Polk County: Charley-Frances hurricane crossroads of Florida

[Storminole]

It looks like Polk County, FL will again receive a direct hit from the eye of a hurricane--just 23 days after Charley came barreling through. I can't recall two eyes in the same spot within a single hurricane season. Erin and Opal came close in the western FL Panhandle in 1995, but I don't believe their paths crossed.

Polk County, especially the eastern side, received devastating damage from Charley. However they were the focus of little publicity compared to coastal areas (Punta Gorda/Port Charliotte) and metro Orlando. Attractive residential communities like Winter Haven, Lake Wales, and Haines City were tore up by winds in the range of 110-120 mph.

And now once again they are in the bulls eye of a hurricane's path. Below is a graphic of Charley's path--Polk is the large county to the east of Tampa. Right where it looks like Frances will cross an 'x' across this path.

[Terry]

Hoping three times in not the charm. Ivan needs to take a chill and head NE now.