To all those that wish they hadn't missed it

[Downdraft]

It's been 3 weeks now. First Charley at 28 mph and 100 mph winds. Now Frances with hour after hour of the endless roaring of the wind. So many say I want to go through a hurricane I want to experience it. I hope this storm or that one comes this way. No you don't your misguided. No one wants to see the anger of these storms the power they have the misery they produce. Be careful what you wish for; days with out power, no water to bathe with, to cook with. Trees on houses, snakes of wire dancing in the streets with thousands of volts of electricy running through them, homes turned to toothpicks. The unrelenting rain the constant roar of the wind. I've been through 2 in 3 weeks and anyone that wants to experience one is welcome to use my house for the next one because I won't be in it.

[Doc Seminole]

My home will be available for the next one too. Rent Free!

[tampastorm]

Could not agree more, after seeing what this rather "weak" storm did to the Tampa Bay area, a major storm would without question wipe Tampa Bay off the map. I do not want to be anywhere around if and when that happens!!!!

[tronbunny]

Add one "next door to the Mouse".
But, I'm gonna have to ask for rent, after all, the going rate here is $600 per week.
If Ivan can act like Frances, I could get the full $600, that could pay for gas.

[Ziplock48]

Hello, Downdraft,
I read you loud and clear. You put it across with plain language, and the message couldn't be more direct..."you can have my house, because I won't be in it".

I, and my family, are ready for this to be over! We got nothing from Charley (awwwww, shucks...right? not even a few squalls) but here in Jacksonville, we are getting a seemingly never ending feederband. The storms keep training over us, and look to continue the rest of the evening. That's all day Saturday, all day Sunday, all day today and tonight as well. Still I can only imagine how those people on tiny San Salvador Island in the Bahamas must have felt when they got F's full force as long as they did.

As much as I love watching the wind kick the waves over the seawall on the St. John's River, everyone is so worn out by this relentless wind. The constant tornado warnings...we have had too many this evening....I have lost count. One went just a half mile to the west of us, another less than a mile to the east, then two more warnings for twisters to the south of us and "racing north at 45mph". three warnings just when it got too dark to see.

Blech Blechk Bleck Bleck! Blickity Blick!

I don't think I can stand a big buildup for Ivan. I think I can safely say I speak for thousands of Floridians when I say that. And the crews that give so generously to come from thousands of miles away to help restore electricity, and more...what if they suffer rescuer burnout? We depend so much upon the generosity of others.

I wish to thank everyone who is coming to Florida's aid. We have the gift of living in paradise, and we get help from people who do not live in this beautiful state. I choose to live here, because I love it so much, but it is a choice. Is it really right to expect others to pick up the pieces when nature destroys my stuff? I don't know. This is going to be a real big mess, and F isn't done yet. I pray we don't see a flood event in Georgia and points north...but I just don't see how it won't happen.

I hope all the rest of the storms this season are fish! Let them break intensity records! Let's see another annular hurricane! Just please, don't let them strike populated areas. Amen.

I just had to vent. The wind is still howling outside, and my nerves are starting to fray at both ends and in the middle.
Zip

[scogor]

We have also seen enough from our visit to Charlotte County and the videos from Tampa today (pretty severe water intrusion into its downtown from a Tropical Storm that didn't even approach from the GOM) to know that if a major hurricane (such as Charley) is on its way to my home, it won't find me there!! No problems with Frances as we got about what we expected--36 hours of winds and intermittent rains. Went to Lido Beach this evening--one of Sarasota's barrier islands--incredible wave action (almost never witnessed on our GOM beaches), a steady 20-25 mph wind from the south and great shelling!! Then got home to find a message from my daughter in Gainesville who is now without power, thanks to Frances...