CONFUSED HERE IN MELBOURNE

[chris_fit]

Tracks keep shifting south... HUrricane is moving more and more north.

Everyone says its gonna intensify but it looks like crap on satelite.

Are we lucking out? What do the Pro Mets think of this?

Just curious still don't know what do here in melbourne.

[yoda]

You should Already be prepared!

[chris_fit]

Let me clarify, still dont know whether I should leave (1.5 miles from water) or ride it out in my apt.

~Chris

[Lowpressure]

Melbourne is as much a threat as it gets, as of right now. YODA is correct you should already be prepared.

[mf_dolphin]

It seems pretty simple Chris. You are well within the cone so get ready. If you're in a low lying area or close to the coast get out. I don't know why you say it looks like crap because to me it looks like a 140MPH hurricane. Remember it doesn't have to be pretty to kill. Frances will wobble north and south of the projected track but until it's gone don't worry about the point, worry about the cone.

[chadtm80]

uhhh.. The answer would be you should of left this morning.. But since you havent LEAVE NOW

[yoda]

LEAVE NOW IF YOU CAN!!

[Brent]

Uh... the NHC track puts you 30 miles from the center of the eye in the WORST QUADRANT. Hurricane Force Winds(74 mph or greater) go out 80 miles, and may be larger when it hits.

It may be too late to leave. It's going to be at least a Cat 3 at landfall.

[chris_fit]

I plan on leaving when there is a cat4 50 miles off my coast. Thats what it looked like last night but now I dont know.

I remember during Charley there was NO ONE on the road at that time. So I'm sure if i needed to I could haul butt outa here.

[KeyLargoDave]

Chris,
I've been telling people to think carefully about evactuating, not just do it because everyone is.

1.5 miles from the water isn't what's important, it's elevation, baby. Be sure you know if your location is in a county-designated evacuation zone. If your area is given an evacuation order, you should follow it.

The best thing is to identify a shelter that's not far away, and have a plan to move there today or tomorrow morning. If you have to go further, leave sooner.

If you wind up on the north side or very near the eye, the flooding could be very significant, cut off your escape route, and drown you in your home.

I would be nervous about staying in an apartment unless I was on the ground floor and there were shutters on the windows. Wind is higher on the 2nd and higher floors, and it could be very unpleasant and even deadly to stay in a place where the windows are going to blow out, if you are projected to get over tropical storm-force winds.

So there is no one answer. Stay informed and stay safe.

[opera ghost]

LEAVE if at all possible! Good god man- do you really want a gamble with mother nature?

[Downdraft]

I know Melbourne Chris. GET OUT now.

[chris_fit]

I am on the first floor in a 2story apt.

Maybe 5-6 years old. Windows are ok I am worried about the glass doors to patio... I will prolly put a matress across that door if i stay or before i leave.

I dont know if I'm in a flood area. How can I find out? No one knows here.

[chadtm80]

I plan on leaving when there is a cat4 50 miles off my coast. Thats what it looked like last night but now I dont know.

I remember during Charley there was NO ONE on the road at that time. So I'm sure if i needed to I could haul butt outa here.

Famous last words Chris

[Raider Power]

What do you gain by staying? Are you required to go to work tomorrow? If not, then why stay if your employer is not requiring you to stay? What makes staying for a Category 3 storm or below palatable for you? Maybe you should read Sudduth's account of his experience with Charley. Frankly, I can see no good reason to stay, an honestly, it sounds to me you want to stay to prove you can ride out a major hurricane.

Apologies if I am too harsh.

[chris_fit]

What do you gain by staying? Are you required to go to work tomorrow? If not, then why stay if your employer is not requiring you to stay? What makes staying for a Category 3 storm or below palatable for you? Maybe you should read Sudduth's account of his experience with Charley. Frankly, I can see no good reason to stay, an honestly, it sounds to me you want to stay to prove you can ride out a major hurricane.

Apologies if I am too harsh.

I know I should leave. But I'm a 2nd year Met Major at FIT and this is what I have been waiting for to expirience my whole life. I actually chased Charley till there were branches flying at my car. (My home is in Sarasota during summer and no school). I should be ok. If it looks like cat4-5 heading right for me I WILL LEAVE.

[Pebbles]

How about you see a rattle snake in your room...would you leave it there because someone tells you leave it alone.... it looks calm and harmless to you and might go away and not hurt you?

IF you sat under a tree to eat lunch and then noticed a hive of killer bee's 2 feet from you....would you stay there just because they haven't attacked you yet and might not? ....would you stand in that spot for 2 hours mightest well 10 minutes deciding what to do?

I wouldn't!!!!! The situation is honestly...no different. Mother Nature doesn't care what any of us think or hope ....she just does her thing!

[chadtm80]

Then why did you ask us chris if you had no intentions of leaving?

[AlexiBlue]

People die from TROPICAL STORMS. Saying you won't leave unless a Cat 3 or 4 headed your way is like saying you won't leave until a blindfolded person with a gun is standing 1 foot in front of you rather than 5 feet in front of you.

[chris_fit]

Then why did you ask us chris if you had no intentions of leaving?

But I do if it's knockin on my door. Everything was pointing to that last night. I found a few shelters I can go to in the area or just drive back to Sarasota. But I think it's going to go farther north and far weaker and wanted some opinions. I see that Everyone thinks I'm wrong so I will defintely be weary.