BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Sep 04 - 02:45 PM

Wow. That's big.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: harpgirl
Date: 03 Sep 04 - 04:20 PM

I was going to go west to my son's new home at UWF, but I decided to stay at home in north florida and play music with The Not Sisters! I'm in denial at this point and intend to stay there until it all goes away. I will hoard water, however. Now it looks like the storm is going to go straight up I75 just about...and maybe pass by me by about twenty miles east, I hope. I hope blackcatter doesn't get hit too hard, again. more later

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Blackcatter
Date: 03 Sep 04 - 04:28 PM

Looks now like the eye will cross over my house - of course that could change. What we're looking at is a hurricane that sticks out 180-220 miles from the eye. It has been holding steady at 9 - 10 mph. That means anyone who lives close to the actually track of the eye will get between 36 and 48 hours worth of rain and wind from 40mph to over 100mph. Figure about 1/2 inch + of rain for every hour. 18 to 30 inches of rain across the entire center of the state.

Think Bangladesh in the monsoon.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: harpgirl
Date: 03 Sep 04 - 07:05 PM

Damn...now it appears as though the track is directly through Tallahassee. But perhaps it will just be heavy rains by that time! Denial...come back! Batten down the hatches, blackcatter!

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Sep 04 - 08:00 PM

Blackcatter, you wanna fly out of there and come visit Texas for a while? We'll pull out the futon.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Blackcatter
Date: 03 Sep 04 - 09:06 PM

SRS - all airports closed today.

By the way - latest speed of the storm is 5 mph. They think it may stopp and sit on us for a while.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Billy the Bus
Date: 03 Sep 04 - 11:00 PM

Best wishes you Floridians - Sam in NZ

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: katlaughing
Date: 03 Sep 04 - 11:20 PM

I'll be thinking about you all, through the night and on through the weekend. Please do all that you can to stay safe and check in with us when you are able.

{{{{{{{{{{{HG}}}}}}}}}}}}}}, you, too, {{{{{{Blackcatter}}}}}}}}

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Sep 04 - 11:28 PM

If you want to drive to an airport that is open and fly out, the offer is still open. The futon hasn't been spoken for this weekend. DFW or Love Field are the two big airports in our area. You probably have people closer, but if not, the Mudcat network is here to offer support!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Joybell
Date: 04 Sep 04 - 12:47 AM

My thoughts too. True-love's sister lives in a trailer park somewhere in Florida, on the East coast. We'll try to contact her when that's possible. Thinking of all of you down there, from down here in Australia. Joy

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Blackcatter
Date: 04 Sep 04 - 09:29 AM

I live in a house that weathered not only Charley, but Donna in 1960. I'll be fine. The deaths you heard of (20 or so) as a result from Charley, were either people in mandatory evac. zones or people doing dumb things or making mistakes - one lady was killed when she waded through water with live electricity (where she fould electricity during the storm, I don't know. Other's were killed in their cars while driving in the storm.

My roof is very solid. There are only smaller branches likely to fall on it, that cannont do anything important. If I get broken windows and rain in the house, I want to be here to minimize the damage - to protect my electronic equipment (yes, it's not worth my life, but once again, only 20 people died in an area of 4-5 million people).

Thanks all, If anything, send your positive energy to Iraq, Afghanistan, Sudan and Chechnya to end those damn wars.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Sep 04 - 11:44 AM

There is an element of self-reliance that comes into play when dealing with harsh weather conditions and outcomes. I lived in rural Washington state for several years when I was in college, commuting 20 miles into town for class. The power went out at our lake for about a week one time after a storm with heavy snows and damaging winds. I went home each night to build a fire in the metal fireplace and cook my dinner atop it, and kept my cold food outside the back door in a cooler (didn't need ice for several of those days!). Because the sun is so low in the sky during the winter in northern regions of the U.S. and beyond, the sun never got over the south ridge to melt the snow on the road and drive and yard. I would dress for winter weather at the house, but by the time I got to town, situated on a harbor with more light and warmer conditions, I was way overdressed for what was just chilly weather. I'd switch from boots into shoes, down parka into jacket, and head to class. I had the impression from the last storm going through Florida that it would be much the same, with warm weather conditions instead. Many living comfortably in the region, with this one strip of devastated land where a recovery process takes survivors back and forth between zones.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Dani
Date: 04 Sep 04 - 12:14 PM

Having sat through Hugo in Charleston, and worked in Florida after Andrew, I don't f*** around with hurricanes, and I have no time for those idiots who thumb their noses at 'em.

