Hurricane Ian

[AAM2012]

Sept 27, 2022 10:58:46 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

Sept 27, 2022 10:36:46 GMT -5 heat40 said:

I think Florida people in general have a lot of experience with hurricanes so we’re kind of lax on some things. The problem with Tampa is that, they have experience “from afar” as in knowing of family/friends who have gone though storms or they themselves from having lived at one time in another area that has gotten hit more. But Tampa itself hasn’t gotten a direct hit in about 100 years, so the infrastructure, homes, waterways etc. Are being tested for the first time. Also, it’s one thing to see from afar the damage of a storm and a whole other to take it on yourself. So in theory, they know what to expect or do but really won’t know until it actually happens.

So a "they don't know what they don't know" situation.

Like Houston when it flooded. They had experience with storms, but they didn't know that development had obliterated all their flood protection, so everything went underwater.

Also, the “people of Florida” that the news gets their sound bites from may not even live in St. Pete/Tampa/impacted area.

Those who will be in a really bad spot from Tampa were packing up and heading out and not in a position to stay for the news stations.

If this is/was a direct hit or even slight north of Tampa it would be catastrophic given the storm surge and the bay.

[pixy0stix]

Sept 27, 2022 20:53:56 GMT -5 AAM2012 said:

Sept 27, 2022 10:58:46 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

So a "they don't know what they don't know" situation.

Like Houston when it flooded. They had experience with storms, but they didn't know that development had obliterated all their flood protection, so everything went underwater.

Also, the “people of Florida” that the news gets their sound bites from may not even live in St. Pete/Tampa/impacted area.

Those who will be in a really bad spot from Tampa were packing up and heading out and not in a position to stay for the news stations.

If this is/was a direct hit or even slight north of Tampa it would be catastrophic given the storm surge and the bay.

Nah, I'm actually talking about friends (a couple of sets) in the area that said this. A couple broke and left, but there's a few staying.

[AAM2012]

Sept 27, 2022 21:12:50 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

Sept 27, 2022 20:53:56 GMT -5 AAM2012 said:

Also, the “people of Florida” that the news gets their sound bites from may not even live in St. Pete/Tampa/impacted area.

Those who will be in a really bad spot from Tampa were packing up and heading out and not in a position to stay for the news stations.

If this is/was a direct hit or even slight north of Tampa it would be catastrophic given the storm surge and the bay.

Nah, I'm actually talking about friends (a couple of sets) in the area that said this. A couple broke and left, but there's a few staying.

Ah got it. It truly does depend on where they live, as a mile or two can make a world of a difference. If they aren’t in a mandatory evacuation zone and don’t live in a mobile home or something like that, then I can understand why they stay.

But there will always be people who think they’re invincible, had a traumatic experience when they evacuated in a prior storm…who knows.

[basilosaurus]

My parents are in the path but are of course not there right now. Thankfully they're in a small condo building so neighbors will put up the shutters.

[mcppalmbeach]

I can tell you that I am on the east coast and not in the cone and we have had tornado alerts all night with touchdowns all around. This is a scary storm.

[abs]

Sept 28, 2022 6:20:46 GMT -5 mcppalmbeach said:

I can tell you that I am on the east coast and not in the cone and we have had tornado alerts all night with touchdowns all around. This is a scary storm.

Oh my gosh the nonstop tornado alerts during Hurricane Harvey nearly undid me.  By night 3 I just had silence the alerts because they were unending.  

This storm looks worse and worse every second.  I am thinking of all of our Florida posters.

[kath16]

oh my word, i woke up to news that it's basically a CAT 5 now.

please continue to check in if you're in FL

[dancingirl21]

Thinking of all our Florida members. This one looks so scary!

[sju]

My heart sank when I saw that we pretty much have a Cat 5. The videos I’m seeing from SE FL are terrifying considering those areas were supposed to receive less impacts.

