Latest on #HurricaneIrma

/ Marcia Meara

Looking pretty grim for the entire state of Florida now, barring any unforeseen swings into the middle of the  Gulf.  This is the latest from NOAA, as of 8:00am today.

This storm is so wide, it will be hitting BOTH coasts at once, and they are saying that ALL of Florida will be getting full hurricane winds, whatever they happen to be when it reaches your location. Currently, the prediction for almost all of the state is “M”, or what NOAA calls any storm 110mph or more. So Category 4 or 5. 😦

Again, we are located slightly east of where the “L” in “FL” is, on this map. So, you can see we are dead center between the two RED “Here Comes the Hurricane” lines. 😯 My son & family are slightly north of us, and my nephew & family are west, so closer to the Gulf. But the truth is, the storm is going to bring its full fury to the ENTIRE peninsula of Florida, and the chances of it moving farther into the Gulf are slim. Our best scenario at this point is that it might continue to weaken. Sadly, since the eye will be passing along the very warm waters of the Gulf Coast, that isn’t likely to happen.

I know some of you are wondering why we don’t evacuate right now. There are 5.6 million reasons why we aren’t  going to. And ALL of those reasons are on the highway, heading north from the bottom THIRD of the state. As they should be. They are in the gravest danger, and really MUST get out. Seminole County, where I live, has not been given any evac orders yet, not even voluntary ones, and I don’t think it will be. I’ve never seen this part of the state evacuated, because it is far enough inland, and high enough (by Florida’s standards) that it isn’t usually deemed necessary.

Now, don’t get me wrong. We can still be slammed very, very hard here. Roofs will be torn off, and huge oak trees WILL come down. In fact, that is my biggest worry. We have an ancient laurel oak (on city easement) that I don’t expect to see still standing when this is over. It should have come down two years ago, when the city removed the one next to it. But even with threats like falling trees, we are NOT in the same level of danger as the folks in south Florida, on both coasts. The Ft. Myers area on the west coast, and the Miami area on the east, MUST evacuate, while we haven’t even been told to voluntarily leave.

And evacuation isn’t always the best answer, especially when there are literally MILLIONS of people already doing so. Traffic is horrendous and you can only creep along at 30mph so many hours, before you run out of gas. Then what? Miles from an exit, maybe? Gas station out of fuel, maybe? Stuck on the highway when the hurricane hits, with your only protection being the metal walls of your vehicle? I’m thinking I’m better off staying put, and not adding to the problems of the people who’ve been told they MUST get out. They need those routes to safety more than I do right now, so since we couldn’t leave earlier, we aren’t going to try to do so now.

Long post, I know, but I suspect we won’t have power tomorrow, so I might not be back for some time.

One more thing on the storm. This is the wind chart, showing the level of wind expected. As you can see, the entire state is purple, which is the very highest level on the chart. 😯

PLEASE keep Florida in your thoughts and prayers, because we are going to need them. And, if the bridge don’t go, an’ the creek don’t rise, as they say, I’ll see you guys after Irma finishes her miserable rampage. ❤ ❤ ❤

 

52 thoughts on “Latest on #HurricaneIrma”

    • I think that’s exactly right, Kass. When the roads are this crowded (and possibly dangerous), I don’t want to add to it, unless we’re told to go. And with six animals that would be cooped up in the back seat for HOURS, I’m really hesitant to undertake that. Again, if the orders said go, I’d go. I don’t believe in ignoring them if it’s possible for me to leave, and then expecting first responders to come save me, if the worst happens. But so far, Seminole County has not received ANY word we should leave. So we aren’t going to. Yeah, I’d like to be somewhere ELSE, for sure. But there are people whose lives might DEPEND on them getting away, and they don’t need me adding to the confusion.

      STAY SAFE, Kass! You’ve still got an eco tour to come down here for! 😀

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    • Thank you for the thoughts and prayers, Miriam! On behalf of everyone in harm’s way, I can tell you they are gratefully accepted and appreciated. And even if the power is off after the storm passes, I will try to post a short message via my iPhone, to let you know we’re still here! 🙂

      I’ve been through lots and lots of hurricane scares, and several direct hits throughout my life, but this one scares me more than any of the others ever did, I confess. I’ll be so glad when it’s history! Praying for no more loss of life!!

