BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!

Subject: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: katlaughing
Date: 14 Aug 04 - 01:03 AM

Just a note to say I hope all of our Florida Mudcatters and their families and friends are safe and not too devastated by Hurricane Charley. It'd be good to hear from you'all...harpgirl, PaulG., etc. Take care,

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Peace
Date: 14 Aug 04 - 02:49 AM

Same here. Blackcatter, don't forget to message soonest, OK?

Bruce

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Joe Offer
Date: 14 Aug 04 - 04:50 AM

My folks live on the south side of Sarasota, near Osprey - Pelican Cove, on the mainland side of the Intracostal Waterway. If you hear reports from that area, please let me know. they talk about Tampa and Fort Meyers, but not about Saratota - and it's a fair-sized city that's right between the other two. That makes it sound like Sarasota could be in the middle of it.
My brother lives in Sarasota and evacuated - but I haven't heard from my folks.
Thanks.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Amos
Date: 14 Aug 04 - 10:27 AM

HG, BWL, et al, let us hear from you!! How do things look down there?


A

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Aug 04 - 10:40 AM

With 1.2 million homes and businesses without power, I think it might be awhile before we hear from some of the Florida folks.

Joe, with Sarasota being one of the hardest hit counties, I'm sure you must be terribly concerned. I have a nephew in Ft. Myers. We haven't heard from him either. I'm sure they are all fine, though.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Gern
Date: 14 Aug 04 - 04:16 PM

We just got back from evacuating St. Pete. This was a close one for us: the storm veered away in literally the last three hours, and we hardly got it. they had predicted a 10-17 foot surge, which would not go well in our house, elevation 9 feet. It was all very hairy. The path of storm destruction seems quite narrow, but anyone worrying about someone in southern Sarasota county is right to worry.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: wysiwyg
Date: 14 Aug 04 - 04:18 PM

You can contact your local Red Cross chapter to inquire whether they can access a list of who is safely tucked away in shelters. It can take a few days post-evac to do this, but when areas are doing longer term sheltering it makes sense, if you have not heard from your people.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 14 Aug 04 - 06:39 PM

Bo Diddley - famous Florida person. I used to chat with a man who used the same bank.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: harpgirl
Date: 15 Aug 04 - 01:27 AM

We were spared in the panhandle with only a great deal of rain but it was a very bad storm with estimates of 15 billion in damages. Counties affected by Charley are Charlotte, Punta Gorda, Desoto, Glades, Hardee, Highlands, Lee, Monroe, Pinellas and Polk. Fort Myers is in Lee. My friend's brother had his car windows blown out in Orlando. Half million without power.1.4 million evacuated. More storms are expected this year...some forming now...

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: harpgirl
Date: 15 Aug 04 - 01:38 AM

Here's the Red Cross watch page:Danielle and Earle coming

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 15 Aug 04 - 03:14 AM

Good wishes from across the pond too... the news reports have not been enjoyable listening, even for zenophobes.....

If a virtual hug makes you feel better, consider yourself hugged.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 15 Aug 04 - 03:15 AM

or even xenophobes - it was a late night last night!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: harpgirl
Date: 15 Aug 04 - 09:05 AM

It's so sad. So many people retire in South Florida to small trailers in the bright sunshine to live out their lives in simplicity. Now 50,000 homeless in 200 shelters. Eighty percent of the buildings in Punta Gorda sustained damage. 3 billion in damages in Fort Myers and around Lee county. Pine Island, site of a new fall folk festival is littered in beached sailboats. Port Charlotte's devastation is "catastrophic" according to the director of emergency management.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: jacqui.c
Date: 15 Aug 04 - 09:10 AM

I'll join Liz in sending all good wishes to those affected by the hurricane. Not much more we can do from this side of the pond but the thoughts of a lot of us are with them.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Aug 04 - 11:32 AM

A lot of people will have to make some hard choices now. That trailering lifestyle for retired individuals is very popular. Hopefully insurance will cover the lost trailers and vehicles, but the volatility of the weather will make a predictably large percentage of them think twice about replacing the trailers and returning to the same area. Some will head back to their homes in the north. There will be an impact on Florida beyond the storm damage itself, at least for a while. Meanwhile, those whose homes were damaged or destroyed may well find themselves in trailers until their permanent dwellings are repaired. Now is not a good time to try to buy a trailer in Florida or adjacent states--what remains will be very expensive.

If any of our Mudcatters find themselves in this position, please contact those of us several states away to help you find something reasonably priced. (I'm in the Fort Worth, Texas, area).

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Joe Offer
Date: 16 Aug 04 - 03:15 AM

I called my dad this evening to ask about the storm, and he said, "What Storm?" Apparently, the storm completely bypassed Sarasota, and they didn't even get much wind or rain. It trimmed some dead branches off trees, but that's about all. My brother also lives in Sarasota, and he and his wife and their cats evacuated a few days ago. Ironically, my dad had to leave his harborside condominium, so he stayed in my brother's house.
My brother had to drive home through an area that had been devastated by the storm. The damage was terrible in Arcadia, only 25 miles from his home, but he and my dad suffered no damage at all. Arcadia is an economically depressed area, maybe 20 miles inland from Sarasota. I love that town - it's a relic of old inland Florida, a fascinating little place. I wonder how much is left of it.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Paul G.
Date: 16 Aug 04 - 04:59 PM

All's well with us here in North East FLA. Tropical Storm Bonnie was actually more of a problem for us with her tornados.

Some of our folkie friends down in Charlotte County are in a world of hurt, though. The Punta Gorda Guitar Army took a heavy hit. Lot's of property damage including a lost house or two. I'm sure the silver lining will be a few good songs telling Charley's tales...

pg

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Peace
Date: 16 Aug 04 - 05:01 PM

Anyone heard from Blackcatter?

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: katlaughing
Date: 16 Aug 04 - 06:46 PM

Good to hear from you, Paul; sorry to hear about your friends' losses, though. Thanks for letting us know. Joe, glad to hear about your family being okay. Harpgirl, thanks for checking in.

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Rapparee
Date: 16 Aug 04 - 07:08 PM

BWL said earlier that he was going to Indiana last week.

I don't think that the two events were coincidental, either.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: GUEST,Stew
Date: 16 Aug 04 - 07:32 PM

I'm wondering if the Gold Tone instrument folks in Titusville, I believe, were affected by Charlie. I'd hate to think that my new banjo is floating around some swamp at this time.
Stew

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: RangerSteve
Date: 16 Aug 04 - 08:01 PM

For what it's worth, Earl is heading toward Yucatan and Danielle is going north, missing all land.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: harpgirl
Date: 16 Aug 04 - 08:06 PM

I hope Earl doesn't turn. We have had so much rain, everything is waterlogged and I can't work in my yard. I'm dying of advanced mildew...

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Paul G.
Date: 16 Aug 04 - 08:32 PM

Stew -- I imagine your banjo is just fine. Titusville is on the coast due east of Orlando, so Charley would have missed it as he headed more northeast. I lived in Titusville for seven of the longest months of my life. A real nice town to drive by on I-95........

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: GUEST,Stew
Date: 16 Aug 04 - 09:00 PM

Thanks Paul G. Maybe the banjo is on its way north to Canada by now. I guess any town where they make banjos would be a lonely out of the way place. :o)
Stew

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 17 Aug 04 - 10:46 AM

Hi folks. I was 900 miles away from home while Bonnie and Charlie were wreaking their havoc. Neither came close to our place, but it was worrisome for a while since we didn't leave the homestead in anything near hurricane-prepared state. There are a couple of big limbs down, but with as many trees as are on our property that's a daily occurence whether there's a storm about or not.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Peace
Date: 18 Aug 04 - 01:04 AM

Refresh

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Ellenpoly
Date: 18 Aug 04 - 12:11 PM

I just received this from a friend in Orlando. I thought I'd pass it along. It does make me worry about Blackcatter who hasn't checked in yet by post,pm, or e-mail to my knowledge. If someone has heard from him, please let us know...xx..e

Hi!

We are both okay, though still without power -- and possibly no power until Saturday or longer.

The three big oaks in our front yard did not fall, but a very large
section of one of them is virtually covering our whole front lawn, and a smaller section is balanced precariously on the wires leading from the street to the house, so we have not ventured near either said limb.

On our street and the two streets on either side of us there must be
30 big oaks down -- about 5 or 6 of them resting on corners of houses, on garages or cars. Also, on same 3 streets there are 3 or 4 snapped power poles with huge transformers laying on the curbs. We drove around, as best we could, other nearby streets where the situation is the same. Basically you have to just back up and turn around because of trees across the residential streets. Now we just go out onto the major streets.

