Glad to hear so many have been mostly spared. Still waiting to see LilMsFoodie and GoTravel check in. Patrick, glad you're ok. That phone lesson was learned just a year ago today by many in the northeast when we lost power.

I'm so happy to hear that so many of the Fodorite voices that we've been "hearing" for the past couple of years are alive and well. I know what you mean about the tears welling up - one of my closest friends narrowly escaped getting killed in a terrible traffic accident at the beginning of the week, and both she and I get caught by wells of huge emotion from time to time. It's a life-changing experience. Our thoughts continue to be with you and with all of the others who had to face this.

Katherine:
One thing you and others could do is contact the Red Cross or local hospital about giving blood. Surely the number of injuries will be cutting into the blood supply. All it takes is about an hour or less of your time, and it is virtualy painless.

It's so good to hear from the Florida folks that you came through it intact. I do hope we hear good news from others soon. My heart breaks for those who've lost so much.

Thanks Scarlett for the good wishes! We're sitting tight and hoping for the best.

I'm so glad to see that everyone checking in thus far was spared. Let's hope we continue to have good news like this.

The Red Cross is asking for $
1-800-HELP NOW

Also, just in case, we're keeping our home in it's present 'hurricane prepared' state for the time being. At least until we have a better idea of what is going on the other side of Barbados.
Keep your eye on the sky!

I'm so happy to hear that many of our florida fodorites are doing ok!! And obxgirl, too! Here's hoping we hear from GoTravel and JAYNE soon, also. Prayers continuing for ALL in their recovery and rebuilding.

We live on the SE side of Orlando. Some pool enclosures blown over (not ours), trees down, etc. House faces south and the rain was actually blowing under our front door around 10:00 last evening. I just read on the Florida Sportsman Fishing Forum that Captiva Island is now split by a new channel.

Correction: That is North Captiva Island that is split in two.

I'm here.

I hate these storms. They change direction, speed, and force and people die.

My heart just breaks for those people in Punta Gorda.

I don't know why I did not think to do this sooner! I've come "over" from the Europe board , and I am so glad I did.

Ronkala, we have an elderly friend who lives alone down in St. Augustine so it is good to hear your report.
I still need to hear from a few others who live down there before I breath more easily.
You experienced the 1938 hurricane ?!!!

OO- until i read your post, I was "OK" ,but reading your words ddefinitely dampened my eyes.

Hibicushouse- I can not even begin to imagine what that relief felt like to you , to find that all was still standing.All I could think of was how I would feel tucking my children into bed
My thoughts are with all of those affected by this storm. It is so sad to hear about the damage and loss of life .

Hibiscushouse

oops, computer had mind of own and posted my reply before I was done.

anyway, I just wanted to finish up by saying I am glad that those of you who live down that way are checking in and relieving the anxieties of those of us far away.

Wish you all the best in the coming days ahead .

Hospitals blasted, crush injuries, bleeding bodies, inadequate government warning/response, 100's missing. Way Awful!
If the terrorists have anything to say, stick around, mis amigos.
M

A little more information on that mention of North Captiva Island being split into two parts.
Sanibel and Captiva used to all be connected. Hurricane Donna in 1960 created a new channel cutting between the two sections. This channel still exists today and is spanned by a bridge.
North Captiva Island was already separated from Captiva Island itself, and could only be reached by boat (or small plane). The new channel created yesterday by Charley doesn't affect a whole lot except for those people living on the island. Perhaps they will need to build a bridge to span that new channel.

Patrick, I am glad to hear you are OK. Sounds like you all came close to disaster. I haven't heard anything about Sanibel, one of my favorite places. Is it totally destroyed, or have you heard? I am on the East Coast, and we were spared by Andrew by less than 30 miles. My heart goes out to the people on the West Coast of Florida.

I'm so glad to see posts from all you Foridians. Hope LilMsFoodie's OK too.

Patrick, that phone advice is good for anyone anywhere. You don't need a hurricane to have a power outage and cell phones are only good as long as they are charged.

Just wanted to send thoughts & best wishes from here in Scotland. I've been lucky enough to visit Florida a couple of times, including a stay in Bonita Beach which I guess must have been close to the stricken area. I was shocked to see the scale of the damage & my heart goes out to all those affected.

All the best,

Jim

nanb,
Yes I was there for the '38 one. I remmember the stream behind the house flooding into our back yard and big oak trees having been blown over in the woods behind the house. I remember the ones in the forties better. My father would cut the trees up and I would have to help drag logs home through the woods
so we could have firewood for the furnace.

My sister lives about five miles north of St Augustine in a mobile home and said her only damage was a little water that seeped in along one window.

OK here in Gainesville, where we had only rain, no wind.

Thank you to all who expressed concern, it did help. When faced with potential devastation, unsure of the outcome of the next few hours, we who waited did take heart from a sense of connection with others.

Millions of Floridians remain without power. Many of those in the hardest hit areas may not be able to check in.

They may not be able to read our posts right now, but I believe that they can receive our thoughts, benefit from both nearby and far away prayers.

Perhaps for someone reaching the last of their strength, someone overwhelmed by loss, facing the immensity of the effort it will take to rebuild lives, our concern will help them hold on.

Well said, Croque Madame.