It has been 10 years since we had a hurricane

[Thunderbolt]

everyone go buy bottled water and clean out the milk and bread before the weekend.

[Bert AKA,Valkaholic]

Most Of The People Preparing For Hurricane Erika Probably Aren't Floridians!
This Running Out To Buy Water ,Can Goods, And Batteries Has Somewhat Turned Into A Shopping Holiday For The Retail Stores.
The True Floridian Gets Some Cash Out Of The Bank,Tidies Up Around The House And Puts Few Boards On The Windows, Takes A Road Trip To An Unknown Destination, Returns Home After The Storm And Assesses The Damage ! Then You Spend Money Fixing The Damage If Needed .

[IamGCW]

Takes A Road Trip To An Unknown Destination,

Hey Burt a hurricane ride, rain suits optional.  Sounds fun.   Good idea. 

Gil

[Pappy!]

This may only hit as a Cat 1
For the center of the state that means just a nice breeze and no mosquitos for a change.

Lesa is heading up to Western Tenn. to see her Mom ...... We could all follow her!

[FloridaValkRyder]

I'm scared and I'm moving to Arizona...probably tomorrow..

[_Sheffjs_]

Ironically enough I lived directly on the intercostal waterway in Osprey during hurricane Elena and it has some interesting similarities so far to Erika.  Elena brought a lot of serious damage to the coast and it was a good distance from the eye.  It was a serious storm.   




Erika

[darksidemxer]

Lol i am packing my rain gear and my 30inch bar chainsaw. Im ready to go to work monday/tuesday i love the hurricanes, givesme an excuse to use my toys lol

[Thunderbolt]

Jeff I know that was tongue in cheek.  But like Bert said there might be some new ex-snowbirds living here now.

[John Schmidt]

Don't forget the toilet paper, almost as important as food. Basically....if you buy a lot of food, you need to buy a lot of TP. When we had those hurricanes in '04, Charlie went right over the house, did just shy of $100k in damages. When the next one was headed this way a short time later, we buttoned up and headed for Tallahassee. Two nights in Tally and realized it was coming straight for us again. So, we called Rita's sister in Columbus, OH and told her to change the sheets, we'd be there in less than 24 hrs. Got home a couple weeks later, no additional damage. We had one lamp on the back patio that never moved an inch during the time Charlie was blowing through at ~105mph. If we have another 'cane, I'm sitting next to that lamp while it blows through. 

[Bronxboy]

I am always prepared anyway, hey I am Italian we always have 3 refrigerators and there always stocked    I hope this wont ruin our ride on Saturday.

I think I probably recruited a few more riders from the bike night in Wesley Chapel...will see.

[_Sheffjs_]

Weather looks good for tomorrow as I see it.   

[DD]

got water, p-nut butter, jelly, bread, cereal, ice cream and alcohol.  I'm ready!!   
ya all keep safe.    

[Tropic traveler]

Ironically enough I lived directly on the intercostal waterway in Osprey during hurricane Elena and it has some interesting similarities so far to Erika.  Elena brought a lot of serious damage to the coast and it was a good distance from the eye.  It was a serious storm.  




Erika

I have some very vivid memories of Elena too!
I lived in Hernando County back then, the damn thing just parked itself for 3 days or so on Labor Day Weekend right off the coast!  

[John Schmidt]

got water, p-nut butter, jelly, bread, cereal, ice cream and alcohol.  I'm ready!!   
ya all keep safe.    

OK, where's the TP?   

[FloridaValkRyder]

Jeff I know that was tongue in cheek.  But like Bert said there might be some new ex-snowbirds living here now.

You're right Terry, and I was kidding, I hate the desert actually. Everyone should have an emergency kit and just stay informed and heed the warnings. I have traveled to quite a few hurricanes when I was with the FD, I ran the Special Operations Team. This one is looking like it will fall apart right now, but you never know. Andrew was the worst thing I had ever experienced. We went in literally hours after the winds quit blowing. Way too many folks failed to prepare for even the basic necessities of food and water...and yes John, TP. The devastation was unprecedented. My best advice is to PAY ATTENTION and start preparing for whatever comes our way.

[John Schmidt]

I remember Charlie. It was supposed to go north following the west coast somewhat like is predicted with this one, pretty much the same path so far. But Charlie didn't listen and cut back across the state, cutting a rather wide path of destruction. After more than 150 miles over land it still hit us with winds over 100mph in central Florida, this one can do the same thing if upper level currents are right. Hold your breath, this ain't over yet.

[Grumpy]

Charlie, that blasted storm chased me around the state, predicted to hit here, so we went to a friend in Winter Haven. Blast changed course, went to Orlando, damn headed there. Ended up going across the state to Crystal river area then home.  But it was a beast, had a friend who lived outside of Punta Gorda, his subdivision had 234 homes, after 2 left standing. Looked like an A-bomb had been dropped there.  Made me a believe in not living any where near the coast.

[flsix]

A friend of ours owned a mobil home park in Punta Gorda. Charley went through it and devastated it. Helped him with a little of the clean up so he could at least get vehicles through the roads.
What a mess. Trees down. Screen room screws were everywhere. Tires were taking a beating. No power, no water. Lots of fun.
He sold it in June this year after a lot of rebuilding.

[BF]

My number one tip before leaving is to......wash the dog. 

I'll just pick up anything that's laying around outside that might get wind-born, but other than that, hit the ATM and get out of the way. 

Then after I think it's passed, I'll call the home phone to see if the answering machine picks up.  If it picks up, I'll know that we have power on...if the answering machine doesn't pick up, I'll just stay another day at a Hilton, or where ever I find myself. 

[darksidemxer]

I remember way back when those 3 hit us. We werewithout power for nearly 3 weeks. I had just got braces on and could only eat ramen noodles made over the fire lol wasnt fun but made for memories

[WoodyFL]

Thought this was kind of appropriate.

[_Sheffjs_]

I remember way back when those 3 hit us. We werewithout power for nearly 3 weeks. I had just got braces on and could only eat ramen noodles made over the fire lol wasnt fun but made for memories

Francis Jean and Charley I think 2004. I remember 16 hours no power with one of them - ran the Honda Gen for refer, used the Webber grill to make one excellent b-Fast on the back porch after the winds shifted to the front of the house.   

Side note, when I bought the Honda Gen, Sherry said WOW that is so quiet! Hey we can just run it in the house!   ---------------Yep.      

[Pappy!]

Don't forget Ivan.

[FloridaValkRyder]

Thought this was kind of appropriate.

That's hysterical.