rate - I'll be praying not stop for everyone in its path...just awful to have two major storms come through like this.

Yep! We are south of Tampa. Was looking ok but now it looks like it's coming back towards our side. We chose to stay as the thought of being stranded on the interstate with no gas seems like the worse scenario. We shall see.

@littlejoy: It just depends. The newer areas have their lines under ground. But a lot of areas are still above ground so just depends. I have lived here over 20 years and I fully expect the power to go out with this storm. I am hoping it will only be for a few days. But my parents were without power for a week last year after a cat 3(Matthew). I found this map interesting

Yes, central Fl here. And it looked good for us the last few days, but with the track shifting west today we could get a direct hit. Boarding up the house Saturday morning and riding it out, I think we are pretty well stocked, luckily I'm in a small suburb and our stores haven't been as wiped out as the news coverage I'm seeing in the city.

@Jass: you, too! Probably the right call at this point if you aren't right on the coast. We take the turnpike to work in Orlando and north bound has been a disaster for days. So many people on the roads I'm hoping they all make it to safety soon!

Perhaps this is completely common knowledge but it was an "aha" moment for me when I lived through a very small hurricane in Florida.

Leading up to landfall, clean your bathtub or tubs. Then in the hours leading up to landfall fill them with water to use in the days ahead.

Like I said - maybe its totally common sense to those who have lived in these areas your whole live - but it was shockingly simple and smart hack I learned when I was there! (Applies to other types of disasters too!)

@tinyperson: awesome, thanks for that link. I saw the same advice posted on FB, and was wondering if it had any merit..

Ugh! I spoke to my friend who moved to FL last year. She lives in Jupiter and she has evacuated to Port St. Lucia, which is now being evacuated, too. She just had a baby 2.5 weeks ago. When I texted her yesterday, she said airport was closed, and nearby airports have no flights. Lines are super long for gas or sold out and freeways are packed. Hotels are sold out. I asked her if she was trying to head north and she says there's no point because they'll run out of gas and she doesn't want to get stuck somewhere. I'm so heartbroken for her. She's so worried. I can't imagine having to leave my home with a 2.5 week old. I wish there was something more I can do. I did tell her that I have friends out of state in that area but I doubt she will even make it out of FL. I do believe she has shelter as she told me she has food and water and storm shutters are up. Please send her and her family prayers.

ETA: She looked into a flight from Miami to NY and it was $10K for her family of 3. She is now closer to Orlando and she said traffic has died down but there is no gas anywhere. She has to now think about continuing north and the risk of running out of gas or getting in an accident and being stuck in her car.

@bluestriped bee: Wasn't airfare supposed to be capped at certain prices?! Would she be able to find any flights from Orlando? I'm not sure when they are closing that airport.

So, so scary

@bluestriped bee: I'm in Port st lucie only evacuations were islands and mobile homes, we are staying and if she is in a safe house she should a Ok! Prayers!

@FaithFertility: Ok. good. I'm glad to hear she and you should be safe. Please keep me updated on how things are for you. Thanks!

@Mama Bird: yes if you are in an evacuation zone there is a number you can call for help if you need it.

@pinkb: I'm not... just worried for those who are, and I don't understand how anyone expects so many people to safely drive out at the same time.

We decided to leave. Headed to my parents north of Daytona. Traffic is ok and gas is avail.

This comment has been deleted by the original poster.

Thinking of you all! Hope everyone stays safe

We are panhandle and thought we were safe and now it just keeps shifting west and west and west. So we are going up to GA near Macon. Thankfully we snagged a hotel Reservations.

Biggest concern that it hits the gulf and gets strong again. It's down to a 3 now but it lingered over Cuba all day today.

GA is under a state of emergency. First time Atlanta has been under a Tropical Storm warning. My daycare is closed tomorrow.

@Jass: yikes! Glad you're still doing alright.

We've just been having alternating wind and rain. Nothing crazy yet here in west central Fl. The waiting game is just so stressful. Our friends came to our house, her husband is a first responder and has to be on duty for the storm. Curfew here starts at 7pm, hoping that people get off the roads so our friend doesn't have to be a risk more than he needs to be....