Hey Tampa/St. Pete...Get In Your Car and Start Driving...

[Sean in New Orleans]

...until you reach New Orleans and watch the storm here safely. We have live reporters from our local television stations in Tampa/St. Pete reporting from your area. Come on over and enjoy the beautiful lows the next couple of days in the mid 60's in the City and crystal clear blue skies, low humidity, breezy days with highs in the mid 80's!! Take a stroll in the quarter, eat beignets, take a riverboat ride, go to Six Flags, AND watch the Olympics from your hotel room where you WILL have electricity and WON'T be in the dark!!! Stay safe, get out now, and come on over and watch Charley where you are safe!! DON'T BE CAUGHT IN THE DARK FOR DAYS...YOU WILL BE SORRY YOU DIDN'T LEAVE!!! It's not too late! Come on over and relax!!

[Sean in New Orleans]

And don't forget....not only will you be in the dark, but, you will have no internet either (even laptops)!!!

[soonertwister]

That's a very unwise statement to make. We are looking at a projected landfall in roughly 29 hours that could be sooner if the storm speeds up. We have a very powerful hurricane rapidly approaching the Florida west coast, and the authorities are stating in no uncertain terms that people should evacuate to the east, NOT NORTH OR SOUTH.

Anyone who is foolish enough to try to evacuate to the north runs the risk of getting caught in impossible traffic, possibly to the point of having to ride out the hurricane in whatever shelter you can find.

Very bad idea. Nobody along the central/southern west coast of Florida should even harbor the thought of evacuating to the north. There isn't enough time to deal with the possible contingencies of what could rapidly become a very serious life-threatening crisis.

Do what the authorities tell you people, don't be stupid. If you want to ride this one out at your own risk, that is your choice. But the chances are pretty good for a lot of people on the west side of Florida that if they choose to stay, they could be dealing with an unprecedently nightmarish aftermath for a lot of weeks to come. Does anyone really want to risk dealing with that?

[Sean in New Orleans]

It's not unwise....Bonnie is leaving as fast as she has arrived and thousands have time to get out on the interstate. I've been through many of these systems and no when it is unsafe to leave. In fact, if Bonnie were directly over New Orleans we would still be open for commerce--banks, City Hall, and everything. This storm is a dangerous hurricane and it's not too late to leave. I KNOW when it's not safe. I'm not dumb. The time to leave is now. These people are going to have no electricity probably until the middle of next week with this hurricane. They need to leave and flee to safety.

[Sean in New Orleans]

And your saying stay there when the news everywhere is reporting that hundreds of thousands have been ordered to leave. That's why I recommended New Orleans...I'm not trying to be funny are put anyone in harms way. My suggestion is a wise one, IMO. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,128765,00.html

[Pebbles]

They are in the key's and not leaving..and toasting the Charley!!! *boggles* DOH..*sighs and shrugs her shoulders helplessly and GIVES UP*

[soonertwister]

And your saying stay there when the news everywhere is reporting that hundreds of thousands have been ordered to leave. That's why I recommended New Orleans...I'm not trying to be funny are put anyone in harms way. My suggestion is a wise one, IMO. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,128765,00.html

Please learn to read, then come back and read my post again. I said nothing about whether people should stay or leave, but I did say to follow the instructions of your local authorities.

BTW, those hundreds of thousands who have been asked to evacuate have not been told to evacuate far away, but only as far as it takes to get to high ground. Obviously that means solid shelter on high ground.

It doesn't mean New Orleans. There will be enough idiots as it is gridlocking the N-S corridors of the Florida west coast, so there's no reason to encourage others to do the same thing.

And you say you know how long it takes to evacuate? I call bs on that. Do you know how many people live in Florida? Do you know how limited their evacuation routes are? Are you aware of possible changing conditions in Florida, such as roads blocked by accidents or by bad weather or by traffic?

You are willing to second-guess the local authorities, who are saying evacuate but don't go far, and don't waste time getting there.

You are a menace.

[c5Camille]

whatever... keep in mind that if tampa gets hit by a c3 - c4 storm they won't let you back in there for 3 to 5 days anyway...

[mf_dolphin]

The problem in Pinalles County is that there are 4 routes via bridges and only one real land route out to the North. On a good day it can be terrible. The bridges may close due to the approaches being very close to the water. Here the best advise is to get to high ground and hunker down. That's exactly what we're doing.

[Mattie]

With all due respect after my family insisted on running from hurricanes (east or west) - we have only been successful when we headed north! Unfortunately north in Florida leaves few roads out of town. Effects and devastation of a hurricane can be felt and occur many miles inland. Spending the majority of my life 150 miles max off the coast, we certainly saw our share of damage and destruction from the after affects - not the landfall.