Couldn't find an open gas station for several days, nor ice. They
closed Harcourt Friday so I was able to stock up on water and ice right before it hit. We blew up the air mattress and jammed it into that tiny hallway between the bathroom and bedrooms, and the four of us cowered in there with flashlights and the radio as it went over us. It was hellacious -- 110 mile an hour winds. We could hear things clanking, crashing, thumping above the unbelievable ROAR of the wind.

Winter Park has a boil-water order for drinking water, but we have
plenty of that in bottles. It's been 90 degrees every day and with no A.C. the heat is the worst thing to contend with. I had bought a big mosquito net --the kind you hang over a bed -- to keep the dust off oil paintings I'm making -- so tonight we intend to take the air mattress out onto the back patio and hang the mosquito net over us and sleep out there.

Have been boiling water for coffee on the charcoal grill -- go out
periodically on the great ice hunt to repack the coolers. They have big semi trucks coming into neighborhoods handing out free ice. Harcourt was also closed Monday, so this is the first chance I've had to e-mail.

Winter Park was one of the hardest-hit suburbs of Orlando, and many
co-workers here got their power on in the last day or so. I think we'll begetting a generator tomorrow. The power company that services Winter Park had more than 300 of their big transmission towers knocked down, so we haven't even seen one of their trucks anywhere near our neighborhood yet. We fear that they mean the main power grid will be back up by Saturday, but once they come into our neighborhood it might be even longer...?

Well, we will think positive and hope for the best. We are fine and our house is fine and aside from some major tree expenses (which of course are not covered by homeowners insurance -- only if they hit your house) we will be back to normal before too long.

We thought we would rely on our cell phones, but too many cell towers were knocked down, so they didn't work after the storm and are still working only sporadically. We had only cordless phones in the house which, of course, plug into electrical outlets -- that was one thing I could have thought about before the storm but it didn't dawn on me. So when the stores opened up we went looking for regular phones that just plug into the jacks-- and of course there were none left on the shelves. We finally found one that a sales lady had stuck under the check-out desk. Even with it plugged in I've heard that people are having trouble getting through by phone.

It's hard to find hotel rooms that let you bring your dogs, and hard to find any vacancies, period. Some friends with power have offered to let us stay with them, but it's really less disruptive to stay in your own space as much as possible. And those cold showers feel pretty good in this heat!

We'll let you know how things go.
Love you guys!
S& L

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Blackcatter
Date: 20 Aug 04 - 03:26 PM

I'm here and alive, though worse for wear.

The above info is pretty good. here's my stuff:

I live in Downtown Orlando, 2 miles from all the big buildings.

Power when out 9pm Mudcat time Friday. that was when Charley hit Orlando. I just got power back on today at 2PM.

The eye went right over downtown and me. I checked wind gusts out side and saw them as high as 96 mph.

Every tree in my area is either down or heavily damaged if over 1 foot in diameter. My apartment weathered the storm all right, though I still have limbs on the roof. My scooter was totaled by a tree.

I've been living in 90+ degree heat for 7 days. Cell phones still don't work all that well because of downed towers.

Several of my friends have damaged homes - mostly from trees, but no one has any injuries. Things are getting back to normal, though it is still tough.

Thanks for all the concern, etc. Things will be fine. This is the 3rd hurricane I've been through and definately the worst, though I did go to Miami after Andrew to help with relief and that was even worse.

take care all,

Tom (Blackcatter)

That's about it. I'm going to upload a bunch of photos online soon and let you all know where they are.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Ellenpoly
Date: 20 Aug 04 - 03:30 PM

WHEW! So glad to hear you're alright, Blackcatter!

Looking forward to seeing pics from your area.

Stay cool, any way you can.

..xx..e

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: SINSULL
Date: 20 Aug 04 - 03:35 PM

Glad you're OK cat. Hope you have power soon.

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

So good to hear you are OK and very sorry about your scooter. Can you rescue it's battery and run a DC fan with it?

We had a fairly large fir come down in a wind here last night and although it was disconcerting, I can't begin to imagine the din of a hurricane. Take care.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Blackcatter
Date: 20 Aug 04 - 04:20 PM

My power's back on - that's how I can now communicate online.

I'm suffering from heat-exhaustion - not from my home being hot, but from spending nearly every daylight hour cleaning up the mess. At my house, at my former employers, at two friends homes, at my church, etc. Since Sat. morning I (and nearly everyone else) has put in 40-60 hours doing clean up.

The crews that got my electric back up today were from Mt. Airy North Carolina, Andy Griffith's home town and the model for Mayberry. A nice bit of a coincidence for someone who runs a TV theme website.

I've seen electrical crews from 12 states around town ththtis week.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Peace
Date: 20 Aug 04 - 04:29 PM

Good to hear from you, Tom.

Bruce M

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: JennyO
Date: 20 Aug 04 - 10:22 PM

Glad to hear you are all right, Blackcatter. We were a bit worried. Shame about your scooter though.

The world's weather seems to be going crazy at the moment - lots of stuff happening in the UK too, and the subject of global warming has been brought up a lot recently.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Aug 04 - 11:34 PM

Knock wood, but the tonadoes have missed Fort Worth this year. We had nothing for ages, then a couple of years apart several hit. It seems odd to have such chaos in the midst of normalcy (in your case, Blackcatter, surrounding counties untouched). I hope you don't have to travel far to get any supplies you need, or look too far for help.

I agree, JennyO, the weather is unusual. You would think it's late September here in Texas right now. Rain and cool temperatures. We're not complaining--just amazed.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 Aug 04 - 11:42 PM

Thanks for taking the time to let us know you are okay, Tom. It's good to hear from you and the others.

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Blackcatter
Date: 21 Aug 04 - 12:52 AM

Things arent too far from me - that's why I live in downtown. Gotta find a new "secondary" job, however. My employer of 3 years decided this week that he didn't have enough business to keep me on. Current'y that was 50% of my income.

I'll tell you, it's about 1 am, and it's nice to have the fans back on to keep me cool. I don't have a/c, but without the fans, the nights were unbearable trying to sleep in 85 degree heat with 80% humidity.

I also haven't had a pint of Guinness in over a week . . .

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: GUEST,Ellenpoly
Date: 21 Aug 04 - 07:34 AM

Best of luck, Blackcatter, finding work. Get a Guinness as soon as possible. All things will go better after it, I promise.


..xx..e

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Sep 04 - 09:56 AM

Heads up, all of you! This was at the top of the news this morning (as if you didn't already know--it's mostly so everyone else will know what you're going through):

Florida Braces for Hurricane Frances
September 2, 2004 07:56 AM EDT

STUART, Fla. - With homes still swaddled in blue tarp and the deaths from Hurricane Charley still fresh in their minds, Florida residents lined up before dawn Thursday for supplies or made evacuation plans as they braced for an onslaught that could be worse than Charley's. Three-quarters of a million people in Florida were told to leave their homes by Thursday afternoon as Hurricane Frances inched toward the U.S. mainland. States of emergency were declared in Georgia and Florida. The latest evacuation order was issued Thursday morning in Broward County, where up to 250,000 people living on barrier islands, in mobile homes and in low-lying areas were told to be ready to leave. Other counties that already issued orders included Palm Beach County and Brevard County.

Frances is just as strong as Hurricane Charley, which devastated Florida's southwest coast Aug. 13, but twice the size, said Stephen Baig, a forecaster at the National Hurricane Center in Miami. Frances was also about twice the size of 1992's Hurricane Andrew, which destroyed much of southern Miami-Dade County. That means that Frances' powerful hurricane-force winds, which extend up to 80 miles from its center, can cause just as much damage over a larger area, Baig said Thursday. Packing 145 mph winds and a course that has emergency officials in several Southeastern states jittery, the Category 4 storm was expected to fluctuate in intensity as it headed for a Labor Day weekend rendezvous.

Supermarkets along Florida's Atlantic coast were stripped of bottled water and canned goods. In the pre-dawn hours Thursday, long lines formed outside home supply stores in Palm Beach County, with dozens of people hoping for a chance to buy plywood or generators. A delivery truck's arrival was met with raucous applause. Reservation clerks of sold-out hotels groaned with each telephone ring, knowing someone seeking a room was on the other end. And demand for gas was so great some stations were pumped dry. "We can't control the kind of damage that Frances is going to cause, but if people are smart, lives can be saved," said Max Mayfield, the director of the National Hurricane Center.

As of 8 a.m., Frances' center was 470 miles east-southeast of Palm Beach. It was moving west-northwest near 13 mph, and was expected to continue that course for 24 hours. Forecasters said Frances could begin affecting Florida late Thursday, less than three weeks after Charley raked the state's west coast with 145 mph wind, causing billions of dollars in damage and killing 27 people.

Forecasters said France could become a Category 5 with winds of 156 mph or higher by the time it makes landfall. The difference wasn't something residents spent time discussing. "Category 4, Category 5, what's the difference? I'm still out of here," said Michele Byrd, 38, a food service executive from Vero Beach. "This one will probably be bigger than Charley. I don't see any way we're not getting hit."

