Frances downgrade

[Vacationeer]

May become a category 2 at 11:00

 

[patsal]

Here's hoping that it is! Florida could use a break.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

You know, while that would be great, it would just enforce the mentality some people have that "the weather service never gets it right," and next time they are told to evacuate they will not take it seriously. Even if this one is not "the big one", eventually one will be!
Robin M.

 

[DNBois]

Where did you get that information - I want to check it out - thanks.

 

[kylara]

Robin, I can understand that concern, but after Charley, people are ready to take it serious...well at least where I am. Of course, we also have a lot of people who relocated to Broward after Andrew so they tend to take hurricanes seriously anyway.

Frances has been downgraded but they are not sure it will stay that way. After the islands, there is many miles of nice warm water that the hurricanes love and since it is going so slow, it could work its way back up to a cat 4.

They have moved Most of Miami Dade County out of the cone, but the area is still getting feeder bands. Already a number of communities in Miami Dade and Broward are without power due to the squalls from feederbands. So far I am lucky and they haven't come as far inland as I am.

Stay safe everyone...no matter how much it is downgraded, it is still a big storms and they are still expecting much damage and lots of flooding due to the slow speed of the storm.

 

[autochick]

this is what I just read on the weather channel website:

Frances is still a dangerous hurricane but has (at least for the time being) weakened from the 145-mph Category 4 storm that it was on Thursday to a 115-mph Category 3 storm. There still is the possibility that the hurricane could strengthen again but the intensity forecast remains somewhat uncertain. Wind gusts of 115 mph have been reported in the Abacos in the northern Bahamas. Eleuthera in the Bahamas had sustained winds of 100 mph earlier as the island took a direct hit. San Salvador reported a sustained wind of 120 mph on Thursday as Frances moved across. The hurricane will continue to move slowly through the northwestern Bahamas toward the east coast of Florida.


I hope everyone stays safe, we are all praying, and hoping for the best.

 

[Towncrier]

The storm is fast approaching Castaway Cay (within 60 miles right now) and is still officially a Category 3. The winds and forward progress of the storm are slowing down, but the east coast of Florida is going to get pounded. I think that the people who evacuated the coastal areas are the wise ones.

 

[legs22]

I am happy the winds are down! But I saw Charley very, very quickly increase in wind speed as it approached land so I am still wary.

 

[JessetheCowgirl]

Praying for our FL friends and family

 

[Figment22]

With the 2:00 p.m. update, the winds have remained at 115 MPH but the Weather Channel did say that the pressure is still rising which is a good sign for weakening. At this time, they are expecting it to make landfall as a Cat 3, but I'm praying it weakens even further.

 

[Towncrier]

It's now 33 miles from Castaway Cay.

 

[OhMari]

It is so hot up in Wisconsin, they said we are receiving Florida's heat that got pushed up here, I can't imagine how you guys feel with the intense heat and knowing a hurrican could hit.

The power of prayer-everyone should keep praying.

 

[DukeStreetKing]

Originally posted by OhMari
It is so hot up in Wisconsin, they said we are receiving Florida's heat that got pushed up here, I can't imagine how you guys feel with the intense heat and knowing a hurrican could hit.

The power of prayer-everyone should keep praying.

The heat isn't that bad, really. You get used to it after a while and you always seem to be in air conditioning. Hurricanes, on the other hand, you never get used to.

9:00 this morning in Tampa there wasn't a cloud in the sky, by 11:00 there was nothing but clouds. For being such a slow moving storm, Frances sure is bringing a lot of changes.

 

[cats7494]

Prayers for families in Florida!

Having recently lost a home to a fire - and at another time, my work to a flood - I completely understand the fear and deep sadness of losing everything. It is truly awful!

I am praying for safety of the people and for no or minimal damage...

 

[skiwee1]

Originally posted by OhMari
It is so hot up in Wisconsin, they said we are receiving Florida's heat that got pushed up here, I can't imagine how you guys feel with the intense heat and knowing a hurrican could hit.

The power of prayer-everyone should keep praying.

We are in Maryland and are having wonderfully cooler weather. Only 75 and breezy here. I can't imagine that hot air you are recieving from Florida has bypassed my state. Must be my lucky day!

 

[Disney Doll]

They say they can strengthen back up when they go over open water, so Florida's probably not quite out of the wooods yet.

Here's hoping it continues to weaken though....that would be great for all!