Floridians in Wilma's Path - Check In!

[Virgo10]

She's a coming so check in here so we can keep tabs on everyone. Add your location if you're comfortable with doing so.

I feel we'll lose power sometime during this event. According to Matt's maps, we are on the edge of the possible hurricane force winds. Heck, we lose power around here sometimes for no reason at all! At least with this cold front coming through, suffocating heat and humidity won't be a big factor.

I'm in Auburndale about 10 miles east of Lakeland and 45 miles east of Tampa and the Gulf of Mexico.

Good luck everyone and check in often and for as long as you can.

 

[lvs_eeyore]

Im in Fort Lauderdale. We are expected as is Miami to get the worst of this thing. We are on the dirty side of this storm. Hurricane warnings went up apparently at 11 last night. Im watching the news this morning and they said it should be nice this morning but start to go downhill this afternoon. We dont have our shutters in the front up yet because dh had to work yesterday so I am hoping it stays nice until after we get out of church. We help with kids church so we cant not go.

 

[marlasmom]

As you know, I'm less than 10 miles from you. Our county (which is also yours) has declared a state of emergency and my grandson's school is cancelled for Monday. It seems so bad to wish it on others, but I am so hoping it does not hit here.

 

[Virgo10]

As you know, I'm less than 10 miles from you. Our county (which is also yours) has declared a state of emergency and my grandson's school is cancelled for Monday. It seems so bad to wish it on others, but I am so hoping it does not hit here.

Does anyone in your area have shutters or plywood up? I'm trying to take my clues from the neighbors and, so far, no one around here is doing anything like that. Some of the people near to us still have stuff out in their yard that will blow away when the winds get bad! I took everything in last night.

I don't want to overreact but I'm at a loss to understand when one needs to put coverings over the windows.

Don't feel bad about wishing this storm would go elsewhere. I'm right there with ya!

 

[AdventurerKat]

South Sarasota here. As of yet, they have not cancelled classes in our schools on Monday, BUT have designated four schools as shelters. I figure its just a matter of time before the announcement comes that that they will cancel classes unless she takes a steep job southward.

Pretty much just watching and waiting.

 

[floridafam]

We're in Sebastian/Vero Beach.

The Weather Channel says the storm may exit Florida somewhere between Stuart and Vero Beach.

No school on Monday.

We're expecting rain and winds but I'm hoping we will be okay. I believe the counties on the South side of the storm will get hit the worst, correct?

Only one of our neighbors has shutters up.

Stay safe, everyone.

 

[mamalle]

Lake Worth here. Im headed back to the ER to work, still not sure if we are going to activate our hurricane team so Im hoping to be able to come home tonight. shutters are up and we are ready. be safe all

 

[ducklite]

Clermont.

The latest models show it making landfall in South Florida--very different from when I went to bed last night and most models showed it coming in as far north as Tampa and all crossing the state north of Okachobee.

We're in pretty good shape here, lots of supplies. I was going to cover the windows today, now I'm rethinking that and will make a decision mid afternoon. I might jsut cover the three large windows in the front of the house today, as they will take me the longest. Once I get those done, the rest will take me maybe 1/2 hour, and most are on the lanai so I would be somewhat protected from the wind and rain.

Marla's Mom-- I hope you still have my number, PM me if you need it, and let me know if you need anything.

In fact I have tons of supplies, blue tarps and a chainsaw and the list goes on, anyone who needs help, please get in touch.

Anne

 

[psammie1025]

So far, we plan on staying home. I have a friend who's a little higher & more inland, so depending when where this is going, we may go there.
We did fine when Charley hit last year.

I just wish that this would come & be gone already, the waiting is really dragging on us!

Keep safe everyone!

 

[lewdyan1]

Miami here...We are shuttered and seem to have all of our supplies.
to all my fellow Floridians, stay safe and dry!

 

[Brianne]

Near Riverview here. outside of Tampa---we're staying put. We're not in an evac zone (out of A-E, we'd be F or G. ).

The sky is dark this morning though. Whew. I don't remember it being this dark last year, but amnesia does set in.

And as of this morning, school is *still* set for tomorrow. I wish I knew WTH these school officials are thinking?! Depending on what happens (they finally cancel/hurricane status/etc) I might keep my kids home tomorrow. We'll have to see.

 

[Buzzlvr31]

I'm in Delray Beach, which is in S. Palm Beach County. Expecting to get Tropical Storm force winds late tonight, and Hurricane force winds at some point tomorow morning after 9am.

I've had enough of these hurricanes!!!!!

I do expect to lose power either late tonight or early tomorrow morning.

Wish me luck here, ok? Considering the fact that I'm going to experiencing the worst of Wilma's winds, I'm REALLY going to need it!!!!!

The only nice thing is that by tomorrow afternoon, she's going to be offshore, because she's precicted to move at a fast clip through the state.

Again, wish me luck!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Spinning]

My mom is in North Port I haven't spoken to her yet this AM. They were talking about leaving but then they thought they would stay...

 

[Poohbear123]

Miami Dade County here, North. I have to get more Water cause DH is in Panic mode now, and my DS's back window of his car was shot out sometime in the past 2 days.(just saw it today.) So, what a great day this is starting off to be.

 

[Topper]

 

[floridafam]

Well.

Now, all of our neighbors are putting up plywood and shutters and here we sit.

 

[anewvance]

We are in Palm Beach County, expecting the worst of the storm on the East side... we are putting some shutters up, heading to my grandmothers house later this afternoon and spending the night. I've gotta get gas again and some staples like milk and juice, this thing took so long to get to us that we used it! I have no doubt we'll lose power, probably tomorrow morning or so.

I'm SOOO glad this thing is hitting during the day this time. Both times it hit last year, we were in the dark in the middle of the night which made it scarier! My grandma has a large porch so we don't board up the porch door so we can see out which will make it much better.

Will check in as long as I can throughout the evening and maybe even in the morning

 

[torismom]

I am in Clermont, also. I really have no idea what to expect for us. I just cannot imagine driving the kids to school in the am with the wind speed and gust's that they are predicting.

Praying for everyone's saftey!!

 

[marlasmom]

We are not protecting our windows and I don't think anyone else is either. Actually we don't have anything to protect them with. We only have one large window in the front of the house and it is somewhat recessed. We do have windows along both sides, but the big ones in the back are protected by the lanai-I hope.

Anne - as always your offer is very generous. I am looking forward to getting together with you here in about 4 weeks.

Roy just came in and said he was putting the car away and was not taking it out of the garage again. It is full of gas and Marla has a great deal of gas with an additive to keep it fresh in her garage.

I am supposed to volunteer at the library tomorrow. If it hadn't been for that I would have gone to Cleveland to see my new grandbaby. Now that the schools are closed I am wondering if they will close the library. I would have liked to go, and we thought about just me and my daughter going, but that would mean leaving Roy and my grandson here. Sarah said bring everybody, but the thought of driving with me, Roy, Marla and Matt, two dogs and a cat is just too much to even contemplate.

 

[twocat]

Tampa area here. Oldsmar in North Pinellas county.
This will be my first real hurricane since moving here in April. The first one that skirted this area (Ophelia maybe?) was somewhat frightening but I think this one is going to be a bit worse.
And I now know the meaning of hurricane anxiety. The waiting is the worst part, and not knowing if the storm is going to stay on the projected path or make a turn much like Charley did last year.

Stay safe, everyone.