Late Wednesday, the National Hurricane Center issued a hurricane watch for 310 miles of Florida coast from from Craig Key to Flagler Beach. A hurricane watch means that those areas could start feeling hurricane conditions within 36 hours. "People should not concentrate on the forecast track," forecaster Jack Beven said Thursday morning, urging residents of the entire watch region to immediately begin preparing. "A slight dip in the track could result in big changes in landfall."

Court trials were canceled in 10 counties, cruise lines kept their ships away and schools in nine counties were shuttered for Thursday; another three planned to do the same Friday. In St. Lucie County, a curfew was to go in effect Friday night.

The menacing strength of Frances coupled with the damage wrought by Charley in Florida had even normally stoic coastal Georgians spooked. "The people here are paying this one a little more attention than they normally would," said Tybee Island Mayor Walter Parker. "When I went to the Post Office today, some people said they're a little more concerned. They saw what Charley did to Florida."

In the Caribbean, the storm's lashing winds tore tin roofs off houses and plucked trees from the ground as it plowed through the Turks and Caicos. The Bahamas' prime minister warned that Frances could be the worst in the archipelago nation's history.

On the mainland, the storm and evacuations it forces are certain to spoil Labor Day outings and make a mess of holiday travel across the Southeast. Florida may reverse lanes on some highways to handle the evacuation traffic, state Emergency Management Director Craig Fugate said. Many businesses along the Atlantic coast began closing Wednesday, some not planning to reopen until Sunday at the earliest. Cape Canaveral's Kennedy Space Center shut down, leery of the havoc Frances could bring. "It's going to hit somewhere," said Stephanie Graniero, who was having hurricane shutters attached to her store along a deserted commercial strip of Delray Beach. "You have to try to stay calm and not panic. If it's going to hit, you have to be prepared."

An evacuation order was issued for 300,000 Palm Beach County residents, and those who live in mobile homes and flood-prone areas of Volusia, Brevard, Martin and Indian River counties also were ordered to find safer locations. Forecasters said storm surges of 15 feet or more could affect those areas if Frances takes dead aim. State officials worried about finding enough room in shelters. Many hotel rooms in southern Florida are occupied by emergency workers and people left homeless by Charley. Some schools and community centers are still being used as shelters.

To make matters worse, many rivers and lakes in the Carolinas and Virginia are already swollen with rains from a series of August storms. The most recent of those came Monday, when the remnants of Tropical Storm Gaston brought heavy rain and knocked down trees and power lines. Joe Farmer, of South Carolina's Emergency Management Division, said the state would likely have to deal with Frances even if it makes landfall in Florida since evacuees would head north on Interstate 95.

The last time two major storms hit Florida so close together was 1950, when Hurricane Easy hit the Tampa area and Hurricane King struck Miami about six weeks later. Neither of those storms was as powerful as Charley or Frances.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: harpgirl
Date: 02 Sep 04 - 10:38 AM

I'm worried sick! My folks and brother's family are in PB county. I wish they'd come up here but the damn thing will cut a path through the entire state it seems...

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: GUEST,SINSULL, why am I a GUEST
Date: 02 Sep 04 - 11:21 AM

Just got a message from my niece in Boca Raton. Her area is under mandatory evacuation. She has a ground floor apartment - not good. No water or canned goods left in the markets; no gas. Where are they evacuating people to - it looks as if the whole state will be hit.

Stay safe, guys.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: harpgirl
Date: 02 Sep 04 - 12:01 PM

I've talked to members of my family now and my brother is putting plywood on his windows and will stay put. He lives about three miles inland. My folks have their hurricane shutters up and they are on the fourth floor of a heavy 21 story building but it is only a few blocks from the coast and they face the hurricane path directly in their apt. I am so nervous...My mom is like "we're old and we've lived a good life..." I'm having a rough day, though I must say. It's a huge evacuation...not sure where everyone is going....tears...

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Amos
Date: 02 Sep 04 - 12:33 PM

Harpgirl:

Remember that the weather-boys STILL haven't mastered the art of predicting where a storm like Frances will actually touch down. For some reason they can't get their arms around it, so to speak. So, steady on and deal with what really happens, as there are far too many possibilities to even think about otherwise...your folks will get throught his one just fine.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Joe Offer
Date: 02 Sep 04 - 01:12 PM

My brother and his wife and cats are evacuating again, from Sarasota to Tallahassee. They moved from Wisconsin to Florida only a year ago, and I think they may be a bit more skittish than seasoned Floridians. Last time, my dad was forced to evacuate because he was on the water, and he stayed in my brother's home while my brother had evacuated elsewhere.
It doesn't look like the storm will come close to Sarasota, but I guess you never know.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Sep 04 - 03:36 PM

For those of you who think that Frances will miss some place in Florida - you'll be disappointed. Every track has it hitting somewhere in the middle and it's over 450 miles wide. No one get off scott free.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 03 Sep 04 - 11:42 AM

Any more news about hurricane Frances ?

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Sep 04 - 12:50 PM

I don't know think the links are durable, so here is a link to Weatherunderground. Click on Florida on the map, then try Orlando. The Miami radar is "down for maintenance" it says. What timing! Anyway, from there, if you click on the regional radar button you'll clearly see the leading curved edge of storms.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Bill D
Date: 03 Sep 04 - 01:29 PM

that link and the satellite photos work now, and it is scary looking...the weather system is bigger than the whole state. The heaviest, damaging winds could be as strong as Andrew, and twice as wide...It looks like it is heading on a path very similar to Andrew right now, but we all know the details can change.

I just hope that most affected are able to evacuate, and I hope that those who must stay are in the safest place possible. If good thoughts could help, we would all be sending that mess back out to sea.

It will be a long weekend...please take care.....

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: GUEST,Blackcatter
Date: 03 Sep 04 - 01:43 PM

Check out www.wftv.com

It's one of the local TV station sites in Orlando. they have the latest.

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...

Mockingbird Cafe Advertisement

Has it been a week or what?!! Hopefully, everybody's "picked up and patched
up" after the big blow! And we won't have to go through this again for a
whole 'nother week! Oh, well-- let's celebrate the fact hurricanes don't hit
EVERY day this Friday night at the Mockingbird Cafe in bee-utiful downtown
Havana!
We'll start you off with Leek and Potato Pie-- or a House Salad! Then its
CHICKEN IVAN-- a boneless chicken breast stuffed with spinach, sundried
tomatoes and mozzarella cheese! Or perhaps Chicago-style Italian Beef?!
We've got all your fave beverages-- and our homemade desserts are guaranteed
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!

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Blackcatter
Date: 09 Sep 04 - 04:27 PM

a milder and moister summer than the southern U.S. has seen in decades?

Moister, maybe, but in Florida it has been hardly milder. In late May we were already having our 90+ deg. days and afternoon thunderstorms. That's several weeks earlier than usual. Our Summer has continued to be as hot as any in the past 25 years.

This year was forcast to be a heavier tropical storm year. The fact that 3 and maybe 4 have hit Florida, is mostly a coincidence. The storms form were conditions are right and they head in directions that are deterimined by low and high weather systems. This is an unusual year, but so is going on a winning streak in Blackjack.

That Florida has been hit so many times means that other places haven't been hit dramatically. The Texas/Louisiana Gulf Coast has been spared, as has the Yucatan, for the most part.

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

HURRICANE LOCAL STATEMENT...HURRICANE IVAN
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE KEY WEST FL
155 PM EDT THU SEP 9 2004

...MANDATORY EVACUATION OF ALL VISITORS AND NON-RESIDENTS...

...MANDATORY EVACUATION OF ALL RECREATIONAL VEHICLES...

...A MANDATORY EVACUATION MAY BE REQUIRED FOR ALL RESIDENTS IN THE
FLORIDA KEYS AND FLAMINGO FRIDAY MORNING AT 700 AM...

...RESIDENTS THAT WISH TO LEAVE TODAY ARE ENCOURAGED TO DO SO...

...NEW INFORMATION SINCE LAST ISSUANCE...
THE STORM INFORMATION HAS BEEN UPDATED.

...AREAS AFFECTED...
THIS STATEMENT IS SPECIFIC TO THE FLORIDA KEYS OF MONROE COUNTY.

...WATCHES AND WARNINGS...
NO WATCHES OR WARNINGS ARE IN EFFECT FOR THE FLORIDA KEYS AT THIS
TIME. HOWEVER...REMEMBER THAT A HURRICANE WATCH MEANS THAT SUSTAINED
WINDS OF 74 MPH OR GREATER AND DAMAGING STORM SURGE IS POSSIBLE
WITHIN 36 HOURS.

