Guest bean_si (Not Active) Posted August 31, 2004 Share Posted August 31, 2004 They're urging people don't leave homes as they may be caught in a gridlock because everyone is going to want to leave for this storm. Sorry to throw this OT in here but I don't know what to do. Should I leave way before the storm is going to hit and drive all the way up the coast and then maybe it will hit there. Also, I never drive the interstate. I'm one of those stay around town scaredy-waredy drivers. Not to mention I need new glasses and have trouble seeing but I really think it's not a good idea to stay this time. This storm is actually FREAKING people out. from www.palmbeachpost.com "By Monday afternoon, a new forecast line pointed right into the Treasure Coast. [where I am} All of Florida's peninsula remained in the cone, which placed Frances anywhere from Cuba to the Carolinas or still at sea by Saturday afternoon. The hurricane center could post hurricane watches or even warnings for Florida on Thursday, Mayfield said. "We may have to go through the drill without knowing where it's going to hit," Mayfield said. "At this stage, it certainly looks like Florida will be impacted." The key to Frances' movement is a high-pressure ridge to the north that has been keeping the storm on a westward track. It would have had to move off to let Frances slide to the northwest or north. "The bad news for the Bahamas and Florida peninsula is that there is no significant mid-latitude trough in the current model forecasts through five days that could substantially weaken this ridge," hurricane center specialist Richard Pasch wrote in an afternoon discussion. The storm, at times as powerful as Charley, was moving at 14 mph, with some 1,300 miles of energizing warm ocean water still ahead of it. It shifted between Categories 3 and 4 on the Saffir-Simpson scale Monday, and more fluctuations were expected today. But the storm was forecast to restrengthen, perhaps back to a Category 4, with 145 mph winds by Thursday or Friday." Adding Later: http://www.weather.com/maps/news/atlsto ... large.html http://www.wunderground.com/tropical/tr ... _5day.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna G Posted August 31, 2004 Share Posted August 31, 2004 How close to the coast are you? How many feet above sea level? How strong is the structure that you live in? Do you like camping and roughing it? When we went through Hurricane Frederick, on the Gulf Coast we were in a house on a water in a marshy bay but 17 feet above sea level. No major damage thank goodness but even still, no water to drink or flush or wash for about 2 weeks. No air conditioning, no lights, no TV no electricity for about 2 weeks. Plenty of barbequeing, eating food as it defrosted, lots of yard work, washing off in the Gulf water carefully watching for snapping turtles. We were at friends house in Mobile during the storm, fearing being so close to the Gulf. Praying for your safety. Donna G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowflake Posted August 31, 2004 Share Posted August 31, 2004 Cat, Get in your car and go see Elaine. I doubt the hurricane will hit Kansas...it MAY, however, follow you up the coast, as you pointed out... ELAINE! Hey! Get out your macrobiotic cook book and whip up some brownies, company's coming... Of course, if you'd like, you can keep driving north and come see me. I'm homeless, but I'm sure we could scare up and extra refrigerator box for a guest room... If you think you should leave, go with that feeling. Pack up your puppy and hit the road! Pack some snacks to save $$ on the trek... Take care, Becky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haylee_38 Posted August 31, 2004 Share Posted August 31, 2004 Cat, You have been through enough already. I am so sorry you have to do this again. If you want to come here to Ohio with me until its over you are more than welcome. My thoughts are with you, Haylee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tnmynatt Posted August 31, 2004 Share Posted August 31, 2004 Cat, I think you should give it a couple more days. It could go to SC again based on the wide projection that I saw this morning. I will be praying for it to weaken and turn north and away from the US. Take care. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ann Posted August 31, 2004 Share Posted August 31, 2004 Cat, I am by no means an authority on these storms but from where you have told me you are located, I can't imagine they are suggesting any type of evacuation at this point. The National Weather Service is saying, as of the 5:00 am update, that Frances will come ashore somewhere between Vero Beach and just south of Melbourne. Guess what??? That is exactly where I live...Palm Bay!!!! I'm about three miles in from the coast. I was really worried about you during Charley. so perhaps it would be best for you to find safe shelter before the roads are jammed, shelters full, and no hotel rooms to be found. They are planning to have only one direction (westbound) of I-4 and 528 open if an evacuation is required. There is still a chance (small one) that Frances will turn away from us. Let's just pray!