Statia

I hope all our North and South Carolina friends are ok, as well. Let us hear from you when you are able.

OO

I'm back, having stayed the night in the hotel as we were already there. We are so thankful for our unbelievable luck, but horrified for what people in other sections of the state have experienced. Terrible devastation and now loss of life as well--it's heartbreaking. It appeared absolutely certain this storm would go into Tampa Bay, and although those in areas outside the anticipated hit know to be prepared "just in case" it changes direction, you just don't prepare the same way, and you don't necessarily evacuate, even those in the most vulnerable of homes. So awful--and it's not finished yet. I hope those in the Carolinas stay safe...

This was a terrible scenario, with virtually everyone predicting Tampa as the target just hours before landfall, and even in Tampa they were predicting it to hit as either a strong Cat 2 or weak Cat 3...not a 4. These predictions which all proved wrong at the last minute, have meant more damage, as well as loss of life and many injuries for a population that was blindsided.

I had no hope of escaping a hit from this, and for the first time in my life, really "felt" what it means when someone says a "weight was lifted from my shoulders". It was a literal feeling, physically feeling lighter. When it was apparent that it had indeed made the surprise turn, I went to call our kids, who had been so worried about us and worried because we were staying in the hotel. I got their answering machine as they were at work, and started to leave the message, "hi guys, it's Mom, just wanted to let you know that the storm turned and is going to miss us...." and I got those words out and couldn't say another word...was so surprised by the emotion that suddenly welled up in the flood of relief. If I hadn't paused for several seconds to regain control, they would have gotten a big sob rather than the words of reassurance that I had intended. We were so very very lucky...but at someone else's expense.

I too am worried about LilMsFoodie. Hope she is OK and GoTravel is quite near to where it is now--prayers to any Fodorites still along the path of Charlie--stay safe.

Everyone, thanks so much for the good wishes leading up to this. There has been so much kindness and caring--it was terrific and meant alot to all of us! Good guys, this group of Fodorites!

sludick

dian, down here in Clermont (south of The Villages) I haven't heard specifically anything from that area yet. That's good news. I think that the storm tracked mostly to the east of there and damage would be limited. Just had a call from a friend on the east side of Orlando; he said it looks like a war zone over there. Power restoral estimated at 4-7 days; power poles pointing north, etc. He said that Winter Park is pretty torn up as well.

cd

Continued thoughts and prayers......

SeaUrchin

I would like to add my thoughts and prayers to all of the people affected by the storms.

Patrick

Since I live in a three story townhouse right across the street from the bay in Naples (my ground floor office is about 5 feet above mean high tide) we left yesterday to spend the day with friends at higher ground. We returned last evening to find lots of trees uprooted including a huge one totally uprooted but being held up at an angle against our three story building -- but no major damage.

Things look horrible to the north of us, and this storm really showed the unpredictability of hurricanes. When we lost power just about an hour before the eye hit, the latest report was it had turned eastward again and was aimed for Sanibel Island (meaning we'd get lots of damage just southeast of there). Then it turned northward more. And it went from a category 2 to a category 4 in a matter of only a couple of hours. I do know that many people in the most affected area stayed at home because the more recent predictions indicated a landfall much further north and not of such a great intensity. Once the course had changed, it was too late to evacuate.

Lil Ms Foodie, don't you live north of Ft. Myers? How are you doing?

Most of Naples is still without power (not to mention the more affected areas north of us and Ft. Myers). Somehow my imediate neighborhood regained power during the night after being off about 12 hours. My refrigerator has become the holding place for friends who still have no power.

Scarlett

OO, Thank goodness you are all OK! It is very sad and we all have to thank someone up there for those who are safe.
I know what you mean about the Big Sob, I have had a few today and had one reading your post
GoTravel said she was leaving yesterday, I am hoping their home is spared and all of our friends will be home and safe soon.
We need to have a GTG so we can give hugs
Sappy Scarlett, signing out~

cigalechanta

So happy to see most of you checking in to let us know you are all OK.
This was the worst gulf coast storm in a hundred years and my prayers and sympathy to all who are in Harm's Way.

indie

what a relief to see som many of you checkin. Hoping the folks in the way fo this storm as it heads north stay safe

ronkala

Family in St Augustine, sister near the beach and the other North of the city, said things in that area are ok. One said we went through worse as kids on Long Island during the 1938 hurricane.