...STORM INFORMATION...
AT 200 PM...THE CENTER OF HURRICANE IVAN WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE
14.8 NORTH...LONGITUDE 72.0 WEST...ABOUT 930 MILES SOUTHEAST OF KEY
WEST...OR ABOUT 360 MILES SOUTHEAST OF JAMAICA. IVAN IS MOVING
TOWARD THE WEST-NORTHWEST NEAR 15 MPH. IVAN IS A CATEGORY FIVE
HURRICANE ON THE SAFFIR SIMPSON HURRICANE SCALE...CAPABLE OF
CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE. MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS WERE NEAR 160 MPH...
WITH HIGHER GUSTS. ESTIMATED MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE 923 MB...OR
27.26 INCHES.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: freda underhill
Date: 09 Sep 04 - 04:57 PM

from sydney, with jenny, i send my best wishes and hope that you all get the help you need to see through this one.

freda

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Blackcatter
Date: 09 Sep 04 - 05:06 PM

5PM 5 day forcast.


The current track shows the eye passing the coast of Florida by Tampa. But this storm is at least as large as Frances, which means that if it passes over 200 miles out into the Gulf, most of Florida will still get hit my hurricane force winds. Plus, the current track shows it heading straight into the Panhandle.

Winds are down to 150mph, but it's going through a cycle that is temporary. Kingston Jamaica will get hit with sustained winds of 150-165 mph.

Sorry about the several posts, but since I'm out of a job and it's currently raining outside, I ain't got nothing else to do.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 Sep 04 - 05:13 PM

Its projected path is awfully close to Yucatan if it decides to wobble a bit to the left. It looks like anywhere it hits it will do a lot of damage. The reports have been coming in from Grenada today, 90% of the homes damaged or destroyed.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Blackcatter
Date: 09 Sep 04 - 05:18 PM

Lou's Weather Watch - Florida

Above is an excellent page that gets the latest images and forecasts from NOAA and other agencies.

You know, the rumor is that Florida has finally hit on the way to discourage any more people moving to the state. Of course, they refuse to admit what it is...

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: CarolC
Date: 09 Sep 04 - 06:17 PM

Looks like Ivan might be heading straight toward us here in the southern part of the Alabama/Georgia border, unless it takes a swing toward the NE.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Bill D
Date: 09 Sep 04 - 06:23 PM

I wonder how they will use the storms to justify voting irregularities in a few weeks....

I am a woodturner/collector...Florida is the best place in the country for a wide variety of exotic timber. It looks like a ...ummmmm....windfall for guys like me. But I'd sure be happy to forego the 'extra' wood in favor of some dry, quiet days for you folks down there...

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Blackcatter
Date: 09 Sep 04 - 06:55 PM

Bill - most of the wood that has been created by the storms is in the process of being ground into chips so that it can be put into newly-created landfills and take up as little space as possible. If the wood you use is grown on public lands, I'm afraid that much of it will be destroyed.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Blackcatter
Date: 09 Sep 04 - 11:10 PM

11pm Thursday track keeps it passing directly to the west of Tampa - hitting Kingston, Havana, Key West, Tampa and the Big Bend region of Florida.

150 mph sustained winds (155+ is Cat. 5)

It has slowed down to 13mph which usually means it has more chance to strengthen.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Gern
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 03:59 PM

In case you're keeping score, this is the third straight major hurricane of the season on a forecast track headed straight for Tampa Bay. I'm eight feet above the bay right now, and it came right up to the top of our seawall during Frances. Current forecast suggests no such luck next week.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Blackcatter
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 06:48 PM

One day later and the track continues to forecast a hit on the west and central part of the state.

Here's wishing the poor of Jamaica make it through with their lives.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Joe Offer
Date: 11 Sep 04 - 02:04 AM

My brother moved from Milwaukee to Sarasota last year. He's going to evacuate for Ivan, the third time he'll have evacuated. He e-mailed me this morning, asking me to talk my dad into evacuating. Dad lives on the mainland close to the water, but in a protected area. He had to evacuate during the two previous storms - and ironically he went to my brother's house, which is about a mile inland.

So, what do you think? Does Dad need to leave Sarasota for this one?

-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: JennyO
Date: 11 Sep 04 - 02:47 AM

It looks to me as if that part of the west coast can expect a pretty high storm surge, at the very least, and if I was on the west coast, I would be evacuating for sure, particularly because of the danger of flooding. But then, I come from a pretty quiet part of the world for weather - not used to this kind of thing. If I was anywhere in Florida, I'd be nervous. I think your dad should evacuate, Joe. I hope your brother can talk him into it.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Blackcatter
Date: 11 Sep 04 - 01:06 PM

While storm surge is serious - it is only a worry for those living on barrier islands or on the shore of the waterways between the islands and the mainland. That's why there is always mandatory evacuations for the islands. The storm surge is really just extra high waves - Florida builds homes within 50 - 100 feet of the ocean or gulf. 12-15 foot waves cross all that flat sand, rush up the sand dunes and hit the buildings. That's what destroys so many of the beachfront buildings. Those buildings on the inland side of the barrier islands have a good deal less damage. There, it is mostly wind damage.

I would say you dad should evactuate if he is:

in a mandatory evacuation area
in a mobile home
in an area already flooded
in a wood framed home older than 10 years
if his roof sustained any damage in the previous storms
if nearly all of his neighbors are getting out

Otherwise, he's probably ok - but hey, probably ain't a good enough assurance for me - there are shelters close to his home. Have him go there - they have generators, tv, hot food and nice people. He'll probably make new friends. Bring a deck of cards and candy.

The other thing to remember is that fire trucks and paramedics will not go out to nearly any 911 call if the wind is blowing over 40mph. If someone has a heart attack in the middle of the hurricane, they are really in truoble, but all shelters have nurses, paramedics to help anyone there.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Joe Offer
Date: 11 Sep 04 - 01:38 PM

I got word that Dad plans to stick it out in Sarasota. He doesn't get hysterical about these things, but he has everything all taken care of. The nursing home where my mother lives says he can stay there. He's a longtime member of the Power Squadron, and he can stay in their shelter and hang out with the guys if he likes. Or he can do like he did the previous two storms and go to the house that my brother evacuated.
So, I'm sure Dad will be OK.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Amergin
Date: 11 Sep 04 - 04:09 PM

The latest projection for ivan

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: GUEST,Harpy
Date: 11 Sep 04 - 06:34 PM

Well, I'm in Pensacola for the night but I'm going to BATTEN DOWN THE HATCHES THIS WEEK. My State Farm insurance is not going to pay my claim because they raised the deductible to seven thousand dollars and wrote a clause in the policy that says if there is a hurricane watch anywhere in Florida no regular deductibles apply until 72 hours after the last hurricane warning. So I'm screwed if a bigger hurricane hits my house....harpy

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 12 Sep 04 - 01:28 AM

Okay, my fellow Floridians, take a break from worrying about Ivan and read this. No, it's not original humor, it was emailed from a friend in California but it's purty funny anyway.

------------

Hurricane Season in Florida

For those of you not living in Florida...this is what we look forward to each year.

You all should be aware of hurricane preparations, but in case you need a refresher course:

We're about to enter the peak of the hurricane season. Any day now, you're going to turn on the TV and see a weather person pointing to some radar blob out in the Atlantic Ocean and making two basic meteorological points.

(1) There is no need to panic.
(2) We could all be killed.

Yes, hurricane season is an exciting time to be in Florida. If you're
new to the area, you're probably wondering what you need to do to
prepare for the possibility that we'll get hit by "the big one." Based
on our insurance industry experiences, we recommend that you follow
this simple three-step hurricane preparedness plan:

STEP 1: Buy enough food and bottled water to last your family for at
least three days.
STEP 2: Put these supplies into your car.
STEP 3: Drive to Nebraska and remain there until Halloween.

Unfortunately, statistics show that most people will not follow this
sensible plan. Most people will foolishly stay here in Florida. We'll
start with one of the most important hurricane preparedness items:

HOMEOWNERS' INSURANCE:

If you own a home, you must have hurricane insurance. Fortunately, this insurance is cheap and easy to get, as long as your home meets two basic requirements:

(1) It is reasonably well-built, and
(2) It is located in Wisconsin

Unfortunately, if your home is located in Florida, or any other area
that might actually be hit by a hurricane, most insurance companies
would prefer not to sell you hurricane insurance, because then they
might be required to pay YOU money, and that is certainly not why they got into the insurance business in the first place. So you'll have to scrounge around for an insurance company, which will charge you an annual premium roughly equal to the replacement value
of your house. At any moment, this company can drop you like used dental floss.

