Orlando wrote:I haven't read every page of this thread, but would like to know if you all were in Orlando, would you evacuate?
Also, are the people in Orlando putting up plywood on the windows? Are there other ways to secure the windows besides plywood or shutters?
This forum is always so helpful. This is my first major hurricane to go through.
This is from the NWS in Melbourne, specifically for Orlando:
- CURRENT THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY: HIGH
- THE WIND THREAT HAS REMAINED NEARLY STEADY FROM THE
PREVIOUS ASSESSMENT.
- EMERGENCY PLANS SHOULD INCLUDE A REASONABLE THREAT FOR
HURRICANE FORCE WIND OF 74 TO 110 MPH OF EQUIVALENT
CATEGORY 1 TO 2 INTENSITY.
- TO BE SAFE, AGGRESSIVELY PREPARE FOR THE POTENTIAL OF
EXTENSIVE WIND IMPACTS. REMAINING EFFORTS TO SECURE
PROPERTIES SHOULD NOW BE BROUGHT TO COMPLETION.
- DANGEROUS AND LIFE THREATENING WIND IS POSSIBLE. FAILURE TO
ADEQUATELY SHELTER MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR LOSS OF
LIFE. MOVE TO SAFE SHELTER BEFORE THE WIND BECOMES
HAZARDOUS.
- POTENTIAL IMPACTS: EXTENSIVE
- CONSIDERABLE ROOF DAMAGE TO STURDY BUILDINGS, WITH SOME
HAVING WINDOW, DOOR, AND GARAGE DOOR FAILURES LEADING TO
STRUCTURAL DAMAGE. MOBILE HOMES SEVERELY DAMAGED, WITH SOME
DESTROYED. DAMAGE ACCENTUATED BY AIRBORNE PROJECTILES.
LOCATIONS MAY BE UNINHABITABLE FOR WEEKS.
- MANY LARGE TREES SNAPPED OR UPROOTED ALONG WITH FENCES AND
ROADWAY SIGNS BLOWN OVER.
- SOME ROADS IMPASSABLE FROM LARGE DEBRIS, AND MORE WITHIN
URBAN OR HEAVILY WOODED PLACES. SEVERAL BRIDGES, CAUSEWAYS,
AND ACCESS ROUTES IMPASSABLE.
- LARGE AREAS WITH POWER AND COMMUNICATIONS OUTAGES.
Just asked for clarification. Someone brought the graphic to my attention which was very helpful. I can see that clearly now. 
