Not taking Wilma Seriously enough??

[chadtm80]

While reading the boards it seems people are not taking Wilma to serious at this point.. Seems like now that everyone has seen Katrina and Rita and how strong and devistating they where you all think Wilma will be "easy"... Lets not be foolish.. 100mph cane is still a serious situation. If you are in the path take her SERIOUSLY because I assure you.. SHE IS serious.

Stay safe and God Bless

[jlauderdal]

While reading the boards it seems people are not taking Wilma to serious at this point.. Seems like now that everyone has seen Katrina and Rita and how strong and devistating they where you all think Wilma will be "easy"... Lets not be foolish.. 100mph cane is still a serious situation. If you are in the path take her SERIOUSLY because I assure you.. SHE IS serious.

Stay safe and God Bless

preps are rather limited in sofla, katrina preps were basically nil down here. everyone buys food, beer and snacks but shutters are rare.

[BreinLa]

Thank you Chad, you are so right. This is my cajun two cents here. Take her seriously, Lili and I didn't get along at all a few years ago, she got my trees, fence and whatever else she wasnt much more than this one and she hit during the day, not fun at all. Stay safe all and please listen to local and state authorities, if they say get out GET OUT

[Hurricaneman]

Well said Chad, your right. people tend to forget the seriousness of a cat 2 or even 3 when storms like Katrina and Rita destroyed lives and alot of property

[Terry]

That is a good reminder, Chad.

Polk County had 3 minimum canes last year and people had trees on their homes (tarps for months and months) and no power for days (some for weeks)!

[feederband]

I think there will be a bunch of people saying nobody told us it would be that strong....A strong Cat 2 is a kick A** storm,,people think because it is not a Major that it is no big deal....

[wzrgirl1]

My neighborhood is taking things seriously albeit a little slow but finally today most people that have shutters have them up.

[cape_escape]

I agree 100% Chad! Thank you for bringing this to the attention of everyone! Many of my neighbors still think this will be nothing.

[krysof]

I hope this will not come back to haunt them, if many people don't take it seriously, then we could be talking a dozen deaths or more.

[NCHurricane]

Excellant post and reminder.

Putting it in perspective, Opheila earlier this season never made landfall in NC, was "only" a category 1 with 85MPH winds (gusts to 100), but still caused over 20 million dollars in damage.

Wilma is stronger and will probably get stronger, and WILL (barring some intervention by God Himself) cross the FL coast somewhere.

Be safe, be smart and be prepared. Take this situation very seriously if you aren't.

Chuck
http://www.nchurricane.com

[wxcrazytwo]

While reading the boards it seems people are not taking Wilma to serious at this point.. Seems like now that everyone has seen Katrina and Rita and how strong and devistating they where you all think Wilma will be "easy"... Lets not be foolish.. 100mph cane is still a serious situation. If you are in the path take her SERIOUSLY because I assure you.. SHE IS serious.

Stay safe and God Bless

You know Chad, I think the Tampa area shares those feelings. When I was living in Mulberry/Lakeland I got smacked by all three canes with two of them I saw the eye. It was ugly and dangerous. People need to heed these warnings because it will get scary. Chad, thanks for really advising these people on the boards that Wilma will be a pistol whipper..

[WeatherEmperor]

Yeah in my Crystal Sound community, there are a fair amount of homes with shutters up or that are currently going up. I have those acordian type shutters so I can slide them all shut within like 10-15 min so Im gonna slide them later on this afternoon.

<RICKY>

[southerngale]

It seems that many people will take a severe thunderstorm warning with very heavy rain and 60mph gusts more serious than a 100mph hurricane with higher gusts and torrential rain. Any hurricane is serious business and 100mph winds are nothing to brush off. Also, don't forget that no matter what the official forecast is, the intensity can fluctuate and it could go in stronger than anticipated.

[Wacahootaman]

Imagine if Wilma stregthened to a solid cat 3 and the eye went down the overseas highway from Key West to Key Largo!

Most canes cross the keys from roughly southeast to northwest. A cat 3 cane that runs its eye down the length of the Keys would be a major disaster!

Most people in the Keys didnt evacuate and all of the keys are super succeptible to storm surge damage.

There are even ocean front trailer parks that would be wiped out in a 5 ft storm surge.

[LAwxrgal]

I agree Chad, excellent point.

A Cat 1 or 2 hurricane is nothing to play around with.

Prayers to all in Wilma's path.

[gpickett00]

put the shutters up and dont forget to get enough beer to last you 3-5 days

[deltadog03]

you better take this seriously....this...IMO...could suprise folks like charley did....she may out run the serious shear...

[Rainband]

Everyone has been warned and told how to prepare. Hopefully everyone takes this Storm seriously. Listen to the advice of your local officials. God Speed to everyone in the Path. Take Care.

[cjrciadt]

My major in my area now is that of tornado's. This is far larger than Charley and the potential is there for many to form very quickly.

[havok100]

Here in Miami Beach, it has been a beautiful day. A few friends and I went body surfing and it is still sunny out. It seems like everyone is taking it in stride. Most condo buildings have their shutters closed. Well see tomorrow how hard we get slapped. Best of luck to everyone. I'll stay safe and keep you all informed.