SHUTTERS: Your house should have hurricane shutters on all the windows
and all the doors. There are several types of shutters, with advantages and disadvantages:

-- Plywood shutters: The advantage is that, because you make them
yourself, they're cheap.
-- Sheet-metal shutters: The advantage is that these work well, once you get them all up. The disadvantage is that once you get them all up, your hands will be useless bleeding stumps, and it will be December.
-- Roll-down shutters: The advantages are that they're very easy to use, and will definitely protect your house. The disadvantage is that you will have to sell your house to pay for them.
-- Hurricane-proof windows: These are the newest wrinkle in hurricane
protection: They look like ordinary windows, but they can withstand
hurricane winds! You can be sure of this, because the salesman says so. He lives in Nebraska.

Hurricane Proofing your property:

As the hurricane approaches, check your yard for movable objects like
barbecue grills, planters, patio furniture, visiting relatives, etc...
You should, as a precaution, throw these items into your swimming pool
(if you don't have a swimming pool, you should have one built immediately). Otherwise, the hurricane winds will turn these objects into deadly missiles.

EVACUATION ROUTE:

If you live in a low-lying area, you should have an evacuation route
planned out. (To determine whether you live in a low-lying area, look at your driver's license; if it says "Florida," you live in a low-lying area). The purpose of having an evacuation route is to avoid being trapped in your home when a major storm hits. Instead, you will be trapped in a gigantic traffic jam several miles from your home, along with two hundred thousand other evacuees. So, as a bonus, you will not be lonely.

HURRICANE SUPPLIES:

If you don't evacuate, you will need a mess of supplies. Do not buy them now! Florida tradition requires that you wait until the last possible minute, then go to the supermarket and get into vicious fights with strangers over who gets the last can of SPAM. In
addition to food and water, you will need the following supplies:

- 23 flashlights. At least $167 worth of batteries that turn out, when
the power goes off, to be the wrong size for the flashlights.
- Bleach. (No, I don't know what the bleach is for. NOBODY knows what
the bleach is for, but it's traditional, so GET some!)
- A big knife that you can strap to your leg. (This will be useless in a hurricane, but it looks cool.)
- A large quantity of raw chicken, to placate the alligators. (Ask
anybody who went through Andrew; after the hurricane, there WILL be
irate alligators.)
- $35,000 in cash or diamonds so that, after the hurricane passes, you
can buy a generator from a man with no discernible teeth.

Of course these are just basic precautions. As the hurricane draws near, it is vitally important that you keep abreast of the situation by turning on your television and watching TV reporters in rain slickers stand right next to the ocean and tell you over and over how vitally important it is for everybody to stay away from the ocean.

Good luck, and remember:

It's great living in Paradise.

----------

You may now resume worrying.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: katlaughing
Date: 12 Sep 04 - 01:40 AM

Harpgirl, that is NOT fair of the insurance company. There should be something you can do to make them pay! Here's hoping your hatches stay battened and you come through safely, with no more damage.

Bee-dubya-ell, funny!

Anyone had any contact with Banjer?

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Blackcatter
Date: 12 Sep 04 - 07:40 PM

Wonderful Bee-dubya-ell!

The first actually funny thing about hurricanes I've seen.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: JennyO
Date: 13 Sep 04 - 09:00 AM

I thought Amergin's link on 11 Sept, 4.09pm, was funny. If you haven't clicked on it yet, have a look.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 13 Sep 04 - 12:46 PM

That is funny!

Unfortunately, Ivan seems to be drawing a bead on Pensacola and my humble li'l cabin in th' woods is only about forty miles northwest of there. The good news is that the forecasters never get it right, so them saying that Pensacola is Ground Zero almost guarantees that it'll go somewhere else. But, just in case they're actually right this time, we're securing the place today and will make a stay-or-scram decision tomorrow when the probable landfall location is a little more precise. I've wanted to visit Mountainview, Arkansas for quite some time and this might just be the time to go.

This computer may be packed in the van soon and we may have no power for a while. So, if you don't hear from my sorry ass for a while, blame it on Ivan.

Bruce

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: harpgirl
Date: 13 Sep 04 - 01:19 PM

Say hi to Dale Rose if you go, Bruce. And Arkie lives at the foot of Dodd Mountain.

I have just been informed by my son that he may have to evacuate from UWF and he wants me to go get him. I just got back from there yesterday! This whole hurricane thing is driving me bat shit! I'm going to tell him to take the bus!

Stay safe, huh?
harp

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Sep 04 - 01:26 PM

Well, I'm in Pensacola for the night but I'm going to BATTEN DOWN THE HATCHES THIS WEEK. My State Farm insurance is not going to pay my claim because they raised the deductible to seven thousand dollars and wrote a clause in the policy that says if there is a hurricane watch anywhere in Florida no regular deductibles apply until 72 hours after the last hurricane warning. So I'm screwed if a bigger hurricane hits my house....harpy

It sounds like your state insurance commissioner is in the pocket of the big insurance companies. Perhaps if a large enough cluster of folks get burned, it will be enough to generate a class-action lawsuit against the company or the commisser's office (or both).

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Blackcatter
Date: 13 Sep 04 - 06:28 PM

I'm not taking down the plywood until Ivan passes central Florida, and not holding my breath.

If it does indeed hit the panhandle, I wish you all the best of luck.

We should try and have an end-of-hurricane-season meet-up somewhere. I don't have my own transportation but can always talk a friend into a (short) trip Maybe a meet-up in Gainesville or Ocala.

Any ideas?

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 Sep 04 - 10:17 PM

Here's a little more humour for you'all: Hurricane cartoons.

Stay safe!

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: harpgirl
Date: 13 Sep 04 - 10:42 PM

Now the contractor is charging me almost thirty percent more than his estimate! And he won't do the caulking and painting because " he doesn't really do that" and wants me to hire another set of people to do that! I withheld the extra thirty percent and demanded that he finish the job but now he'll probaably just send it to collections! Bah, humbug!

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Blackcatter
Date: 15 Sep 04 - 12:35 AM

Hold on Gulf Coast. Best of luck in the next few days.

Of course Jeanne may hit Florida too.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Bill D
Date: 15 Sep 04 - 09:27 AM

I lived in New Orleans in 1947, and the hurricane that hit there in Oct. of that year flooded low-lying areas badly...the latest news says that a category 4 storm might do irrereparible damage and kill thousands (front page of Washington Post, quoting Walter Maestri. an emergency manager for the city.) The levees are only designed for a category 3. Lets hope the man is being over dramatic, but if he is not, then one of the most vulnerable cities in the country has been living on borrowed time for many years.......

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Banjer
Date: 15 Sep 04 - 09:40 PM

HI Folks!! I am high and dry!! We dodged the bullet on all three major ones so far...Charley went way to our south, although he was oiriginaly slated to come right into the mouth of Tampa Bay. Frances came in from the east and went through mid state quite a ways to our east...and of course Ivan..right up the Gulf...

We have received some rain...lost power for about 12 hours on Labor Day, but if that's the worst that happens to us...we can thank our lucky stars. There are many people that lost everything...I feel badly for them all!! I think Florida has had enough hurricanes for a while!

Kat Laughing sent me an e-mail asking me if I am well...Thanks for the concerns and prayers...

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: GUEST,Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 15 Sep 04 - 09:56 PM

I'm on an ATM in a hotel lobby in Hot Springs, Arkansas. It sucks. We are safe for now. Getting home to Pensacola will suck, I'm sure.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: harpgirl
Date: 15 Sep 04 - 11:13 PM

Have fun in that Sodom and Gomorahh, Bruce. Hot Springs is a lot of fun. Lots of bluegrass around there. Are you worried about your spread? Was the traffic bad? Nathan is evacuated from his dorm at UWF to the Commons building. I hope he is okay.

The winds are getting stronger here and there are dozens of tornados all around the coast. I'm praying another tree doesn't fall on my house. I used my property tax money to pay the contractor's bill....

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: katlaughing
Date: 15 Sep 04 - 11:21 PM

HeyaBanj! Thanks for checking in!

Bee-dubya-ell...glad you made it outta there.

Good luck to you, hg and to Nathan...

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Sep 04 - 11:23 PM

Bruce,

The area around Hot Springs is quite lovely--but of course, if you're a captive audience to the eastern hardwood forests and the limestone and quartz geologic features it might not hold the same appeal. My favorite place to buy quartz is from a fellow in Mt. Ida, about 30 miles west of Hot Springs. There are lots of places that sell crystals, but this guy owns a mine and has some uncommon types of crystals. I sent one of his "regular" nice ones to catsPHiddle a couple of years ago (for being such a charming Santa's Helper and running the Secret Santa program!)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: artbrooks
Date: 15 Sep 04 - 11:58 PM

My parents, who live in Navarre (Pensacola suburb, right on the water, sorta), have gone to Atlanta to stay with my sister. The last time they evacuated, at the last minute, they ended up on a friendly stranger's floor in northern Mississippi. At last report, Ivan was heading right into the mouth of Mobile Bay, and that is right down the road. Hold on to your hats, everybody.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: CarolC
Date: 16 Sep 04 - 02:07 AM

It looks like we'll be on the outer edge of the hurricane pretty much the whole time, but what has me a bit jumpy right now is the tornado watch for the areas to the north and northeast of the main part of the storm. We're in a tornado watch area right now. If we can make it through that part, I think we'll be ok.

