@-) Cat 3 now??

Huh, Tandoori Girl? They just said on TV that Charley is now a Category 1, but that it "could become a Category 2 or even possibly a Category 3 tomorrow after crossing the Keys.

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/grap...l/111453.shtml

This is what I am using to keep up with the storms ~

... and please, in a panic to get out, lets not forget to evacuate our pets!!!

THE SPCA advises not to leave them home and hope they'll ride it out. They say your "pet survival kit" should have: collar with tags and leash, meds, pet carrier, crate, two weeks supply of pet food/water, health records, cat litter/pan, muzzle (if it bites!), favorite toy, soft blanket, current photo.

And, remember, SPCA, local aniumal servcies and the Human Society do not provide emergency boarding. Keep your pets with you, and plan ahead.

If you're in a safe area, and watching TV to track the storms, if your pet's like mine, he or she may want to watch with you. Never too early to teach a pet some simple science.

Is anybody outthere?

This is Siesta Key, can anyone hear me?


I have till midnight to decide if <b>should I stay or should I go?</b>, a great song. Sarasota County just called. I was informrd that the bridges of Siesta Key will be raised by midnight. Once that happens, me and my 3 kitty kats are stuck.

What d the experts think?

Leave.

I live in Sarasota - not on a key - and work for the City. The County issued a mandatory evac for the barrier islands. I suggest you leave before you're stuck. We are off work tomorrow.

Well, I'm leaning towards staying. I will make my final decision by 8 or 9pm. If I stay and if there is power available, I will try to report.

Go, do not stay.

Losing power is no fun.

You don't know scared until you start to wonder if the roof is going to go first or a tree is going to come crashing through your roof.

Is that noise the hurricane or a tornado?

Do you understand 60 mile an hour sustained winds? Let alone 105 mile per hour sustained winds.

You have a safe chance to get out now. Why would you want to stay? Is your life worth the risk?

AA- LEAVE NOW!! Take the cats and get outtathere!
I want to read about your stay in some hotel, how the cats liked it, that sort of thing. Not what it was like for you to be stuck somewhere alone with the kitties!!
Be safe everybody- I am worried about all of you :(
We have a very black sky and big thunder, no wind. Still and creepy.
Stay in touch!!!

AA can you bear the thought of one of your cats being blown away by 100 mph winds in the rain? Can you imagine yourself in that situation with no roof? Don't risk it...head to someplace safe before it's too late.

I agree with the other posters, AA. 'Tis better to be safe than sorry.

Hey there, Scarlett, OO, and other fellow Floridians, all watching and waiting! Just sliding over from my usual corner on the Europe forum to check in with y'all.

Here in Gainesville, about mid-way between the East and West Coasts, we're getting sloshed with a steady rain, but no wind to speak of.

If the power goes off, we luckily have a small propane stove, purchased right after 9/11. Of course, the box has never been opened and I haven't the faintest idea how to light the thing. My family might find themselves blown away not by the wind, but by the chef.

Scarlett, I've got one imaginary hand stretched out in your direction and the other hand toward OO, on the opposite coast. Hold tight! Between the three of us, we've got home base covered.

P.S. Don't forget to charge your cell phones. To quote Bette Davis: &quot;Buckle your seat belts, its's going to be a bumpy night!&quot;

We've been having tornado warnings on and off all afternoon.

Scarlett, are you guys business as usual or like us, glued to The Weather Channel watching Mike Siddel getting blown to peices?

:-[
I hate this. I hope all you guys on the gulf are okay and this stupid storm just churns away in the gulf and dissapates.

OO-you and Mr. OO should be fine in that big ole Hyatt. That hotel is probably the sturdiest building in the area.

I still can't get over the keys residents not evacuating. That blows my mind. At the highest point they are 4 feet above sea level. I'm guessing it has been too long since any of them have seen a hurricane or they wouldn't stay.

OO and Scarlett, and the rest of you in harm's way, I hope a mircle happens and it goes out to sea!

My hubby's return home flight from Detroit to NYC was just cancelled!! Do you believe it?!? They say it's because of the WEATHER...last I looked out the window it was sunny. Late tonight and through Friday, we are going to get hit with heavy rains, so probably no chance of getting out Friday either...leaving for Chicago Saturday for vacation - timing stinks. If he can't find another flight out, he'll drive home. ARRRGH!!!

I just had to vent...doesn't compare to rain AND hurricane force winds, I know. Hope you guys and gals in FL are hanging in there! My family has secured their shutters and have two families from the low lying areas staying with them to ride the storm out. Stay well :)

stw where are you? We've been having terrible thunder &amp; lightning storms here in NJ since yesterday afternoon.

Last night all but 1 entrance to JFK airport were all flooded in 2'-0&quot; of water causing mass chaos over there. Many flights were delayed at Newark too.

I'll take that over a hurricane or two any day...even if our weekend will be all rained out.

Normally I'm cool as a cucumber in bad weather, but my sister lives in Safety Harbor and just recently got out of the hospital. I'm TOTALLY freaked :( As nearly as I can tell, it's due for a direct hit, is that correct?

Scarlett, just watched a tornado on TV tear up some stuff your way, but (I hope) not exactly where you are. Seems to be hitting the eastern part of your city. Lots of lightning. Power lines down, trees twisted off. Another tornado just announced.

Kiddo, I know you may not be hooked up to your computer right now, but you and yours are in my troubled thoughts. Hope that's some protection.

Good luck to all you Floridians!! Stay safe!!!

Reading all this makes me so happy I only have an occasional earthquake to deal with--hurricanes seem a little too scary for me. Stay safe!!