Katherine

Good morning. I was wondering what we can do to help Floridians and others. I made my donation to American Red Cross but am wondering if I should drive over with clothes, food etc...
I cannot seem to find information but if any of you hear of any local needs please post.
My thoughts and prayers continue.
Katherine
Fort Worth Texas

jenny

diann, we got an e-mail this AM from friends in The Villages : they are OK , "dodged the bullet" as he put it.
Our special place Sanibel was not so fortunate.

sunbabe

We have been following the coverage of Charley for the past two days. Even though I have never met any of the folks on this board, I feel a connection from reading posts over the last six months. I was reluctant to sign off Fodors last night and was devastated when watching TV reports this morning. Just minutes ago I received an email with an update on a family from our church in Illinois. They are in Punta Gorde visiting family , but they're all safe! I knew they were vacationing in Florida, but had no idea they were in Punta Gorde. Small world.

God bless all of you and stay safe!

diann

Sludick, thanks I just heard from my friend in Lady Lakes. She said it was mircale they suffered no damages at all. Our regrets and prayers with those of you who did. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Clousie

So glad to hear that my Fodor friends came through Charley okay. When my parents lived in Florida, we were always anxious until we heard from them, and now so many of you have become my extended family.

Relatives in Safety Harbor are also breathing big sighs of relief and disbelief about their experience.

Our thoughts and prayers to everyone.

ccolor

I spoke with some of my relatives in Kissimmee this morning. They were without electricity and had lost many huge trees, but were fine. I guess they had tried to us for an update on their status, but were unable to send outgoing calls - please keep that in mind if you have relatives or friends that you haven't heard from.

Patrick

One of the best lessons this storm is teaching people is that you need to have a regular old fashioned plug in telephone. While much power is out, people can't use their cordless phones -- they simply won't work. And many cell phones are out. But regular phone service is working, since most all service is cable or underground and unaffected by the storm. My mother in a "retirement center" in Naples is still without power, but we can talk via phone since she has a regular one, and I plugged in my old one replacing a cordless during our power outage last night.

hibiscushouse

Just listening to the rumble of lots of thunder at the moment.
Got back to Indian Rocks Beach around 5:30 last night. We were just over the Belleair Beach bridge, high up on the bluffs in my brother's house. Would have been safe from the storm surge, but certainly not from those incredible winds. Can't imagine the fear those people must have had as they lived through those winds!
When we left yesterday, we pretty much had kissed our home good-bye. As we were tucking our children into their beds in their upstairs bedrooms last night, and kissing them goodnight, I couldn't believe we had been so fortunate. I thought for sure we would never see these bedrooms again. I have to say, I felt so guilty going downstairs and turning the air conditioner down, knowing so many were without power, without a home.
I understand that there will be people that will be upset and think that they did not have enough warning to prepare for this storm. Having seen the way these storms behave a number of times, I hope people realize that these hurricanes have a mind of their own. As good as our weathermen are and the technology they have to track these storms, mother nature makes up her own mind in the end. And if you are anywhere near the path, consider that the predicted path can change quickly and the situation you find yourself in can change as well. Just be prepared for what could possibly happen. Have a plan ready just in case.
My heart goes out to everyone that's been touched or will be touched by this monster that just doesn't seem to want to die!

Scarlett

Best wishes to those in North & South Carolina (obxgirl & GoTraveland others)..I hope it is losing strength, I hope you all stay safe!
Scarlett

OO

I can't figure out if these storms we are having now are tailends of junk tracking up from the hurricane, or is this just typical afternoon in the summer in FL weather? Tornado warnings are popping up all around us and as Hibiscushouse said...it is rumbling thunder off and on. The weather is worse in Tampa today than it was yesterday!

I know what you mean Hibiscus about not being able to believe you were so fortunate. I had the same feelings. It was so hard to believe we had escaped it! I didn't think we had a prayer.

Now we are sending our best to everyone up the coast. Hopefully it will weaken significantly and soon!