The good part of our lifestyle is that we are pretty self-contained. If power or water goes out, we have our own supply, and we won't be too inconvenienced. The down side is that we can blow away pretty easily if the winds are strong enough.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Sep 04 - 10:53 AM

Instead of jack-stands to support the corners you need turnbuckles and anchors to tie yourselves down.

You would have to have tried outrunning it before now if you were going to move. Driving with a trailer in the high wind puts a different spin on the term "hell on wheels."

Good luck!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: harpgirl
Date: 16 Sep 04 - 04:39 PM

I wish I could hear how my son is doing. He went with his dorm mates to the Commons building. Somehow, I know my son is okay but I am sorry he had to go through this less than a month after he left home for the first time in his almost 22 years.

Devastation in Pensacola. The I10 bridge east across Escambia bay is out. the bridge from Gulf Breeze to Pensacola Beach is out. The Navarre bridge is out. It is a terrible terrible thing.

At the end of my day talking with anxious people about hurricanes in addition to all their other troubles, I get to see if my house sustained any more damage during the day today while I was at work. The winds have been very strong all day and have just died down in the last hour...When I left this morning I could hear the trees cracking as the wind blew...It has been an unpleasant week in the land of flowers...

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: harpgirl
Date: 16 Sep 04 - 11:20 PM

...To top it off UWF is now closed for a week and I have to go get my son. His dorm is closed and the campus is blocked. He has a change of clothes and his books and the only alternative is to stay in a shelter for a week. I have to get to Pensacola through the roadblocks, the national guard, the looters, the flooding, the downed power lines, and the debris. There is no public transportation out of Pensacola and the trains aren't running. All the bridges are damaged and I10 is closed. So I have to go nearly to Alabama to get in from the north...It's been a shitty week...

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: CarolC
Date: 16 Sep 04 - 11:30 PM

Good luck to you, harpgirl. Sounds like you could use some. It's good he's got his books with him, though, and that he's safe.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: katlaughing
Date: 16 Sep 04 - 11:44 PM

{{{{{harpgirl}}}}}}

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Sep 04 - 12:29 AM

Sounds like you need some old fashioned ferry service for a while around there!

Good luck in negotiating all of the obstacles.

Who'd have though that over a month later we're still asking if folks in Florida are okay after a hurricane?

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Blackcatter
Date: 17 Sep 04 - 01:09 AM

I don't know if the rest of the country (and world) has been watching, but Hurricane Jeanne is leaving the coast of Hispaniola and is heading on a general track to the east coast of Florida. Current projected track has it passing the coast and eventually hitting South Carolina, but there is still a good possibility that it will come on shore in Florida too.

Woo Hoo.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: SINSULL
Date: 17 Sep 04 - 05:50 PM

Maybe some good news for harpgirl: The New York Times reported that the State of Florida is looking into insurance practices regarding multiple deductible charges for damage caused by closely occurring hurricanes. In fact they are looking into insurance practices for home coverage in general.

Meantime, keep yourself safe. Your son can survive in a shelter for a few days if that is his only option.

SINS

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Once Famous
Date: 17 Sep 04 - 05:52 PM

i hope it missed Florida.

The Cubs have a make-up double header on Monday with the Marlins.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Bill D
Date: 17 Sep 04 - 06:32 PM

The video from Pensacola is not pretty....I hope harpgirl can get close enough to effect the rescue....they are not letting people into some areas, and roads in Alabama are only marginally better.

And Jeanne is, for now, downgraded again...it may still pick up some steam and be a problem, but not likely with full Hurricane strength..

In the meantime, Ivan's leftovers are hitting us in Maryland and neighboring Virginia tonight....tornado and flood warnings everywhere..

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: harpgirl
Date: 18 Sep 04 - 09:31 AM

I've got my little 6'4" baby home! And boy, was he stinky from no shower for three days. He slept on couches when he did sleep in the Commons and the Red Cross fed the students. But he promises to help with my yard clean up this week.I just barely got the contractor to caulk and paint before we got the feeder bands from Ivan. But no more structural damage at my house, thank goodness!

I cried when I drove into the UWF campus. It was one of the most beautiful campuses I had ever seen. Now there are hundreds of broken trees everywhere, debris, and damaged buildings. School is closed for at least a week.It was an all day drive and of course no work for me Friday. But I'll recover from the schedule demolition of last week!   

I went all the way to Milton on I10. Then we were routed to 90. The 90 road had one lane open. The other lane, the lane towards the bay was covered with storm surge debris and broken asphalt where it had just crumbled. There were boats everywhere in the marshes around the top of the bay. Broken trees littered the expressway beginning at the west side of Okaloosa county. Highway signs and billboards were demolished. I passed National Guard and Army convoys, Baptist Convention disaster trucks, Salvation Army trucks, Red Cross disaster trucks and dozens and dozens of electric utility trucks and tree trimming trucks.

The roads in Pensacola were clogged with drivers trying to get home. There was no gas at all, all the way east to Bonifay and we nearly ran out of gas on the way home. There were no traffic lights, no electricity, and no water. Pensacola was a horrible horrible sight...the National Guard protects the malls, the police had the University cordoned off and they directed traffic at all the intersections.   

My heart just breaks for all the people who have sustained losses.

The storm surge did a great deal of damage and homes were just washed away on the barrier islands...

It will take a long time to recover from this storm. Thanks, mudcatters for all your comments and support. Not much upsets me, but this certainly did...Now let's pray for no more hurricanes this season...

I hope Bruce has a home to return to from Arkansas...Good luck BWL this one was really bad!

harp

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Blackcatter
Date: 18 Sep 04 - 09:50 AM

I went to buy gas last evening (in Orlando) for my boss's car and had to go to 6 gas stations before I found one with gas. Florida gets its gas from refineries in the Carribean and the spate of hurricanes have messed up the shipping so much that there are shortages everywhere.

I'm not complaining, mind you, but the gas issue is a good example of just how disruptive the hurricanes have been for the whole region.

Continued best wishes Harpgirl.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Teresa
Date: 20 Sep 04 - 08:43 PM

I'm crossing my fingers for everyone in the hurricane zones. My stepdad has relatives in fort Walton, near Pensacola, and he hasn't heard from them yet. :(

Everyone, take care, and may the weather stay fair.

T

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Bill D
Date: 20 Sep 04 - 10:15 PM

wow...no matter how bad you have it, someone has it worse!...glad you made it ok, harpy, and glad you'll have some help this week.

Even with descriptions like that and the video we see on the news, it is hard to appreciate how widespread the damage is, and how VERY much stress on millions of people. At least in the deep south there is a longer construction season...but it's gonna be a tedious few months...

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: artbrooks
Date: 20 Sep 04 - 10:32 PM

My parents heard second-hand from a neighbor that their house had no major (visible) damage and that the water didn't get that far up their block. They will be heading home this weekend, with fingers crossed. Still no power and gasolene is very scarce. Long lines for supplies of potable water, ice and MREs (yuck!).

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 Sep 04 - 11:42 PM

hg, really glad to hear that you are both home and okay...so sad and sorry about the devastation

Blackcatter...I had not idea the oil for Fla. came from the Carribean. I guess I figured they trucked it or piped it in from Texas and Louisiana, though I've never really thought about before. Thanks for the interesting update. I hope it gets easier for you all quite soon.

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Blackcatter
Date: 21 Sep 04 - 10:54 AM

I believe that several of the larger islands such as Trinidad, Puerto Rico and Hispaniola have major refineries, and of course, we get a lot of oil from Venezuela as well.

But hey, without all those old oil barrels, where would Calypso music be?


Everything else is getting back to normal. At least it's starting to cool down, it's only in the mid to high 80s this week.

Of course, then there's Lisa out in the Atlantic...