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    • We’ll take ’em, Darlene! It IS scary, even for those of us who know the drill. I couldn’t sleep last night. Just too keyed up to relax at all. Luckily, Mark and I have lots of last minute stuff to do inside today, to keep us busy. Filling those water containers, making ice for the cooler–which we probably won’t need, because the generator should keep the fridge on just fine, but you never know–charging all the devices, checking batteries in our flash lights and lanterns, setting up the camp stove on the back porch, and so forth. Hopefully, we’ll be too busy to fret.

      Keep sending those prayers and hugs, and I’ll see you on the other side of this mess!! 🙂 ❤

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  4. Thanks for updating us, Marcia. It must be really scary waiting for it to hit and not being able to do anything. I saw film on the news last night of the huge queues of cars waiting to buy fuel and of the traffic on the road. Horrendous. Stay safe.

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    • Scary, indeed, Mary! And the forecast/trajectory changes every hour, so you never know which way to JUMP. All you know is that something big (but not exactly HOW big) is coming toward you (but not exactly how CLOSE to you) and will do lots of damage (but not exactly how MUCH damage) but you better be damn scared!! 😯 😯 😯 And I AM! As of tomorrow morning, we will be getting tropical storm force winds, no matter what, but then after that, it all depends on how tightly Irma hugs the coastline. All I know is, the whole state is going to be slammed at one level or another. 😦 😥

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        • Yep, Jose is RIGHT behind Irma, but the last I checked, it was likely to turn north into the Atlantic. However, it’s apparently going to hit some of the same islands Irma did, first. 😯 Those poor people!
          Thanks for continuing to send positive thoughts. At this point, that’s all any of us can do, I think. Tomorrow will tell the tale for those of us on the Florida peninsula.

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    • I’m looking out my kitchen window at the tree, chanting “Vertical, vertical, vertical!” Let’s see how well it follows directions! 🙂 If it doesn’t fall on us, though, I do think we’ll be okay. Might sustain roof damage, etc, but hopefully, nothing worse than that. Tonight and tomorrow will tell the tale for those of us in central Florida. Will get back to you guys as soon as I can.

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    • I hope you NEVER have to go through something like this, Robbie! It’s truly nerve-wracking. But we are doing our best to have everything we need, in case of power outages, etc. And other than that, it’s about time to turn it over to a greater authority. We can only do so much. Will try to let you guys know how we’re doing come Monday. 🙂 ❤

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    • We’re taking care, and I, at least, have been known to be wise on occasion. Sorta. 🙂 So, now it’s just a matter of being safe, and we’re working on that. Thanks so much for the good wishes, and I’ll try to touch base with you guys on Monday, if all goes well.

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    • Thanks so much Annabelle! Hey, I’m wishing us the same things!! 😀 Especially that last one. Boy, I’d like this to turn out to be a big, fat, ZERO around here. Irma has already created enough damage and heartbreak. She just needs to STOP, already! 🙂 Will try to update you guys on Monday! Thanks again!

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    • Thanks, Linda. The latest update of the trajectory map is even worse than this one, but it’s still a guessing game. So strange, isn’t it? At first, it was going up the east coast, heading for Charleston, SC, or even out into the Atlantic. Now it’s going up the west coast, heading for Alabama. And who knows what will actually happen tomorrow. But any way you cut it, the storm is bigger than the entire Florida peninsula, and every one of us is going to be slammed to one extent or another. *sigh* Keep sending those prayers. We need ’em! 🙂 ❤

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    • Thanks, Barb! I appreciate your keeping us in your thoughts. I’m hoping the storm does something wonderful last minute, like drift off to die in the middle of the Gulf, but I’m not counting on it. We are as prepared as we can get, and are mostly praying the big oak doesn’t squash our house flat. The city will be liable, if that happens, but . . . squashed house! 😯 Now it’s just a waiting game. Will definitely let you know how we are when this is over. 🙂

