Tornado in Lake County, FL

[GeorgeG]

For those intersted in The Villages:

The Spanish Springs area is okay. The power has been out there and is affecting the phones and even cell phones.

The areas of The Villages that are affected with damage are Poinciana, Sabal Chase, Mallory Square, and Caroline with as many as 500 homes destroyed or damaged. Keep in mind that if you have family or friends in those areas and you can't reach them, they may still be okay. The power outages and heavy volume of calls are creating problems with both local and cell phones. Also, many homes in those areas are undamaged. Tornados can wreck one side of the street and not touch the other. However, even those with undamaged homes in those areas are being evacuated to shelters.

We're only blocks away from the damaged areas, but they are not letting anyone past the perimeter. I'll post updates when I can.

 

[Kristi1357]

Thanks for updating us, George!

I remembered there was a DISer from The Villages here and I was hoping your'd se this thread!

 

[Deb in IA]

There are people in DeLand that are just wandering around in shock as many homes were completley leveled. 18 wheeler semi's were tossed around I 4 near SR44 like toys.

Yikes. DH's cousin lives in DeLand.

 

[C.Ann]

My sister's cell phone was working this morning, but now all I'm getting is a busy signal.. No go with the land line at all..

 

[ducklite]

If anyone wants me to try to get through to one of your family members from a local exchange, I'd be happy to. Just PM me the persons first name and number and your first name and relationship.

Sometimes local lines will work when long distance lines are down.

Anne

 

[yo-ho-yo-ho]

My thoughts are with the famlies of the dead and injured

 

[monarchsfan16]

My grandparents are at The Villages for the winter. I have no idea what section they're in; I'm sure it was said at some point, but I never thought I'd have reason to worry about it. Now all that info is at home, and I'm at school. Don't have their cell phone number either. Needless to say I'm totally freaking out. I can't pull myself away from the videos

 

[C.Ann]

My grandparents are at The Villages for the winter. I have no idea what section they're in; I'm sure it was said at some point, but I never thought I'd have reason to worry about it. Now all that info is at home, and I'm at school. Don't have their cell phone number either. Needless to say I'm totally freaking out. I can't pull myself away from the videos

----------------------------------

If you have a street address, perhaps GeorgeG from these boards can give you some info.. He lives in The Villages..

Praying they are safe..

 

[monarchsfan16]

I don't have a street address. It's at home, and I'm an hour from home at college. The rest of my family is at work and school.

 

[ChristmasElf]

Local 6 is reporting that this is now believed to be the worst disaster evr to hit in Lake county.

Also the weather radios that a few posters have mentioned are available at all Walgreens stores for a discounted price.

 

[ducklite]

Local 6 is reporting that this is now believed to be the worst disaster evr to hit in Lake county.

So far with what I've seen this is far worse than the combined damage from Charley, Frances, and Jeanne. I'm in very Central Western Orange County right now at work, and unfortunately the wind seems it be picking up and clouds are getting dark overhead again.

Also the weather radios that a few posters have mentioned are available at all Walgreens stores for a discounted price.

Mine came from Radio Shack for under $30.

I also have a weather band built into the SONY Dream Machine clock/radio/CD player I have on my desk at work. It doesn't "Alert" but it does carry NOAH weather info. I would strongly buying the type that alerts you when there is a weather emergency.

Anne

 

[ChristmasElf]

So far with what I've seen this is far worse than the combined damage from Charley, Frances, and Jeanne. I'm in very Central Western Orange County right now at work, and unfortunately the wind seems it be picking up and clouds are getting dark overhead again.



Mine came from Radio Shack for under $30.

I also have a weather band built into the SONY Dream Machine clock/radio/CD player I have on my desk at work. It doesn't "Alert" but it does carry NOAH weather info. I would strongly buying the type that alerts you when there is a weather emergency.

Anne

Tom Sorrels (the weatherman from local 6) just held one of the radios up and said it was the best investment people could make for these cases.

 

[TigerKat]

Prayers said for all involved in this horrible disaster.

 

[Mai Ku Tiki]

So far with what I've seen this is far worse than the combined damage from Charley, Frances, and Jeanne. I'm in very Central Western Orange County right now at work, and unfortunately the wind seems it be picking up and clouds are getting dark overhead again.



Mine came from Radio Shack for under $30.

I also have a weather band built into the SONY Dream Machine clock/radio/CD player I have on my desk at work. It doesn't "Alert" but it does carry NOAH weather info. I would strongly buying the type that alerts you when there is a weather emergency.

Anne

I just came online to check that all our DISers are ok, but especially you, Anne, and VIRGO10. You've both always been so patient & helpful with my many queries.

Keeping ALL in my thoughts, prayers & meditations. Hopefully, soon, we can learn how to help from afar...there may be cast members impacted. And let's not forget our four-legged friends!

 

[Fitswimmer]

My parents live in the Spanish Springs section of the Villages, so they're ok. I asked my Mom to let me know once donation drives or anything like that are established. I'll post any info I get.

 

[ducklite]

Tom Sorrels (the weatherman from local 6) just held one of the radios up and said it was the best investment people could make for these cases.

This is so true. I'll admit I was ready to smash it to smithereens last night after it alerted for the eighth time, but it also probably kept me from sleeping so soundly that I wouldn't have woken up had the tornado's roar been coming at us.

I'm going to try to get hold of one of the shelters and see if I can bring a tray of cookies and pan of ziti or mac n cheese tomorrow for them.

Anne

 

[monarchsfan16]

Finally found out my grandparents are safe. The house they're in had no damage, but they're within a mile or so of the damage. Something like 500 homes in the small community they're in within The Villages have been damaged. Very long day of freaking out for me. My thoughts remain with those still looking for information

 

[safetymom]

I guess it is time to go buy a weather radio. I slept through the storm last night. I slept through a fire alarm at a hotel the week before.

 

[ARDisHog]

I know what some of you mean by a weather radio waking you up in the middle of the night for a warning 90+ miles away. I used to get aggrivated because ours would wake us up for a warning near the southern part of the state when we lived near the northern part of the state. =(

However, you can program some weather radios with a code, I believe it is called a SAME code, to where you only get warnings for certain counties. I currently have ours programmed for our county and the surrounding counties. I do the surrounding counties to give us a heads up that bad weather is on the way as you usually see severe weather continue into the next county. Especially, if it's bad enough to do damage like we have recently seen in Lake County, FL.

My family's prayers go out to the familys and loved ones who have been effected by these tragic events.

 

[ducklite]

That would be great! I'd like to get Lake, Polk (Cause Virgo10 keeps sending bad weather my way ) Osceola and Orange only. Too bad I couldn't drill it down to only get west Osceola!

I'll have to find the instruction book. Thanks for the tip!

Anne