Anyone willing to drive this far (mid- N.C) is welcome to shelter (food and music included) here with us. I've heard that hotels even this far up are filling, but we've got plenty of safe space. Unless, of course, this thing turns North...

I'm serious: PM me.

Dani

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Blackcatter
Date: 04 Sep 04 - 12:31 PM

Would that it were cold.

Last time, electricity was out for 7 days. Typical temp. high each day was 92-95 deg. In the middle of the night, my place didn't get cooler than 84 deg. I don't have A/C in my place - but of course, all my fans don't work without power.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: harpgirl
Date: 04 Sep 04 - 12:59 PM

My dad just said the center of the eye is still 45 miles out in the gulf but he is experiencing the edge of the eye which is 85 miles across right now. The sustained winds are 40mph with gusts to 90. They lost water pressure and are flushing with bathtub water. Power is out to about 200k people in the west palm area. There are trees down. My brother's roof is leaking and shingles are coming off. But it sounded like a big party at his house when I called...the storm is moving very slowly, about 5mph which will change when the high up north is no longer influencing it and then will go back up to 15-20 miles an hour. Up in Tallahasee, the sky is still sunny but there is some wind. I have to go to the store but I'm comfortable in my denial at the moment.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: katlaughing
Date: 04 Sep 04 - 01:27 PM

The weather channel just said it'd been downgraded to a Category Two. Does that hold true where you folks are? (No, I don't trust TWC - one time my dau. back East called to say she'd heard on TWC we'd had two feet of snow in Wyoming where we lived. It was as dry and barren as could be with not a speck of snow to be seen anywhere that day!)

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: JennyO
Date: 04 Sep 04 - 01:37 PM

The latest I've heard on Fox News is that Frances is showing signs that it is going to get stronger. They are covering it continuously - I just saw Geraldo Rivera putting on a good show of leaning sideways into the wind - I'm finding it hard to tear myself away, but I need to go to bed.

Good luck to those of you that are affected, I hope you and yours manage to stay safe through all this.

Jenny

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Blackcatter
Date: 04 Sep 04 - 01:41 PM

Categories don't mean much to us - we're looking at 20-30 hours of high winds and rain. The second feeder band should hit Orlando in about an hour. After that, the n ext rain/wind will be the actual edge of the hurricane and from there, won't stop fully until sometime Sunday.

I've got bread in the oven that will be done in 20 minutes. Smells good.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Bill D
Date: 04 Sep 04 - 05:39 PM

that link to WFTV you provided has all the information anyone could want. I was just watching live news/weather from their studios...I also have WeatherPulse , a program to get weather and satellite images anywhere in the country. I can monitor conditions in several formats..

All this new technology won't stop storms from hitting, but the ability to SEE what is coming will no doubt save a lot of lives.....

stay as dry and safe as possible, folks...

(When I was in 3rd grade, we were flooded out of our house in New Orleans by a hurricane...so we moved to Kansas, and spent the next 30 years cowering from tornados....you can't win, I guess.)

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Joybell
Date: 04 Sep 04 - 09:25 PM

Blackcatter and everyone else, thanks for the reports. It's a long way from here in Aus. to Lake Okeechobee where True-love's sister lives in a trailer. We know she's sensible and calm so we're not too concerned. Stay safe all of you. Enjoy your bread Blackcatter, sounds great. Joy

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Blackcatter
Date: 04 Sep 04 - 09:38 PM

Where around the Lake does she live? I lived on the eastern side, north of Pahokee, while I went to high school. That area's getting the brunt of the storm right now.


What's so silly about the reports is that they keep telling us when it will "come on shore." They mean the eye of the storm, but I'm getting hit with the strom right now and will never see the eye. It's just like they refer to the first official day of summer as "midsummer."

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Blackcatter
Date: 04 Sep 04 - 09:40 PM

By the way, the bread is wrapped up and in the fridge along with a sh*t load of ice. I've got to make sure I have food to each for the next 7+ days. There was almost nothing available after Charley.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: harpgirl
Date: 04 Sep 04 - 10:20 PM

the radio said 1.2 million without power! that's a lot of people! Still no weather at all in the panhandle...

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Blackcatter
Date: 04 Sep 04 - 10:27 PM

By the way - below is my page on the history of tropical storms and hurricanes that have hit Central Florida in the past 150 years. Haven't gotten around to updating it with Charley info, so I'll have to get to it after all this.