Whereever you choose to go - go and go safely as we all watch and pray for the safety of all along the coast and any of those who will feel the effect of this massive storm.

[c5Camille]

we went to New York for camille... stayed for 2 weeks...
let them get the roads cleared and power on...

went to Nashville for Frederic... stayed for a week...

went to Jackson for Elana... stayed for a month... (lost house)

[Lindaloo]

soonertwister, you need to calm down and stop with the name calling. Sean's post is harmless.

[Janie34]

we went to New York for camille... stayed for 2 weeks...
let them get the roads cleared and power on.

I'd say you certainly got out of her way! Heh, we went to Hattiesburg and still encountered 120 mph winds. For those not familiar with Mississippi, Hattiesburg is about 66 miles off the coast.

For Frederic, we went to Meridian and darned if he didn't follow us! High winds and tornadoes popping all around.

For Elena, same deal, we went to Meridian and weathered the storm okay.

[Sean in New Orleans]

We usually head to Jackson, MS and stay with relatives that have a large home and can easily accomodate many of us. My only point with the original post was that New Orleans is a safe haven for this storm and we do have a live connection from here for those that would be concerned about home. I also know how terrible and boring it is to be without power. The first 6 hours are exciting and then you are ready for it to return. I only hope everyone stays safe and it's concerning to hear that Tampa doesn't really have much protection with levees and floodwalls from the storm surge. If you have to stay, just make sure you have plenty of batteries--these have proven to be the one thing I was glad I had (along with munchies and water) when without power in these systems for an extended period.

[medic8ed]

I just saw a shot of the bridges leaving St. Pete/Clearwater on local TV --
already at a complete standstill. If I didn't have too leave, and hadn't left
yet, I'm not sure I would go. I'm close to the coast, but I'm riding it out.
Better here than on the highway, I figure.

[WXextreme]

And your saying stay there when the news everywhere is reporting that hundreds of thousands have been ordered to leave. That's why I recommended New Orleans...I'm not trying to be funny are put anyone in harms way. My suggestion is a wise one, IMO. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,128765,00.html

Please learn to read, then come back and read my post again. I said nothing about whether people should stay or leave, but I did say to follow the instructions of your local authorities.

BTW, those hundreds of thousands who have been asked to evacuate have not been told to evacuate far away, but only as far as it takes to get to high ground. Obviously that means solid shelter on high ground.

It doesn't mean New Orleans. There will be enough idiots as it is gridlocking the N-S corridors of the Florida west coast, so there's no reason to encourage others to do the same thing.

And you say you know how long it takes to evacuate? I call bs on that. Do you know how many people live in Florida? Do you know how limited their evacuation routes are? Are you aware of possible changing conditions in Florida, such as roads blocked by accidents or by bad weather or by traffic?

You are willing to second-guess the local authorities, who are saying evacuate but don't go far, and don't waste time getting there.

You are a menace.

Sean, pay him no mind he must be just another Pissed off Sooner fan!

[soonertwister]

No comment.

[Janie34]

Besides, everyone knows it just about takes a major hurricane to shut the Quarter down.

[bevgo]

Janie 34--For Frederic I was working in an emergency department of a hospital in Meridian. It was a really bad night. I had a lady from Mobile in the ER having an anxiety attack--that wasn't you was it? LOL. My home in Meridian was without power for 7 days. Trees falling in the yard took the power box off the side of the house. We were in the last group to have oower restored.

[Mattie]

c5Camille - we probably passed in the night! I've lost track of the ones we out ran - but we did also land in TN for one that was predicted to hit Gulf Shores (we were on vacation from Louisiana). That was a two week trip . . . . Most were overnight and we came home to usually not much happening - a few twigs, etc. in the yard. But again, better safe than sorry. And we were right up there with the midnight evacuation crowd . . . awakened in the middle of the night to go get in the car. My parents continued to outrun them after I was grown - 1984 (Frederic?) they headed to Jackson. I remained at home with a new baby because I couldn't be gone from work.

My daughter was in college a couple of years ago at Southeastern in Hammond when the big one was forecast and then fizzled out. Even she took off in the middle of the night after stern warnings NOT to hit the road - drove all the way to Dallas as fast as she could (including a speeding ticket going 94 mph). It must be in the genes and I passed her grandmother's fear onto her. LOL My parents are now too old to run, so I pray at least for the next 10 years that they are not threatened with a big one coming up the mouth of the Mississippi at New Orleans!

As to the post for shutting the Quarter down - I was watching webcams, etc. a couple of years ago when they were forecast to get hit - and it was deserted at that time. That was QUITE an eerie site!

We can all laugh about it now, because we are all safe - enjoying our travel adventures, etc. and swapping stories. But realistically, it is a very scary time when a major hurricane is upon you. Godspeed and safety to those in the path of Charley.