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bean_si (Not Active) Posted August 31, 2004 Share Posted August 31, 2004 I'm becoming more and more of a coward. I don't what's gotten into me. I have an emergency appt. this afternoon to see a pulmonologist about another bronchoscopy. The last one my blood pressure dropped to 60/40 so they could give me nothing, just kept pouring stuff down my throat and they had paralyzed so I couldn't swallow. I felt I was drowning. They had to hold me down. Other people, if you have a bronchoscopy schedule - this NEVER happens - it was a 1 in a million chance and naturally it happened to me. My new onc says (like the last one, they can't tell from PET/CT if the mass left is cancerous (so why'd they do it) or from the small biopsy they did (so why'd they do it) so I have to get a bronchoscopy to see if it's cancer and why I'm coughing now and stuff. Couldn't they at least let me bring in a big fluffy teddy bear to hug while it's going on? Yeah, I know - sterilization but I sure would like one. My brother is supposed to fly in Saturday. I don't think so. They're scaring the beejeezuz of us here with the most dire predictions. It's a hurricane 4 now (or near) and there's no land masses in the way to calm it down and they keep saying all of SE Florida was in trouble and locally that we were in the most trouble. Cat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bean_si (Not Active) Posted August 31, 2004 Share Posted August 31, 2004 Vero Beach is just above me. I didn't hear that one. I'll have to tune in NWS. Where can we go? Geez. I don't think I can drive alone all the way to Georgia and I think South Central Georgia appears the only safe place. Geez. But I can visualize the roads gridlocked. This has been the worst season that I can remember and it's only early in the season. Adding Later: http://www.weather.com/maps/news/atlsto ... large.html http://www.wunderground.com/tropical/tr ... _5day.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MayFrog Posted August 31, 2004 Share Posted August 31, 2004 Cat and all my Floridian friends.....geezus!! Hope you all stay well and safe, this season is looking really bad. People are taking Frances very seriously....my son's at Camp LeJeune in NC, and when I talked with him last night, they were already preparing for her...... My thoughts go out to you..... mary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ann Posted August 31, 2004 Share Posted August 31, 2004 Cat, exactly where are you? I'm going to try and stay calm until tommorrow afternoon and then see what path they are predicting. You know, these storms get out there and develop a mind of their own. I think Charley was a prime example of how these guys just don't know what or where. They had everybody out of the Tampa Bay area and then Tampa didn't get hit at all. What are we supposed to do? I'm in Brevard County and the news has been showing actual fights breaking out at Home Depots here over plywood! They are limiting people to 15 sheets per customer. Cat, let's keep in close touch during this thing! If you like, please email me your phone number so I can keep tabs on you. My email is king3419@bellsouth.net Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ann Posted August 31, 2004 Share Posted August 31, 2004 Cat, if you have seen the latest update, it has landfall hitting around Jacksonville. Of course, they are still saying that it could fall much further south but the last flyover has indicated a slight turn to the north. Like I said earlier, I think it's just too early for them to predict what is going to happen with this thing. By the way, is this storm masculine or femine? I have seen the name Frances for a man and Francis for a woman??? Which gender is our Frances? If it's a woman, we know it has the option of changing its mind!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remembering Dave Posted August 31, 2004 Share Posted August 31, 2004 OK, this is sort of lame advice, but instead of driving up the coast, due north, can you somehow drive northwest, away from the coast? sorry, can't think of anything else. I'd invite you to come to our house but you never know. Tropical Storm Gaston made a direct hit on Richmond yesterday and we got 12 inches of rain in one day. part of the city is literally condemned. I was in the hospital all day with my mom's surgery, stuck in the basement where the surgical area is so I missed all the excitment until I had to drive home. that was fun, navitating through broken traffic lights and flooded roads. but I got there . . . Take care, Cat. Good luck. Karen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bean_si (Not Active) Posted August 31, 2004 Share Posted August 31, 2004 Frances is a woman. eeyiyee! You're just about 100 miles North of me. If it heads more to your area, you're welcome to come here - although I don't have plywood shutters or a generator. My main window/patio does have a hurricane shutter but my roof is cathedral and I often think it's more likely to take off (although it's new as of last year). I'm on second floor of condo - lake abut 15 - 20 feet from the building. I was at Publix around 7:45 a.m. and people were loading up with water and talking as though were all having a nervous breakdown. This never used to happen! I called the local hospital to cancel my x-ray and they said they might shut down on Friday. Ya know - the weather people never really know - that's what's scary. When I get back from doc, I'll e-mail my phone number. Cat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ann Posted August 31, 2004 Share Posted August 31, 2004 Karen, that was great advice for Cat. The problem here is that our roads get so very backed up that traffic is literally bumper to bumper with people trying to evacuate. There have been occasions when people were sitting in traffic in the middle of the hurricane. Emergency management officials just had a news conference and said..."If we tell you to go, please do so immediately. If we don't tell you to go, please stay put." I think that's the best advice right now. Karen, I know you guys have been having way too much rain up your way. My area, is usually fairly dry and we most always worry about the risk of fires. This month alone we have already had over 10 inches of rain!