I got a call early this morning from my mom asking us to come stay over there. That's pretty funny as none of them wanted to come over here to Broward for Hurricane Charlie, and they just got their electric back on not too long ago. We won't go anywhere, though. I'll be hard pressed just to get Mr. Cracker to put up the hurricane shutters.
I was cutting bushes out in the backyard a few minutes ago, when a neighbor strolling along the lake walked by and said "In 24 hours this is all going to be blown away." Such doom and gloom. People are freaking because Charley hit hard, and this one is even bigger and stronger. It'll probably go north, though, and I'll end up with a lot of rain and a five-day weekend.
UPDATE:
Eye of the Storm, a blog written by a student at my old alma mater FSU (Go, 'Noles!), is keeping folks up to date on the doings of the hurricane.
Right now it's tracking to hit just north of Palm Beach.
UPDATE II:
Mom called again. She says the hurricane's "the size of Texas." She also reminded me that seven of my Uncle Rupert's family drowned from the storm surge in the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane in the Keys. That was a Cat 5 storm and it ran slap into the Keys. I'm way inland, so no storm surge for me. Just a phone call surge.
Reader Doyle sends a great link to the Atlantic Tropical Weather Center.
UPDATE III:
A hurricane on your desktop:
Cindy, eternal sender of cool links, sends us a link to 24/7 TV coverage of Hurricane Frances. Click on the red "Tracking the Storm" picture.
They're having to fly in gas truck drivers to help distribute gasoline to the gas stations.
UPDATE IV:
Broward County Administrator Roger D. has called Hurricane Frances at home and threatened to make her life very difficult.
UPDATE V:
We got the shutters up after all and cleared off the patio. I'm as snug as a bug in a rug.
I hope you are right...
Posted by: Kathy K at September 2, 2004 10:27 AMMr. Cracker lost the wingnuts that go with the shutters. It doesn't matter, really. If it takes the roof, shutters won't help.
I could beat Mr. Cracker cross-eyed, but that wouldn't help either.
Live coverage of Hurrricane Frances on Local10.com
click on the red "Tracking the Storm" picture. (Center frame)(need real player)
http://www.local10.com/index.html
Posted by: Cindy at September 2, 2004 02:49 PMHey, think of it this way...it's wonderful they care!
Besides...you didn't mention hearing from your brother... lol
Not surprisingly, my mama loves me more than the others do.
Posted by: Donnah at September 2, 2004 04:37 PMI feel for ya! If that thing skips across Florida and heads up there, I'll feel for me too.
Posted by: robin at September 2, 2004 04:40 PMIsn't it coming to Alabama, albeit in a more weakened condition?
Posted by: Donnah at September 2, 2004 04:43 PMThat's cool that you're a fellow Nole alum. I've often wondered with all the gator postings.
Stay safe...that storm is looking mean. No danger up here Tally but we'll probably get plenty of rain I'm sure(like we need any more), although it looks like it's projected to head out of the state well south of us.
Posted by: Dave at September 2, 2004 05:50 PMDave- I'm a UF alum too. The gator theme though is just from being from SW Florida. And from my morbid fascination with them. ;)
I'm glad it's not coming near you. Hope it stays away from me too.
Heh. Both a gator and a 'nole. Don't you find yourself cheering for both sides sometimes?
Just a 'nole here. Though I admit I've petted real gators on the head (babies, not adults). They're kinda cute when they are only a foot or so long. Rather less so when the tail is on one side of the road and the head on the other and you aren't sure you are gonna be able to brake in time....
Stay safe. I'll try to do the same.
Head down, and make sure you've got plenty of beer and ice- they power might go. (And weapons).
Posted by: Paul at September 2, 2004 08:44 PMPaul-Weapons we got aplenty and Mr. Cracker got his beer.
Kathy-I used to own an alligator. Bastard bit the crap out of me.
I root for the 'Noles over the Gators. I was at FSU way longer.
As of 5am, it's down to a Category 3. Not that I trust that. Charley went from Category 2 to Category 4 in the space of a couple of hours...
Posted by: Kathy K at September 3, 2004 05:58 AM