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: paddymac
Date: 21 Sep 04 - 09:31 PM

Florida has indeed sustained incredible economic losses, but little loss of life. Tropical storm Jeanne, however, killed over 500 people in the islands. I live about five miles from Harpy, and had no damages at all. A small twister pulled 50'laurel oak right out of the ground and laid it down behind my place. Took out the power lines to the building, but didn't touch the building at all. The city had it back up (the power, that is) within three hours. The folks at the university say that "statisticly," the worst of it is over for FL. We'll likely get some more rain over the next two months, but very low probability of another hit. "Possibility, however, is another thing altogether. We had a show at our local watering hole the weekend between Frances and Ivan. The state climatologist came to the show and declared it "the official state hurricane party." Between Bonny & Charley & Frances then behind us, and Ivan heading our way, folks just didn't seem receptive to a "Half Way to St Paddy's Day" bash. We had a skit by the "Joycean Players", three solos, a duet, and my band "Paddy Go Easy." It was a small crowd, but the house was very happy - they reported it was the best drinking crowd they had for a long time.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Blackcatter
Date: 22 Sep 04 - 06:39 PM

Current storm track for Jeanne:

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ftp/graphics/AT11/refresh/AL1104W5+GIF/132133W5.gif

Karl and Lisa are less likely to hit the eastern seaboard.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Burke
Date: 23 Sep 04 - 10:16 AM

But IVAN is poised for a 2nd hit!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Sep 04 - 12:41 PM

I heard that on the news this morning--I've been aware of rain and winds and flooding in the east, but thought Ivan had toddled off across the Atlantic again by now. And here he is looping back.

"Ivan--the comeback kid!"

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: GUEST,Blackcatter
Date: 23 Sep 04 - 04:33 PM

Yes, Ivan did actually hit Central Florida - Rianed like the dickens in Orlando all day Monday. No wind to speak of. Just added another 3-6 inches of water to areas who continue to be flooded.

As for Jeanne - looks at the moment as if it will sideswipe the east Florida coast. If is messes with Jacksonville that will make every major area in FLorida hit with hurricane force winds this year - except most of the Keys. Go figure.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Blackcatter
Date: 23 Sep 04 - 10:35 PM

Well now Jeanne is forcasted hitting the East coast with Frances like winds about 50 miles north of where Frances hit and curving through Kissimmee and Orlando and up and out through the area between Daytona and Jacksonville.

Woo - freakin' - hoo

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: artbrooks
Date: 23 Sep 04 - 10:46 PM

My parents returned to Navarre today, and apparently had little or no damage.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Tweed
Date: 24 Sep 04 - 09:25 AM

I escaped Frances via a trip to the Holy Lands of Mississippi. I came back to West Palm to power outages and ripped up trees and roofs, boil water orders.....gahhhh...

I reckon I will get to sit in the middle of Jeanne this weekend. Last nite and early this morning the gas stations were jampacked with crazed motorists lining up. The supermarkets were selling out of everything and people had plywood piled in pickups and tied to the roofs of their Corollas. It seems a sure bet that we will get wacked pretty good here in Palm Beach County.
I did manage to grab some pasta and soupcans at the local Publix. Need to find a good sized pot to boil water in somewhere today. The fun never ends down here in Paradise. ;~)

Tweed

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Blackcatter
Date: 24 Sep 04 - 09:56 AM

Getting prepared in Orlando again. Looks like we're only going to get side-swiped with the "softer" side of the storm. For those of you who may not know, the southern and western sides of a hurricane are typically less intense.

Looks like that West Palm might only get a glancing blow since landfall is forcasted around Kennedy Space Center. Bad news for KSC though, they sustained moderate damage to the VAB (the big building in which they store the shuttles). More damage won't be good.

I still got everything around from the past storms. Just have to stick the 2 liter bottles filled with water back into the freezer to make ice.

And it looks like I'll be working for FEMA after Jeanne passes. They're about the only thing hiring down here right now, but the jobs are only scheduled to last through December.


Really, this is getting silly.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: harpgirl
Date: 24 Sep 04 - 12:54 PM

Well, I and my family have had about enough!!!!! My brother moves to his new apt today since his old one was rendered unliveable by whichever damned hurricane hit down there....just in time for the next one...my mother is so stressed at 80 she is telling me she is fixing her closets so I don't have too much to clean out when she dies...my 81 year old dad is moving my brother and his family...
I couldn't believe when I checked the hurricane map that Ivan was back in the gulf and now realized just this morning my family in SFlorida faces another one!! I'm damn mad and I'm not taking any more!!!!If I lose one of my parents from this next storm I will be resigning from responsible life and becoming a bum, because what is the point? Mother nature sucks....

love, harpy

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Big Mick
Date: 24 Sep 04 - 01:30 PM

I have had you all in my thoughts and prayers over this last month. Several of the Florida 'Catters are among the longest serving members. When one has enjoyed the cyber company of, and sometimes fought with (inevitably making up), folks for so long they become friends in a very real sense. Should any of you want to visit Michigan to get away, you can count on me.

Please be as safe as Mother Nature allows you to be.

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Sep 04 - 01:33 PM

Ivan has sloshed into the Texas Gulf coast now, and they're calling for a real soaking in the Houston area. Our forecasters up here in the Fort Worth and Dallas areas don't expect it to reach this far. But we have another wet front coming through, and something tells me this is a remnant from a recent hurricane/typhoon in the Gulf of California that hit Arizona and New Mexico earlier in the week.

I'm still watering my tomatoes this morning. If I don't, it won't rain at all here.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Amos
Date: 24 Sep 04 - 01:45 PM

Physician, heal thyself!!

A

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Blackcatter
Date: 24 Sep 04 - 02:14 PM

Thanks Mick.

Friends of mine and I have been thinking of moving ot Canada because of politics in the U.S. and the hurricanes haven't helped a bit. If we do, we might pass by you on our way.

This thing with the hurricanes is just wearying for the most part.

I hope Jeanne stays off-shore long enough to have our Mabon ritual this Saturday evening. Incidentally, we call it the Feast of Mosquitoes around here to connected it better with Florida and this year it is certainly appropo.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Rapparee
Date: 24 Sep 04 - 02:21 PM

Pocatello awaits the hurricane-weary.

We don't get hurricanes up here. Or much snow, either. Or much rain. Just sunshine and nice temperatures.

But I'm sending all the good stuff I can Florida-way. You're right -- this is getting silly.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Bill D
Date: 24 Sep 04 - 02:33 PM

ain't it about time we turned all of Flo-ra-dah into a wildlife sanctuary, NASA facility, and amusement park? No permanent residents or private homes....just visitors and researchers...oh, yeah, and the Hurricane Center can stay, too....


Make all the structures curved and storm resistant, and conduct regular drills for the temp workers on how to GET OUT when storms come. They say with warming patterns, it just may get worse for a few years...

Well...I'm only half-serious.....

y'all take care, ya' hear?

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: harpgirl
Date: 24 Sep 04 - 04:14 PM

Everyone else gets to Rant when they have s**t bothering them! I get to as well!

Now back to being a grownup. I have a gig tonight. I have a full day's work tomorrow (Saturday), I have to cut up all the wood in my back yard that I haven't gotten to yet. But, I have thought about moving back home to Michigan, I admit that! At least snow and ice doesn't usually do as much damage.

I am worried about but Be-Dubya-L is coming back to. We haven't heard anything yet so if he's home he doesn't have electricity. Bruce, are you out there?

I agree, Blackcatter, it's getting ridiculous but everyone potentially affected should still prepare, Jeb even said that in Spanish today on the radio. For once I agree with a Bush.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: harpgirl
Date: 24 Sep 04 - 04:18 PM

1. Charley
2. Frances
3. Ivan
4. Sale

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Blackcatter
Date: 24 Sep 04 - 07:28 PM

While I wouldn't be surprised if we see a hurricane with a "S" name this year, I don't think Sale is it . . .

Really, while this year has been tough, I have lived 25 years in Florida and with the exception of this year, I've only had to deal with 2 other hurricanes. Neither of those were big deals.

I've been through two earthquakes in San Bernardino, CA (used to live 1 mile from the San Andreas Fault), and 2 winters of tons of snow and skiing to school (living at 10,000 ft. on the south slope of the Grand Mesa in Colorado). 5 hurricanes in 25 years ain't so bad.

Hell, the worst part is that each one has ruined a perfectly good weekend. Labor Day is the day I host my annual chili cook-off with over 100 chilies and $2,500 is prizes. Had to cancelled the first one in 9 years.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Bill D
Date: 24 Sep 04 - 07:54 PM

I didn't know Abby had a storm named after him! Maybe Orlando knows something we don't....

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Blackcatter
Date: 25 Sep 04 - 01:10 AM

Well I know Abby. The man, not the hurricane.

By the way, he doesn't check in here all that often, but Abby's fine - weathered the first two of the triumverate of storms ok.

Eye is do to come on shore around 3-5AM Sunday. Currently it is expected to go through Orlando, so I might be able to see my second eye of the year.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: harpgirl
Date: 25 Sep 04 - 10:11 AM

Well, blackcatter, I'm glad you found work again with FEMA. I was wondering how you would fare with your business so affected.

FEMA gave my brother five days to move out of his appt because the damage was so extensive. He had the roof cave in in two places, extensive mold, windows pop out and everything soaked. He has moved to his new place as of today and I guess they are readying that one as well.   