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bean_si (Not Active) Posted August 31, 2004 Share Posted August 31, 2004 Oh Karen - you're in Virginia - oh no! I heard the unbelievable news and saw pictures of the downtown area. As for driving Northwest, that was my intent. But, as I think I mentioned before - Andrew was initially supposed to go up the East Coast. My daughter and I drove to Arcadia - West coast. Andrew went across the state from East to West. It's almost as though there's no escape in Florida. Cat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
betplace Posted August 31, 2004 Share Posted August 31, 2004 I am so sorry you are scared Cat. It is so hard to deal with these things. Call the county, explain to them you are alone, and sick and tell them you need help making emergency arrangements. Go to the store, buy your water a flashlight some canned tuna, or chicken etc and a manual canopener. collect that up with some blankets your pillow and that teddy bear. If Frances comes the emergency management people will get you out and to safety. That is how I am dealing with this one. Lord keep us all safe. Blessings Betty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
betplace Posted August 31, 2004 Share Posted August 31, 2004 sorry it double posted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remembering Dave Posted August 31, 2004 Share Posted August 31, 2004 Ann, when I said drive northwest, I meant completely out of the state of Florida - like to Arkansas or something! I know that's pretty unreasonable, that long a road trip for someone suffering from cancer. just a thought. maybe find a road trip buddy. I really am worried about you Florida folks. It seems that the tropical storm/hurricane season has been partcularly bad this year and the last couple of years. please keep us posted. Karen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fall54 Posted August 31, 2004 Share Posted August 31, 2004 Cat and all you other Floridians, I am praying for your safety and that you can still get the medical attention you may need. Cat, It's to bad you cant jump on a plane and come to New Hampshire!!! It has been a terrible season so far and your right it hasent even started as far as the norm. Please take the precautions you need to and be safe!! You are all in my prayers. God Bless You all, Jane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paddy Posted September 1, 2004 Share Posted September 1, 2004 Will be praying for you all up there and especially for you Cat. Paddy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bean_si (Not Active) Posted September 1, 2004 Share Posted September 1, 2004 Please, please, please, I know this isn't cancer and may seem small to some but I would really appreciate prayers. It's 3 a.m. and they are already talking about issuing an evacuation order for our county and closing schools TODAY. They say even if only the people in mobile homes and coastal areas evacuate, the roads will be grid locked. This is a real mess. I made an airline reservation to fly to Georgia Thursday at 11:30. I can't get it earlier because I had to make special reservations for dog to travel in cabin with me. They only allow 2 dogs on every flight and earlier ones were booked. It cost an arm and a leg. Geez, I need to listen to weather channel but the ijeets are talking horror stats about Frances - absolute horror. Because I had decided to fly out, I didn't invest in generator (like I could afford one) and since I'm on second floor in a condo, no plywood on windows. This is insane. People are going to die. Please God, I have so much on my plate. Couldn't you move a little bit? They won't take me in emergency places because of dog. I can't leave dog. No one may understand but she is ALL I have. ALL I have. I can't face death (from cancer) without her. I know it's impossible to understand. She loves me. She's the only living creature who does other than my daughter (now and again). Cat Added later: Ann and I are in the same amount of trouble - she's 100 miles North of me. Pecola is around Orlando. Betty is around Tampa. There must be dozens of other silent members on our board in Florida. Praying for us all and N. Carolina and everyone. First time I saw this! I checked on my flight status and found this: NOTE: We recommend you present yourself at the gate prior to the flight's scheduled departure time, as flight times may change with limited notice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cathy Posted September 1, 2004 Share Posted September 1, 2004 Will keep you in my prayers Cat, be safe... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tnmynatt Posted September 1, 2004 Share Posted September 1, 2004 Cat: Continuing to pray for you and all Floridians. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna G Posted September 1, 2004 Share Posted September 1, 2004 Praying for a safe flight to Georgia. I really know what you mean about the pouch. I never could leave my Sally or Rocky behind. Donna G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haylee_38 Posted September 1, 2004 Share Posted September 1, 2004 Cat, keeping you in my prayers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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