I warned H to let me do my thing. I will continue prepping even if he thinks we are as ready as we will be.

Stay safe everyone and to those of you closer to the coast or with family in those areas, you’ll be in my thoughts.

[preppy]

My MIL is just north of Ft Myers in a mandatory evacuation zone and refusing to leave. My husband and I have begged her and I am panicked for her.

[heat40]

Stay safe everyone! This storm is crazy big. There’s lots of rain down here and some flooding, and we are way outside the cone. Praying for everyone’s safety up north.

[rubytue]

Well that was what I did not want to wake up to. Its like looking at a will cat 5 passing right over ILs house. For those familiar, they are between the sanibel bridge and Publix. 😬😬

The is going to not age well, but I am not looking forward the hearing about how MIL only brought clothes for 3 days. Grant me the serenity to have patience with a privileged, entitled boomer actually going though hell.

[rubytue]

Ok, now that I said my snark, serious questions. H is (still) not employed but is a construction guy, (electrician, but Jack of most trades but plumbing). Last night, he started making a contingency plan to go help his folks clean up and recover. That said, they are in a retirement community that does everything, but a SFH.

Anyone have thoughts on if he might be of use (to them, to others) vs being an extra body making things worse by simply being around? Earliest would be next week.

[formerlyak]

Just woke up and am watching the news. Stay safe, Florida Internet Friends! The storm looks angry for sure.

[formerlyak]

Sept 28, 2022 8:11:05 GMT -5 rubytue said:

Ok, now that I said my snark, serious questions. H is (still) not employed but is a construction guy, (electrician, but Jack of most trades but plumbing). Last night, he started making a contingency plan to go help his folks clean up and recover. That said, they are in a retirement community that does everything, but a SFH.

Anyone have thoughts on if he might be of use (to them, to others) vs being an extra body making things worse by simply being around? Earliest would be next week.

I would guess it’s like earthquakes. Once damage is assessed, immediate needs like food and medical will be addressed and then there will be info on how people can help rebuild. It, unfortunately, could mean waiting a few days to see where he can be a help as opposed to a hinderance. And the retirement community admin may be a good place to call. He can ask them if there are ways to help with repairs in the community.

[Velar Fricative]

Sept 28, 2022 7:45:52 GMT -5 preppy said:

My MIL is just north of Ft Myers in a mandatory evacuation zone and refusing to leave. My husband and I have begged her and I am panicked for her.

I saw that now it's turning into a shelter-in-place mandate (although maybe just in some areas) because it's dangerous to be out on the roads right now. I hope she rides it out okay and can communicate with you to inform you she's fine.

[Velar Fricative]

So close to a Category 5, my goodness. I hope everyone in its path remains safe.

[preppy]

Sept 28, 2022 8:23:48 GMT -5 Velar Fricative said:

Sept 28, 2022 7:45:52 GMT -5 preppy said:

My MIL is just north of Ft Myers in a mandatory evacuation zone and refusing to leave. My husband and I have begged her and I am panicked for her.

I saw that now it's turning into a shelter-in-place mandate (although maybe just in some areas) because it's dangerous to be out on the roads right now. I hope she rides it out okay and can communicate with you to inform you she's fine.

Yea its too late to leave now unfortunately. She keeps sending me videos of the rain to show how its fine but it hasn't even started really! Ugh. She has a relatively new home with hurricane shutters and water/food and her next door neighbor has a generator. I just hope for the best and that she stays safe. 

[audette]

Sept 28, 2022 8:16:51 GMT -5 formerlyak said:

Sept 28, 2022 8:11:05 GMT -5 rubytue said:

Ok, now that I said my snark, serious questions. H is (still) not employed but is a construction guy, (electrician, but Jack of most trades but plumbing). Last night, he started making a contingency plan to go help his folks clean up and recover. That said, they are in a retirement community that does everything, but a SFH.

Anyone have thoughts on if he might be of use (to them, to others) vs being an extra body making things worse by simply being around? Earliest would be next week.

