Hey South Florida

[Myersgirl]

In advance of Charley
The NHC focused on Tampa (and the big bend area) while we waited on our "tropical storm force winds" here in SW FL. ( Or at least that was our perception) Within an hour of a cat 4 landfall, we got the word, "get in your closet and put your mattress on your head!!" Take care now, changes come quick, especially when huricanes come up the coast instead of perpendicular to it.

[Canelaw99]

Good post, and unfortunate that you had to go through it to remind us.

[T'Bonz]

I know. My folks live in Naples and I was cursing out the NHC during Charley, because it was too late for them to evacuate by the time they decided where it would go.

Same thing will happen here, an hour before it hits, they'll "know". *sigh*

[Myersgirl]

This storm, because of it's size will be even more important than ever to look at the "big picture" . Some people will be shocked at their perception of where the storm is going and what REALLY happens. been there, done that!

[Anonymous]

In advance of Charley
The NHC focused on Tampa (and the big bend area) while we waited on our "tropical storm force winds" here in SW FL. ( Or at least that was our perception) Within an hour of a cat 4 landfall, we got the word, "get in your closet and put your mattress on your head!!" Take care now, changes come quick, especially when huricanes come up the coast instead of perpendicular to it.

Myersgirl, I must have been somewhere else like on another planet because on my planet there was a Hurricane Warning for SW Florida, & that means hurricane conditions are expected with 24 hrs. A hurricane warning isn't a tropical storm warning. Plus the inland counties that were raked by Charley were under inland hurricane wind warnings.

Everyone is always looking for a scapegoat. Fact is people were watching TV out of Tampa where the media is focused and didn't pay enough attention to the local goverments who were taking the same type of actions as goverments in the Tampa area.

Denial, doesn't work. The models continued to indicate that one possible route was a landfall near Cape Coral to Punta Gorda. On my planet thats what happened, the NHC did a good job on this. Not much one can do to stay safe in mobile homes or old inland homes. A cat 4 will take them out even if you were paying attention to the warnings for Lee, Charlotte, & Monroe County. Because they sure were issued just like points further north in the Hurricane warning.

Mike

[Myersgirl]

Mike, I guess you did not get the jest of my post. Our area had warning for a cat 1 possible cat 2 hurricane (if we were in the direct path). Yes my "planet " was not expecting a cat 2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Myersgirl]

Mike, I guess you did not get the jest of my post. Our area had warning for a cat 1 possible cat 2 hurricane (if we were in the direct path). Yes my "planet " was not expecting a cat 4!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Lebowsky]

I'm in Tampa but I'll spend part of tomorrow preparing on the assumption it will come through here ... and if looks like it will hit us hard, I'll be at the shelter in a flash.

Charley scared me bad, I don't take anything for granted anymore.