Orlando: A Visual History - Hurricane Page

The following is a link to a page I use for storm updates. He has connections with NOAA and all other official gov. sites and has the best current images:

Lou's Weather Watch

And 2 local news webpages to follow. At least one is streaming their broadcast live on the page.

WFTV News

WKMG News

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Blackcatter
Date: 04 Sep 04 - 10:30 PM

It'll probably be 3 + million when it is said and done.

It's just come on shore in the Stuart/Hobe Sound area, Where my sister lives. May just have to talk to her for the first time in 10 years.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: JennyO
Date: 04 Sep 04 - 11:19 PM

Just so you guys feel the weather is getting shared around a bit, we are actually getting a little hailstorm here in Sydney at the moment - only a little one mind, and not much wind, but it's bloody cold (by my standards anyway).

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Sep 04 - 11:20 PM

I have ex-inlaws living a few miles north of West Palm Beach. I think they're probably very very wet right now.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Blackcatter
Date: 04 Sep 04 - 11:59 PM

Well,

I guess it all depends if they went inside or not.

What really drives me crazy is all the idiot junior-league reporters that are standing outside, nearly being blown in half by the wind and rain, telling everyone that it is too dangerous to be outside because of flying debris, etc.

They actually ridicule others for going out in the storm, and say that they've taken proper precautions. Pitiful idiots.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Sep 04 - 01:47 AM

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: SINSULL
Date: 05 Sep 04 - 10:23 AM

Any news? My niece's cell phone died so I have no idea how she is.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Bill D
Date: 05 Sep 04 - 12:36 PM

thanks for the great links, blackcatter...I see the main rotation is right over you as I type. I hope to see updates on how you and others are doing, as soon as it works, though I know power problems may limit that. (The page on Orland and its history is wonderful!)

I also see that *I* may get some serious rain from the dying system in a few days....sort of a reminder.

(and right now, it 'looks' like Ivan will go further south, but they are suggesting people NOT take down plywood for a few days, just in case...*sigh*)

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Sep 04 - 12:38 PM

Third times the charm, eh?

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: jack halyard
Date: 05 Sep 04 - 05:08 PM

G'day folks,
          Not being a regular Mudcatter, I'm not up to speed with all the names. Jenny O' and myself spend most of sunday watching the hurricane reportage with all those mad reporters leaning at forty five degrees or being blown sideways. I'm glad most Floridians seem to have the sense to keep their heads down in all this. My thoughts are with you hunkered-down folks. Cabin fever in tropical heat must be no fun. The TV reportage seems to bring us all a lot closer together- except that Mudcat does it better and without advertising and political marketting. Best wishes to you all and don't take silly risks- we love you too much.

                               Jack Halyard.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Joybell
Date: 05 Sep 04 - 08:40 PM

Not sure where on the lake True-love's sister lives, Blackcatter. We read a report that Lake Okeechobee was probably set to rise 5 feet or so. We think they have probably left for higher ground and safer country. She will most likely contact us when she can. Good luck again, our thoughts are with you all. Joy

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Joybell
Date: 05 Sep 04 - 10:32 PM

Blackcatter, True-love's sister is in the town of Okeechobee on the North tip of the lake. She's been spending 6 months of each year there for about 5 years. She decided to retire there full-time just this year. Joy

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Sep 04 - 12:10 AM

When I was over at my ex's house earlier this evening he was on the phone with his brother (from north of West Palm). They are without power, but called from over at a friend's house where they were getting a hot meal and showers before heading back to the house. They say it feels more like a big tropical storm than a hurricane.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Blackcatter
Date: 06 Sep 04 - 04:37 PM

Okeechobee should have been relatively fine. The Lake, itself is highly protected and anything short of a Cat. 4 hurricane wouldn't cause it to break through it's dikes. The dikes are huge and tall - 20 in places.

See the Frances thread for my other update. est. 5 million Floridians have/will have lost power by the end of all this.

Ivan is still too early to call, but it's currently on track to hit the Everglades, South Miami.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: harpgirl
Date: 06 Sep 04 - 09:13 PM

Well, it was very tricky climbing up on the slick roof to throw a tarp over the tree and the smashed part of the roof. My neighbors scrambled up on the roof right away with a chain saw and sawed off most of the smaller limbs. The tree cutter is coming over tomorrow to get it off the roof and will be done probably before the adjustor gets here. I took pictures. It smashed my fig tree up pretty good. It is so soggy here you just sink into the ground when walking around.

