mellow out

[opera ghost]

You also have to consider the city. I wouldn't stay in New Orleans for a direct hit with a tropical storm... But I might hang around longer in SC (where they seem to get hit more often and seem to keep surviving)

Damage from Allison was extreme in Houston- but I was never in danger. It all depends on the city, the storm, and the landfall

[seaswing]

Lived here all my life. I am 60 miles east of Cedar Key...... inland yes, but out of harms way, no. There is no need for panic but to be alert is a necessity! These storms have been known to come very fast, then wobble.... when they do that, the ones who thought they were totally safe and out of harms way, get it directly. If it is a cat 1-2, inlanders will need to be prepared not only for lots of water, but high winds and the potential threat for tornados (which seem to be the biggest threat for inland storms). I agree, people are too complacent in Florida for the most part, especially on the Gulf coast cause it hasn't happened like this in a very long time. BE PREPARED...because we are WAY OVER DUE for this!

[adelphi_sky]

I don't like the looks of the 5 day forcast track. Brings Charley right up through the DC area as still a tropical storm. The last tropical storm that blew through here, Isadore, put a tree on my house.

[caneman]

yes, many areas on the West coast of FLorida are level one or two. A Cat. 4 or 5 would turn Pinellas County into two seprate islands.

I assume that evacuations for Cat. 1 or 2 storms are mainly because of surge and flooding, not winds?

Yes. Storm Surge is a big problem here.