Mom is feeling some better but her sugar is still all over the map.
She is making meatloaf and knitting and they have the hurricane shutters back up. They are going to fill the bathtubs today. The water they had in their tubs helped them to manage during the last one. I wish Nathan and I could be down there with them. Predictions for Tallahassee are just rain and they don't expect flooding.

I wish Bruce would check in.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: artbrooks
Date: 25 Sep 04 - 10:18 AM

Harpgirl, a good part of that part of Santa Rosa County is still without power, so it may be that he can't. BTW, did the wheatstraw harp survive?

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Amos
Date: 25 Sep 04 - 10:35 AM

HG:

Glad you have survived this well, this far!! IS the Ivan loop over now?


A

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Sep 04 - 10:43 AM

The Ivan loop is in Texas now, Amos. That was one travelin' hurricane!

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: GUEST,blackcatter
Date: 25 Sep 04 - 11:21 AM

Now Jeanne may be looping around the south and west of Orlando - means we'll get the worst side yet again.

Yippie

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Paul G.
Date: 25 Sep 04 - 08:02 PM

Here's the link for the NWS radar loop out of Melbourne, if you want a good look at Jeanne. CLICK!
I flew back in to Jacksonville last from Philadelphia just in time to board the place up (welcome to the Plywood State).. but it's looking more and more like we'll be spared the worst again. Our clinic in Pensacola is now an open air affair. One of our staff went to her home on Perdido Key to find three concrete steps and her mailbox post, but a thing else. Photo galleries of Ivan's visit to Pensacola can be found at the New Journal site HERE. We'll see what tomorrow brings to to Paradise...

Paul

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Blackcatter
Date: 25 Sep 04 - 09:41 PM

www.wftv.com is streaming their TV broadcast live for the duration of the hurricane. They're located in Orlando (as am I) but have crews up and down the east coast.

Jeena is coming on shore probably 20 or so within the spot Frances chose to hit at Stuart. Yet another remarkable fact in this remarkable hurricane season.

By the way - if you've heard about flooding. The St. Johns River created over a week after Frances several feet above high water mark and flooded most every place around it. As if yesterday, the level of the St. Johns had only gone down 1 inch. Jeanee is going to drop 10-15" of rain on it's headwaters. So it'll rise prbably another 3 feet over the post Frances level.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Blackcatter
Date: 25 Sep 04 - 11:08 PM

My sister's going through the eye right now it appears. She went through the eye of Frances and weathered that ok - didn't even mess up the blue Chinese tiles on her roof.

FYI - I'm signing off not and don't know when I'll be back on. It's likely that by the time I wake in the AM the power will be off. Hopefully it'll be off for only a few days, but we never know.

Good luck to the rest of the Floridians.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: katlaughing
Date: 25 Sep 04 - 11:28 PM

Thank you all for keeping us posted. Those images in Paul's links ae horrific. May you all stay safe and check in as soon as you are able.

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Blackcatter
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 12:26 AM

Jeanne came on shore in Jensen Beach. 5 miles north of Sewalls Point, the point that Frances hit with the center of its eye. That just ain't right.

Looks like Oseola County (Kissimmee area) will be the place that all three eyes will have passed through.

I've studied hurricanes as one aspect of cCentral Florida history and can tell you that nothing like this has happened since records were kept in 1851. 153 years.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: harpgirl
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 08:06 AM

My elderly parents seem to have gotten through okay. They just called. Only a little water damage in their hurricane shuttered ancestral condo. We don't yet know about my brother in his brand new apt. It was just as fierce but didn't last as long, dad said. He says the remnants are coming our way! Good luck blackcatter. Vassar Clements is in Kississimmee. Wonder how he did?

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 09:18 AM

This is going to be some shakedown for new building standards in Florida. As an aside to all of the immediate costs to everything and everyone living in the state, what practices and behaviors lead to "success" in surviving all of this heavy weather will be be a valuable by-product of this storm season.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: catspaw49
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 09:24 AM

Any of y'all want to move up here?

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Blackcatter
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 05:57 PM

I've survived #3. Eye of the storm passed about 40 miles south of me, I think.

Lost power around 2 AM and just got it back, but it might still be intermittant.

a wind gust of 48mph was registered on my wind meter within the last hour.

Top speed registered on the meter was 95mph. Sustained winds were around 75mph.

I'm surprised I got power back this quickly, but it looks like it was just a transformer that blew.

My sister is doing fine in Stuart. She's been at the epicenter of landfall for both Frances and Jeanne. This is only the second time since 1851 that 4 hurricanes hit one state in a season. (Texas, 1898).

Still pretty brutal outside. Orange Co. Sheriff has arrested an estimated 140 individuals for breaking the mandatory curfew. They're not messing around this time. No bail for those arrested until the courts start working again.

Looks like all the deaths associated in Florida have been stupid people doing stupid things. Guy in Miami picked up a livee wire. Someone in Central Florida drowned when he drove his truck down a flooded street, etc.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Bill D
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 06:18 PM

good to see you, blackcatter...and to hear the power is on so quickly. I see lots of images from Stuart and West Palm Beach area of folks who were not so lucky.

I'll be thinking of you on Tuesday, too....when the rains hit here...

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Paul G.
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 06:39 PM

We've had tropical storm force winds (40 mph) for the last six hours and expect about six more hours of it. A gust I can only estimate at around 60 mph dropped half of one of my maple trees onto the trunk of my car about an hour ago -- damage appears to be minor. Over in Clay County (south west of Jacksonville) a child was killed by a falling tree within the last hour and another injured.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: jack halyard
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 07:39 AM

My heart goes out to you all. Just watching that chain of awful weather and what you all end up with is profoundly moving.
Just to lift your spirits a bit, I've found out what's causing it.
Its terrorist's. Osama Bin Laden has cornered a mass of butterflies in the Amazon and he's got them all flapping.

I hope those big men are as quick getting the help to you all as they are in talking and politicking about it.
                     
                        Best wishe.
                         Jack Halyard.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Paul G.
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 10:57 AM

The Butterfly Effect. I suspected as much.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Amos
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 11:06 AM

I don't think the butterfly effect can be harnessed directly in that manner.


A

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Blackcatter
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 01:33 PM

Well if you listen to Bush, Bin Laden can make anything happen.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: GUEST,tossing cookies
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 07:36 PM

I have delcared hurricane season OVER! THERE WILL BE NO MORE HURRICANES, EVER EVER EVER!!!! I WILL NOT PERMIT IT!!!!!

The crowing blow is that I picked up some kind of dysentery in Pensacola and have been violently ill for a week. Cipro city for me...harpy (I may never go camping again, just for spite)Humbug!!~!!

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Blackcatter
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 10:11 PM

Ahhh,

There's the problem. In Florida, we camp between November and April. Cooler, less mosquitoes, not 'canes, nice bonfire weather.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Sep 04 - 09:32 PM

It's only just now beginning to feel like camping weather down here in Texas.

On NPR this morning the power company folks thought it might be as long as 3 weeks before they had power restored to all of their customers. Whether at home or in the campground, it's going to feel a lot like camping. Everyone, remember to exhaust those campstoves--remember to use them outdoors only.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: Blackcatter
Date: 28 Sep 04 - 11:30 PM

So far, 2 reported deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning due to people running generators in their home or garage.

Nearly everyone will have their power on before 3 weeks. That's jsut when they figure they can be totally done. That being said, I just saw the reports. 200,000+ without power in Metro Orlando.

Anyone want to vacation in Orlando this winter? We could use the $$. Our citrus industry is a wash this year and the ranchers say they have lost over 50,000 head of cattle.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: GUEST,Bee Dubya Ell's SS
Date: 12 Oct 04 - 09:47 AM

Have any of you Florida Catters heard anything of Bee Dubya Ell in the last month? I've been drawn as his Secret Santa, and have been looking at his posts to find out more about him.

But I notice that his last post here was nearly a month ago, which is not like him:

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: GUEST,Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 15 Sep 04 - 09:56 PM

I'm on an ATM in a hotel lobby in Hot Springs, Arkansas. It sucks. We are safe for now. Getting home to Pensacola will suck, I'm sure.

Are you OK out there, good buddy?

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Mudcatters - how are you?!
From: PoppaGator
Date: 12 Oct 04 - 05:31 PM

I am *not* Bee-dubya-ell's Secret Santa, but I am wondering about him, too.

He and I exchanged a couple of brief PMs just before Ivan hit, and I was a little short with him, and uncharacteristially dismissive of something he suggested. (Well, I'd like to *think* my ungraciousness was uncharacteristic, anyway.) Now I feel terrible about the whole thing and wonder when I'll have a chance to make things right!

Here's hoping that he's too busy to fool with us right now, but that his life and property have not been too terribly disrupted.

If you see this, Bruce, drop me another PM (at your convenience, of course) and we'll pick up where we left off...