Well shit.
I have one cousin and her family that live in Sarasota. Many of my close friends live in Sarasota and Bradenton. My cousin that is more like a sister lives in St. Pete. I have several friends in Tampa.
Hurrican Charley is now slowing and gaining strength. They have upgraded him to a level 2 and I've heard that by the time he hits Florida he could well be a level 3.
My cousin in St. Pete has lived here in Florida, along the coast, since she was 13. She doesn't get spooked easily. She just called. They are starting to evacuate St. Pete. It's highly possible/probable that her section will be ordered to evacuate at 5:00am tomorrow. She, her SO, her son, his GF and their baby, her daughter and her boyfriend are coming here.
I got the room. It'll be tight, but hell, we've all hung out at her house for entire weekends and that house isn't as big as this one is. That's not my concern.
They are saying that this area will be on the eastern side of the storm. The news is talking serious flooding and intensely high winds for this area. I've already mentioned the Big Ts.
The thing is, there really isn't any where in Florida to go that won't be effected. I saw earlier the damage the Big Ts did in Jacksonville today. I have several friends there that I can't get ahold of. That kinda worries me.
So, I'm heading to Walmart to get storm supplies for 7 additional people. I decided to move my grill into the garage so that if there is a power outage we can at least cook. I've got coolers (I'm a boater, of course I have coolers) so that will help. Damn, I've got a lot of work to do.
UPDATED 8/13 8:04am: I spent the larger part of the night on the phone with my cousin in St. Pete. She wanted to wait until we knew if they would be evac-ing her particular sector before they took off. With the baby and all, it just seemed to make sense. Now, all bridges are at a complete standstill and it looks like ole Charely is going to be upgraded again to a Cat.3. So, they are hunkered down and riding it out where they are. Say a prayer.
I've called some of my friends in Bradenton. Blogless friend LeeAnn and her husband are in the white zone and pretty secure. I can't get a hold of my other friends - hopefully they are still sleeping. There aren't any major bridges between Sarasota/Bradenton and here so I've put the call out to get loaded up and head this way.
They aren't sure exactly where he will land, this storm of ours. Tampa isn't looking good, and where I just moved from is one of the areas that is being evacuated. I'm glad I'm not there.
I got a very touching email from my blogsister Boudicca this morning with more hints and lists of things to make sure I've got taken care of. That really meant a lot. Thanks Bou.
Laughing Wolf called and told me to get myself to the store now! He's right, I've got to finish this shopping and get everything else into a secure area. Thanks Wolf!!
I'm inland so I won't have to worry about the storm surge at all. Not like everyone else I love. But....we got the winds, we got the Big Ts. So, I'm just going to do what I need to, and hope that it was all over kill.
So - I'm moving this to the top of the page and will update as I can.
Posted by Tammi at August 13, 2004 08:20 AM