I made it to Hernando Beach. North Florida seems fine, however gas stations and dollar stores are very crowded. Pickups with five or six plastic fuel jugs across the bed!

Terry or Doug, I'm 7 miles away and I'm not sure the Frigg'It! is going back to HHI with second storm brewing right behind UMA!!!

Michael.

Hurricane "Willies"
 

Michael, Be careful about running in circles and wringing your hands too early because you'll be wore out by the time we figure out what this thing decides to do. A high altitude cool front passed over our part of the state today and that may "buffer" it off to the Bahamas but it's probably here too early. The islands in the Caribbean and Cuba will knock it down to a Cat 3 by the time it makes landfall in south Florida or the Keys. If it comes up the center of the state or even crosses from as close as Ft. Pierce we would only have 40 mile an hour winds by the time it gets to the west coast. As long as the eye is below us the winds blow off shore and push the Gulf of Mexico away from the west coast. They don't start pushing the Gulf toward us until the eye gets north of us, and only when the eye is in the Gulf. NOW, if the dang thing squeezes through the Straights of Florida and gets in the Gulf, is only when we need to be concerned. Typically, they wondered off toward northern Mexico, Texas or Louisiana because of the rotation of the earth dragging the tops westward, EXCEPT in the case of an approaching cool front this time of year that will steer them back toward the west coast of Florida - THAT IS WHEN WE FREAK OUT. Especially when the eye passes north of us and we get that wind driven tide that effects the shallow waters in the Big Bend area. See what Kmoose and NoBones say, they've been through a bunch of these too, but I think it's too early get excited. If you can't find a place in Brooksville or Spring Hill to drag your Seafari, you can pull it 50 miles down to my shop in Largo, but its' a higher elevation by 30' in Spring Hill.

The models keep flip flopping and it must be very frustrating for the forecasters. It's getting to look like a very bad situation, with the media whipping up the emotions. People will be leaving the keys, Miami, Lauderdale, etc. Where will they go. 95,75 and the tp will be crazy. I've got the camper filled with 80 gallons of fuel and could board up and leave now, but need to see where the grandkids will be, where to put the boat to anticipate which way trees may be falling on it.

Good luck down there fellas. Looks like the real deal.

As you can guess Me and Mel are super busy at our utility prepping for restoration. As of right now it looks like an east coast path but that's what they predicted for Andrew and it went strait. Storms of this magnitude create their own weather and path. It's still too early for certain but within the next 24 the models should be pretty solid. If you are coastal on either side of the state or in south Florida I would leave for the weekend.

I'm not freaking out yet. Have to bring the Seafari someplace, but HHI is not the solution. My PTSD will not allow me to sit on an interstate. May run up 19/98 and take some back roads due north someplace. Do not want to be here to see my retirement home flood. Would like to get sand bags up a couple of feet on front and rear entrances before bailing. Otherwise, standing by.

Vezo

Magic seaweed is saying the Bermuda high will
move east. Let's pray it does.

We are about 16 ft above sea level.
All block house including interior walls.
Built by the third little pig in'49 for AF officer housing.
2x6 Tn G cypress roof decking but no hurricane
straps on the trusses.

We have a giant ficus just out the back door...
Be safe my friends!!!

We're out of here as soon as possible, probably tomorrow.
The keys is no place to be, no high grounds to climb, only falling coconuts!
Probably headed to area 442, ....if Irma follows, then we may continue north!
A little nudge East is good, a bigger nudge East and out to the Atlantic would be better.
Listening Irma?

Be safe everyone.

You guys be careful!!!!! I saw a video a minute ago on the news of the "18 mile stretch" and the traffic is moving, however not too fast!!!

Yeah, it's not the 100 mph wind that will kill you it's that 100 mph falling coconut!! Be safe.

FYI for you coastal folks (that includes me): The interstates have been jammed and SLOW since early afternoon, all the way to Gainesville, but the small, interior roads were still clear as of Wednesday pm. I expect they will stay that way tomorrow and tomorrow night. After that, all bets are off. Best traveling will be at night, late at night.

And a hundred mile and eighty mile per hour coconut can kill you INSIDE your house.