I would guess it’s like earthquakes. Once damage is assessed, immediate needs like food and medical will be addressed and then there will be info on how people can help rebuild. It, unfortunately, could mean waiting a few days to see where he can be a help as opposed to a hinderance. And the retirement community admin may be a good place to call. He can ask them if there are ways to help with repairs in the community.

Depending on how much destruction there is, he may well be welcomed with open arms, onceimmediate needs for locals has been secured (food, shelter, water). He should assume very rough living conditions (I would assume its something like a bunk in an open bay - better to assume worse and get nicer), but he might be a godsend for a small retirement community - there may be locals in it with skills, but not necessarily the shape/strength to do the work anymore.

I remember after Katrina, tradesfolks from TX were volunteering their time to help out in LA. If your husband is willing to go down, wait until an all clear is given from the local authorities, and then he can head down.

[pixy0stix]

This is not the news I was hoping for. Prayers and good thoughts being sent Floridian's way.

[Velar Fricative]

Sept 28, 2022 8:11:05 GMT -5 rubytue said:

Ok, now that I said my snark, serious questions. H is (still) not employed but is a construction guy, (electrician, but Jack of most trades but plumbing). Last night, he started making a contingency plan to go help his folks clean up and recover. That said, they are in a retirement community that does everything, but a SFH.

Anyone have thoughts on if he might be of use (to them, to others) vs being an extra body making things worse by simply being around? Earliest would be next week.

I agree with others that once emergency responders and government officials have given the green light for people to return, that's a good time for him to go and assist. He should bring whatever he can for himself to avoid using up the resources people will need down there during the immediate aftermath (if he's driving down, hopefully he has room for his own food, water and equipment). 

[jamaicam]

Thinking of everyone in Florida, this really is a nasty one.

We were a long way from it and still had 4 days of heavy rain. The amount of rain this thing has is terrifying.

[rubytue]

formerlyak , Velar Fricative , audette , thanks. And yeah, he wouldn’t go like tomorrow or anything. Any bring all his own stuff. Mostly to take care of his parents. 

[aurora]

Sending best wishes to all our FL posters and all of the loved ones who live there. Please update occasionally if you can!

[basilosaurus]

There might be a crew he can join. I can't remember which hurricane hit the keys most recently, but a bunch of electrical trucks were lined up at the border waiting for the all clear. They came in from around the country.

[meli554]

Sept 28, 2022 7:56:03 GMT -5 rubytue said:

Well that was what I did not want to wake up to. Its like looking at a will cat 5 passing right over ILs house. For those familiar, they are between the sanibel bridge and Publix. 😬😬

The is going to not age well, but I am not looking forward the hearing about how MIL only brought clothes for 3 days. Grant me the serenity to have patience with a privileged, entitled boomer actually going though hell.

  I was just looking at the Sanibel live streetcams (we just vacationed there in June/July) and streets are already flooded.

[glw]

I'm so worried for my friend. She and her bf just moved to Punta Gorda from the mid-Atlantic and have never been through a hurricane. Their house is right on the canal. Their plan was to hunker down but have the car packed if they need to get out...but where would they go at this point?

ETA: I see that their area is now under mandatory evacuation. I want to check in but also don't want to add to her stress 

[mrsd2006]

Stay safe FL peeps and check in when you can!!

[pixy0stix]

I'm reading they're predicting up to 20 ft of storm surge. That's insane.

[Velar Fricative]

Sept 28, 2022 9:56:12 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

I'm reading they're predicting up to 20 ft of storm surge. That's insane.

I saw this and then had to go back and check what the storm surge was in Manhattan during Sandy since that's my point of reference - it was 14 feet in Lower Manhattan and that devastated the nearby subway stations and Ground Zero. I know basements aren't a thing in FL so I can't speak for possible impacts there, but 20 feet is just unfathomable to me.