What could i expect here in Boca Raton?

[Hurricanegurl56]

im just curious

[inotherwords]

It will depend on where the storm makes landfall, but you can expect hurricane force winds if you are within 70 miles of the center of the storm, tropical storm force winds extend about 200 miles of the center. The closer to the center, the stronger the winds, which are now at Category 3 strength and could be stronger by landfall. At this point NHC has the storm coming in up around Ft. Pierce/Vero, but the entire east coast is at risk. Best to keep up with the most current advisories at noaa.org and see how the storm is tracking.

[Downdraft]

Look at the Skeetobite maps. You should expect a hurricane. You've got about 5 hours or less to figure that out. Sorry for being blunt but this is NOT the time to be wondering it's the time to get prepared.

[Hurricanegurl56]

oh i am prepared...veryyy prepared..im just wondering what might go on around me

[cat]

This may get nasty. Here's the deal:

The storm is centered at 26.6 now. That puts it coming in between Lake Worth and Lantana, give or take IF it stays due west. It seems to be inching northward so it very well may come in further north. Of course, this may change. I'll remind you of what happened in Andrew - it took that half degree jog towards the south before landfall. That was the difference between a hit in Miami and Homestead/South Miami. So a simple half degree move makes a big difference.

Since hurricane force winds extend outwards about 70 miles, it probably means you are in the loop for at least tropical force winds and perhaps even sustained hurricane force winds. There are a couple of variables that won't be known until it actually gets right offshore. Namely:

Will it stay on a more westerly path or head further north?

Will it strengthen more or not?

I'm south of you in Ft. Lauderdale. Having gone through Andrew, I *always* prep for a direct hit when those come into the neighborhood. It's a win win scenario. If it comes, I'm prepared. If it doesn't I'm prepared for the next one. I would NOT want to be staring at a cat 3 or greater storm without being prepared.

If this comes in at Boca as a strong 3, I would suspect it isn't going to be a whole lot of fun for you and your neighbors.

That being said, I know people who left North Miami to go "ride out" Andrew in South Miami.

Bottom line: do the best job you can to prepare and keep an eye on what's going on. Good luck.