NOW A CAT 5 HURRICANE!

[chief38]

Chief—shouldn’t you evacuate? Discretion is the better part of valor! I have read there are mandatory evacuations, but I don’t know to whom that applies. I would run for the hills!

No place to go! The evac ares are 4 miles CLOSER to the Gulf than we are. We are in Zone D and have not been mandator-ally evac'd yet - the evec areas are in zone A,B & C. If and when they do call our zone - it will be way too late. Roads will be flooded and will be more dangerous driving to nowhere than hunkering down here. At this point, our Generac is running so we have power, (went out about an hour ago), we have food, water and have done everything possible to sustain ourselves. I guess tonight (when we get the full monty of 140+ mph winds), we'll find out just how good the hurricane windows, doors and roofing really is.

Thanks for all your wishes and prayers - this one will be the new benchmark I believe!

 

[Chubbo]

Hurricane

Having personally, witnessed the devastation and aftermath, of hurricane Charly, I’m fully aware of the potential of this ongoing hurricane.

I'm fully realizing the futility of changing it, or preparing adequately for it.

What I don’t understand, is the apathy shown by people in its path, who refuse to evacuate, rely on their inadequate preparation, and hope for the best.

Each of those potential victims, has my sincere sympathy, and prayers for their welfare.

Please forgive me for being indiscreet. I abhor, but remember this an old, irreverent, antidote, for the survival of these terrible storms, but it goes thus. I. E., sit down, put your head down between your legs, and kiss your posterior goodbye.

Chubbo

 

[chief38]

My cousin just moved into his new home in Estero FL, about a mile inland, which is looking to be about where the southern part of the eyewall will make landfall.
He lost his roof in Sunrise FL to a hurricane a few years ago, and figures to ride this one out also.
Seems nuts to me.


Sent from my motorola one 5G using Tapatalk

Estero is going to be bad - but not nearly as bad as Ft Myers, Cape Coral, Sarasota and Tampa. I've got friends in Ft. Lauderdale and Miami and they have told me the streets are already flooded there too.

 

[LVSteve]

I've got friends in Ft. Lauderdale and Miami and they have told me the streets are already flooded there too.

Given the number of "disaster soon" shows about Florida where they say the water table is barely below the surface, it does not come as a surprise that Ian's rain is already causing flooding.

 

[redlevel]

My daughter’s in-laws are big time residential building contractors. They live in Ft Myers, and probably have 10-15 homes in various stages of construction in Ft Myers, Captiva and Sanibel. She has been posting videos from her front yard, the latest about 12:15. Said the wind is picking up.They always ride them out. He says he knows how he built their home, and it is built to withstand Cat 5.

 

[Telecaster]

Punta Gorda reports wind of 39 kts gusting to 58.

 

[Mike 139]

Hurricanes….First one I remember was Donna in 1960…a lot of rain and wind…went out about 5AM to do my paper route…got hit with flying debris and wound up in the ER….went home in the front seat of a Police Car…..

Evacuation… ONLY if you’re on the water or in a Flood zone….I did once…NEVER again….Irma in 2017…Cat 5…gonna wipe out the whole State..”Everbody gonna die..EVACUATE !!! said the forecasters…Traffic completely gridlocked even with the Shoulder turned into a driving lane…Rest Areas like a third world country with State Troopers directing Traffic in and out…People camping in the rest area complete with Tents….Returned Home several days later to find a few branches down….That was it.


Andrew…” It’s gonna turn, it’s gonna turn” …said the forecasters…DID NOT turn and impacted Homestead/ South Dade leaving 44 Dead….Entire subdivision of Country Walk destroyed….You don’t build Houses using Stucco over wood and 3/8 plywood or OSB board on a roof or have entry Doors that open inward and have the Roof blow off…..

The Miami- Dade building Code was enacted and still serves as the model for constructing a Safe Home….

Weather forecasters….Right up there with witch doctors dancing around waving a dead chicken ..you would think after all this time, they could get it right….Use common sense, when going outside, watch for downed power lines and animals/snakes….If you use a Generator, You should have an outside Disconnect AT the Meter…. Before plugging in, flip the disconnect …This stops Electric from back feeding the line and if you’re not aware, when they get there to work on your line, they zap it first, which will kill your Generator…They dont and won’t get hurt….

