I know that storms can be fun and exciting.
I have been anticipating every storm that has threatened in the past 25 years I've lived here.
Charley was my first "direct hit". Did no boarding up, just got batteries, water, dry ice, food, and gas. Had minor shingle and tree debris damage, personally.
I started boarding up on Monday, finished my Mom's house in Volusia at 3am-by myself.
Endured shortages plywood, gas, food and hardware, traffic tempers...
I am mildly "disappointed" at strength drop..
BUT breathing a bit better.
This is still a very serious situation.
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=FLZ053&warncounty=FLC097&local_place1=Saint+Cloud&product1=HURRICANE+WARNING
"HURRICANE LOCAL STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MELBOURNE FL
238 PM EDT FRI SEP 3 2004
<snip>...WIND IMPACTS...
THE WIND THREAT TO EAST CENTRAL FLORIDA IS MUCH GREATER FOR PARTS OF
EAST CENTRAL FLORIDA THAN WHAT WAS EXPERIENCED WITH HURRICANE
CHARLEY. THE MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS WITH FRANCES ARE NEAR 115 MPH.
ALTHOUGH SLIGHTLY WEAKER THAN BEFORE...FRANCES IS STILL A MAJOR
HURRICANE...WITH SOME INCREASE IN INTENSITY POSSIBLE."