The weird thing is there wasn't much wind at all and the rain was the typical rainstorm kind. The tree was rotten at the base and it just uprooted from my neighbors yard, through his fence and onto my roof. The roof line is over my son's room and his bathroom and since he is not home now, even if it leaks to the ceiling it won't bother anyone. I hope the roof rebuilders whoever they are can get it done quick. I just had a funny feeling about this storm being a problem for me. So glad I didn't lose my home altogether. I'm lucky...

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Joybell
Date: 06 Sep 04 - 10:13 PM

Good to know you're OK harpgirl. Blackcatter thanks for the reassurance. Joy

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Bill D
Date: 06 Sep 04 - 10:22 PM

ok, then, harpy...ignore my post in the other thread....sounds like you are on top of it.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: JennyO
Date: 06 Sep 04 - 11:41 PM

I don't think anyone has actually linked the two threads yet, so I will post a link here to the most recent posts on the other thread Facing Frances

As I said on the other thread, I am glad everyone is safe, but worried about the next one, Ivan. It looks like being a biggie, and if it is heading your way, I would recommend giving serious consideration to moving out of its way this time. Nothing else is more important than personal safety. Good luck all.

Jenny

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: SINSULL
Date: 07 Sep 04 - 10:35 AM

So sorry harpie. But maybe you will get a new roof out of it. Watch out for electrical wires. Every storm someone gets electrocuted wandering around looking at the damage. My niece couldn't face the cleanup in her place. She drove south and checked into a motel - hot water, dry clothes and a decent meal should improve her attitude.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: GUEST,Blackcatter
Date: 07 Sep 04 - 04:02 PM

She's lucky to find a motel with power. Everyone kept telling us to do that after Charley. Hard to find one that wasn't as bad off as the rest of the place, and we live in the hotel/motel capital of the world.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: harpgirl
Date: 07 Sep 04 - 08:30 PM

Thanks for the commiseration, suggestions, and general all around support, mudcatters. The tree cutter comes tomorrow morning, the contractor looked at my damage this morning! and I cleaned up the front yard in a frenzy after work today. But I am dead tired now...I just hope Ivan doesn't come this way but I have a bad feeling about it...

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: harpgirl
Date: 09 Sep 04 - 08:34 AM

The roofers are on my roof as I type and I may get away with less than 2 grand on this. The insurance agent hasn't even answered my calls. I guess he's too busy! I just hope the damn thing withstands the next hurricane. The yard is a mess, though....But I'm still going to work. Gotta pay the construction and tree bills...good luck to central Florida. It doesn't look too good as far as Ivan is concerned....

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: harpgirl
Date: 09 Sep 04 - 08:45 AM

Here's some irony...

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EVERY day this Friday night at the Mockingbird Cafe in bee-utiful downtown
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We'll start you off with Leek and Potato Pie-- or a House Salad! Then its
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tomatoes and mozzarella cheese! Or perhaps Chicago-style Italian Beef?!
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to "blow the roof off"!!!
And the eye of this perfect storm? Why-- Abby ........... and her famous
autoharp! When Abby gets to playin' and singin"-- why the winds just STOP
and there's just a gentle breeze rollin' down the holler...
So y'all need to take a break from all your hammerin" and yard-rakin' and
come on down to the Mockingbird for a relaxing evening! Now you're on track!

Dinner and Music are served from 6-9pm Friday night!
Questions? Reservations? Call us at 850-539-2212.
Lori and Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Blackcatter
Date: 09 Sep 04 - 12:39 PM

Latest track for Ivan as of 11AM Eastern Time:

Sustained winds of 160mph. Category 5. Currently the strongest hurricane in a decade.

Storm track takes it through Cuba, and into Key West (as a category 4), Ft. Meyers/Punta Gorda, and Orlando (as a category 2).

It could go farther east (hitting Miami etc.) or east straight up to Tallahassee.

This track could chagne, but hey - why should it?

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Amos
Date: 09 Sep 04 - 12:53 PM

Jesus, guys!! Sustained winds of 160mph. Category 5.

Dig in and hold on tight!!!


A

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 Sep 04 - 01:19 PM

Is there a saying for adding insult to injury to injury? Third time's the charm [not!]? All of Florida is "snakebit" these days.

Sounds like Grenada had their nutmegs shaken pretty hard, and Jamaica is next. Any speculation in the weather venues about this hard hurricane season juxtaposed to a milder and moister summer than the southern U.S. has seen in decades?

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: robomatic
Date: 09 Sep 04 - 04:05 PM

Third Time Charm!