Hurricane Irma- Now a tropical depression

[lorimay]

Just back from shopping. No water in the Publix, Target and Walmart in this area. They are low on bread and out of D size batteries. Long lines at the gas stations.

I waited almost 30 minutes to top off my tank, they were all out of everything but 93%

 

[HarperLeigh]

For those who are new to all this, I have a couple of suggestions:

• Stay away from the Weather Channel and other cable news. They don't know anything except that more hype sells more commercials.
• Get your information from The National Hurricane Center, here: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/
• Another good source of info is Weather Underground's Tropical Weather page, here: https://www.wunderground.com/hurricane
• If you live in Florida, especially South Florida, local news weather forecasters often understand things far better than national news sources, plus they have local contacts who fill in the gaps.

For the purpose of discussion on this board, it would be helpful to know where people are. We don't know where this storm is going yet, but certainly people in the Keys and the lower East Coast should be doing at least preliminary preparations. We will probably be getting tropical storm force winds by Friday, and that will stop a LOT of community services.

People in the Florida Keys should evacuate as soon as authorities advise you to. DO NOT wait. You know what US 1 is like on Sunday afternoon -- multiply that by about 50, and you'll see the problem. If you need to get out, get out way early.

People in the Keys and Miami should be evacuating, according to local government.

 

[lorimay]

Schools in Broward and Miami Dade closed Thursday and Friday
Monroe (Keys) closing from tomorrow.

 

[Domo]

Just back from shopping. No water in the Publix, Target and Walmart in this area. They are low on bread and out of D size batteries. Long lines at the gas stations.

@Feralpeg, please be safe! Our weather is so so-so... we've had one hurricane in living memory, and that wasn't even a hurricane!

 

[Cogswel_Cogs]

Watching this closely. We are in NJ and we have had our share - Sandy, Irene..... Could very well head this way.

Where did Irene hit land?. I think Irene was everybodys. I raced it home from Disney. Actually from Lake Okeechobee as my wife made us go down to see her friend. We had wonderful time but storm was with us the whole way. We were like 2 hours in front of outer bands, everyonce in a while they would catch up. Terrifying.

 

[tink1957]

If anyone is looking for water try your local Lowe's, they have cases and 5 gallon jugs.

 

[Shmily1]

I waited almost 30 minutes to top off my tank, they were all out of everything but 93%

That's how it was here this morning and I'm in south GA. I didn't need any in the car i usually drive but drove the other one to work today and had to run to town. LOL. That's my luck.

 

[hereyago]

Where did Irene hit land?. I think Irene was everybodys. I raced it home from Disney. Actually from Lake Okeechobee as my wife made us go down to see her friend. We had wonderful time but storm was with us the whole way. We were like 2 hours in front of outer bands, everyonce in a while they would catch up. Terrifying.

Ugh Irene and earthquake in same week.

 

[Oreo Cookie]

I live in SWF, schools in Collier, Lee and Miami-Dade are closed Thursday and Friday. In Collier the Sheriff's office and OEM are urging us to evacuate if we can now.

 

[hereyago]

Irma is now the strongest recorded Atlantic Hurricane, everyone stay safe who may be in its path.

@Oreocookie:are you able and plan to get the heck out of dodge? Stay safe

 

[Bilberry]

i decided to leave the sw Florida area this morning. Hopefully the hurricane will miss With it being a cat 4 and now 5 though I decided to drive north and visit family in the Midwest. Hate to see the name Irma used as a hurricane! It's taken a bit to get used to hearing as a grandmother was named Irma.

 

[NotUrsula]

FWIW, you really don't have to buy water; you can just stockpile tapwater unless you think it's normally undrinkable. Round up every clean container you have and fill 'em up. Even freezer Ziplocs will work as long as you have a container to put them in zipper-side up.

Also, don't forget to fill all of your bathtubs if the hurricane actually hits you; you'll need the water for bucket-flushing when the public water supply gets shut down. You can also put out buckets for rainwater to top up the tubs if the power goes out while it's still raining.

 

[HarperLeigh]

FWIW, you really don't have to buy water; you can just stockpile tapwater unless you think it's normally undrinkable. Round up every clean container you have and fill 'em up. Even freezer Ziplocs will work as long as you have a container to put them in zipper-side up.

Also, don't forget to fill all of your bathtubs if the hurricane actually hits you; you'll need the water for bucket-flushing when the public water supply gets shut down. You can also put out buckets for rainwater to top up the tubs if the power goes out while it's still raining.

But don't put them out until after the worst of the winds have passed, otherwise they just become another flying projectile!

 

[ols386]

I live in SWF, schools in Collier, Lee and Miami-Dade are closed Thursday and Friday. In Collier the Sheriff's office and OEM are urging us to evacuate if we can now.

I hope you're evacuating. Where do you go for evacuation? Out of Florida?

 

[kirstenb1]

DH just bought 30 gallons of gas for the generator. We're in Va, and lost power for days during Isabel. Prayers for all in the direct path!!

 

[hereyago]

All tolls in Florida have been suspended.

For Key West Evac: I am honestly unfamiliar with that area, but are they able to do contraflow to get everyone out?

 

[monorailsilver]

I hope everyone stays safe. I life in South West Florida (Naples) and we are in the cone of concern. Prepping the best I can, and planning to evacuate if/when we know more about the projected path. Already made hotel reservations and have supplies for my pets and family. Everyone please be careful, we saw the devastation from Harvey.

Publix had water this morning in my area, and I heard the workers talking that more was on they way.

My sister is in Ft.Myers, about 10-15 min, you know 2 miles with lights, from the beach. The end of their road/the road their subdivision is on ends at Estero Bay Preserve. She sent me pictures last week of the pond in her back yard and the water was up and past the cypress trees, normally it's about 4 feet below that. And the water was high in the small canals (not sure what they are are called). They were putting on their storm shutters today and packing what they want to keep and heading to friends in Georgia Thursday or Friday. I love your area (love BArefoot beach, and the drive in), stay safe, see you in April!

i decided to leave the sw Florida area this morning. Hopefully the hurricane will miss With it being a cat 4 and now 5 though I decided to drive north and visit family in the Midwest. Hate to see the name Irma used as a hurricane! It's taken a bit to get used to hearing as a grandmother was named Irma.

Stay safe!

 

[maxaroni]

Watching this closely. We are in NJ and we have had our share - Sandy, Irene..... Could very well head this way.

Hey neighbor! DIdn't know you were in NJ. We survived Sandy okay being inland. Irene was not good for us as we had had that earthquake that must have shifted foundation a tiny bit. Little cracks in the foundation was not kind when Irene came and we had water in our basement. On top of that, our dog was dying and our DS was heading to college.

At any rate, I know what NJ has had and can't imagine any worse. My DS24 and his GF are supposed to be leaving for WDW on saturday. We are watching this track for them. I can't even fathom living or being in this path of the strength of Irma. I can't wrap my head around the people in Texas and Louisiana.

 

[CarolAnn856]

Hey neighbor! DIdn't know you were in NJ. We survived Sandy okay being inland. Irene was not good for us as we had had that earthquake that must have shifted foundation a tiny bit. Little cracks in the foundation was not kind when Irene came and we had water in our basement. On top of that, our dog was dying and our DS was heading to college.

At any rate, I know what NJ has had and can't imagine any worse. My DS24 and his GF are supposed to be leaving for WDW on saturday. We are watching this track for them. I can't even fathom living or being in this path of the strength of Irma. I can't wrap my head around the people in Texas and Louisiana.

Another NJer here, but inland, not far from Philly. Sandy closed schools in our area for several days.

Is your son driving or flying?

 

[maxaroni]

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