After the Storm passes, be alert for People wandering around “ finding stuff”…looting is common and a call to LE might have a delayed response…especially in areas with no power….A lot of Looters were shot after Andrew… by Homeowners..None charged. Basically, You’re on your Own.

Use Common sense, make sure your Gas Generator stays outside,so No exhaust/ carbon monoxide comes into the Garage/House…No such thing as having too much ammo or water……Stay Safe.

 

[Telecaster]

Punta Gorda reports wind of 39 kts gusting to 58.

Now 52 gusting to 82.

 

[LVSteve]

Now East 66, Gusts 106 mph. That's ugly.

 

[pharmer]

We're still getting weather from the East, mostly rain and a stout wind. Overnite is supposed to be hammer time. Wind will change direction for the "big event." No evacuations from here, this is where folks evacuate to. Dug a trench along side the A/C plinth to drain the east side. Water is rushing out into the swale, glad I took the time. Much more water to come. Joe

 

[fordson]

Made landfall at 1506 hours as a “strong” CAT 4, with winds at 150 to 155 mph north of Cape Coral. This is bad, very bad……..
Pray for my Floridian neighbors there……..

 

[Farmer17]

My daughter’s in-laws are big time residential building contractors. They live in Ft Myers, and probably have 10-15 homes in various stages of construction in Ft Myers, Captiva and Sanibel. She has been posting videos from her front yard, the latest about 12:15. Said the wind is picking up.They always ride them out. He says he knows how he built their home, and it is built to withstand Cat 5.

I guess a Cat 5 Hurricane is a little different than a Cat 5 tornado. Not many houses around here would withstand a direct hit from an F5 unless the house had reinforced concrete walls and roof and thick steel that covered the windows.

 

[SMSgt]

I guess a Cat 5 Hurricane is a little different than a Cat 5 tornado. Not many houses around here would withstand a direct hit from an F5 unless the house had reinforced concrete walls and roof and thick steel that covered the windows.

Tornadoes are typically fast, furious, and destroy small, concentrated areas. Hurricanes are typically less powerful--although can be as powerful--but cover much broader areas, such as half a state, and can blow for hours, and hours, and hours. I prefer to experience neither.

 

[Chuck24]

When we got new windows for the house, the salesman said that they would withstand a cat 5 hurricane. So what you’re saying is that wherever they find my house, the windows will still be attached to it.

 

[CustomChevyGuy]

I'm an Andrew (92) survivor and hate these storms, no matter what the category.

Praying for everyone in Florida right now. So far Okeechobee it's been a bit of rain and some wind. It's supposed to be picking up tonight about 8, we'll see how it goes.

Till then keep safe and sane!

 

[Telecaster]

Highest wind speed I can find as Ian passes through is 38 knots gusting to 58 in St. Pete out of the NNE.

 

[ditrina]

Found a GREAT APP..
weatherbug.com can download from the applestore on your phone or the website on your computer. Gives info in real time for YOUR LOCATION

Good luck and prayers to all!!

 

[raljr1]

Here in Jax, we are sitting waiting for the rain to start. Only supposed to be tropicL storm by the time it gets here. We stayed in during one in 2004...

Sent from my SM-A136U using Tapatalk

 

[mckenney99]

Ex-BIL's place in Ft. Myers Beach was elevated about 4 feet above the ground level. When friends checked the place around 2:30 as the backside eyewall was about to hit, there was already 1 foot of water in the house and the car was completely submerged. They hadn't even seen the worst of the storm surge yet! He is safe up here in OH, but to say he is stressed out would be an understatement. Now they have to figure out the logistics of how to get down there to assess the damage and try to salvage anything that may be left and get the insurance FEMA claims process started. Even when they can get down there, they have the problem of where to stay, as every available room any where near will already be taken by the masses of displaced folks in the same boat that were already down there.

Update: Ex-BIL house wound up with 4+ft of water inside, so they wound up with 8+ feet of storm surge. The house is most likely a total loss. They also inherited an approximately 30-35ft travel trailer that floated into and pinned their car against the home and no one knows where it came from. His vehicle was completely submerged and is totaled. Ex-BIL and his current wife had only purchased the home about 2 years ago, so they are crushed.

 

[jimmyj]

Three Sons and three daughter in laws LEOs work and live in Pinellas County. Haven't heard from them. More than likely out patrolling the streets (like real cops do)