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    • Thank you so much for sharing, Sally. It really helps to know so many people are keeping Florida in their thoughts and prayers. There is something very comforting in that! 🙂 ❤

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    • We will be doing our best, Sally, both for Mark and I, and for Hairy Potter, Maksim Hotdogski, Harry & Murphy, and Kell & Rye. (Just realized, all our animals are named for book characters I love, except Maks, who is named for my favorite dancer on Dancing With the Stars. Hahahaha.) I will report in throughout the day tomorrow, if possible, and again, as soon as I can after it’s all over. Thanks so much for your kind wishes, and for sharing. 🙂 ❤ An awful lot of people are still in harm's way. 😦

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    • I’m going to tell the tree YOU said for it to stand straight and NOT fall over! That should do it! 🙂 Thanks, Marje. This ain’t our first rodeo, as they say, but it sure is one of the scariest I’ve been to! Can’t wait for this storm to go off somewhere and just DIE!! Irma has caused enough pain and suffering, and needs to be gone. 🙂

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        • I thank you for that lovely comment, Marje, even as I cower here, under my bed, sobbing, “Why, why, whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy?” 😀 Seriously, I’m scared witless, because I know anything can happen. And I’m checking that tree out front every ten minutes, though truthfully, I don’t see any way it can withstand what’s coming. Afternoon thundershowers were dropping limbs from it every other day.

          BUT. Having said all of that, we’re here. We’re braced. And with any luck at all, we’ll come out the other side in one piece. 🙂 ❤

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    • Thank you very much, Christy! It means so much to know how many people are keeping Florida in their thoughts and prayers. We are all very grateful! Will keep everyone updated as often as I can, and as soon after Irma passes as possible. 🙂

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  18. Ditto all above. I have so prepared for that sucker, and now feel SO bad for the west coast, and middle people. I’m 24 hours away from Irma’s lateral passing, and we are right now getting lots of rain and wind–and we are under serious Tornado Warnings (every 20 mins; Indian River & St. Lucie). Amazing, and scary. But I pray for everyone in Irma’s path.

    I pray for God’s merciful love.
    God Bless, Marcia.

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    • Thank you on behalf of everyone in Irma’s path, including my family! This one is certainly one for the record books. When I think of what the earlier predictions were, and where it appears to be headed now, I’m reminded of what an inexact science it is. Because hurricanes have a mind of their own! It’s out of our hands now, for sure. Stay safe!! See you when it’s over! 🙂

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  19. Sending prayers for ALL of Florida – and for those still struggling in Texas & Louisiana.

    The news for Florida seemed a bit better for a while earlier this evening, but it is still going to be a bodacious storm, with lots of rain, wind and potential tornado damage. May God hold you ALL in the palm of His hand.
    xx,
    mgh

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    • Every time it gets better, an hour later, it gets worse. 😯 The Keys are being hammered now, and the storm has slowed down over them. But live reports have it coming up the west coast, gathering strength as it goes, until at least Tampa, which is going to get hit hard. (Which means we will be getting it pretty bad here in Sanford, too). THEN, there’s a possibility it might lose some strength as it hugs the coastline even tighter the rest of the way, then into southwest Georgia, and on through Alabama as a tropical storm, and into Tennessee as a tropical depression. But anything could happen. All we can do now is brace ourselves. Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst, because it can surely happen. Thank you for your prayers and concern. I’m just praying for no more loss of life.

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    • Thank you so much!! We’ll take all the prayers we can get, for sure. Now, it’s a waiting game, and prayers and positive thoughts will have to sustain us until we come out the other side, and see what we’re left with. 🙂 ❤

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  21. I hit ‘like’ for the post, not because I liked the subject matter. 😦 Stay strong Marsh. I’m watching it on TV for days now. I have loved ones and friends on both sides of the penninsula. Sending many prayers and you are in them! ❤

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