Hurricane Matthew

[FCStreamer]

Originally Posted by avionstream

That might be too soon, it's moving slowly. Ar you on the west coast?

I'm in Tampa but the RV park is closer to the east coast.

[Lily&Me]

A lot can happen in 36 hours...it may turn east.

We can hope...


Maggie

[Noggin]

Originally Posted by avionstream

Alachua county expects 60 mph winds for 12 to 20 hours. Gainesville, 60 miles inland.

I sure hope they have that wrong. 60 MPH winds would tear us up.

[Jim & Susan]

FYI, y'all. If you're planning on evacuating thru Georgia, traffic has picked up on I-75 northbound into the Atlanta area already. Our little town on the south-side was very congested with traffic late today. Lots of northbound folks jumping off the interstate and taking secondary roads. I don't want to blow this out of proportion, because it isn't "bad", but definitely noticeable. Edit: meant to mention, I-75 from about mile post 212 to 230 is under heavy construction. Only adds to the long, slow traffic backups. .

Some communities along the Georgia coast have been ordered to evacuate. If you're coming from the Savannah area, at some point I-16 will convert to west bound on both sides of the interstate.

Just a suggestion, if you're on the fence, now's the time to point those beautiful Airstreams north or west and shove off.

Be safe everybody.

Jim

[skitique]

We have the trailer packed & will make the final decision to leave or stay Thursday. Will be traveling with 3 dogs, 4 cats, my mom, hubby, & me. We live in Charleston, SC about 25 miles inland. No easy decision for sure.


Jane

[Mike1997]

Special note for those in Florida******

I have been in Ft Lauderdale since August staying at YachtHaven near the airport on Marina Mile. Beautiful place on the water but its only 5' above sea level. I left Wednesday morning for Ft. Myers and beat the crowds, now staying at Tamiami RV Park till weekend. Plenty of spaces here and most other RV's have come over from east coast.

At 9pm found my old neighbor from YachtHaven pulling in. He said Broward County issued an evacuation order for everything along Marina Mile at 2pm. Gave folks till dark to get out!! Needless to say they were glad to get here but exhausted from packing so fast and getting out against the traffic.

It pays to plan ahead and not wait till you are TOLD to leave

[OTRA15]

As of last night's 8 PM update, there is about a 10% chance of hurricane force winds (>= 74 MPH) reaching into central Florida:

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/grap...oop?#wcontents

50-knot loop:

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/grap...oop?#wcontents

Good luck, you southern folks!

Peter

PS -- In addition to the risk of high winds, this interactive Storm Surge map shows risks for folks in low lying areas:

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/grap...ation#contents

[Click on Imagery with Labels at the top right and zoom in as needed.]

[xrvr]

Local county authorities are calling for steady 50 mph a winds for as long as 20 hours.ther will be lots of trees and wires down, Alachua county, Gainesville.

[xrvr]

I would reconsider any trip tp Florida until after next Wednesday, this thing may come back on us then as a tropical storm at least. A double hit. I guess our luck has run out.

[xrvr]

One of the long term projections is another landfall on south Florida on Wednesday and going out into the gulf. These are usually not accurate, at least I hope so.

[Lily&Me]

Originally Posted by skitique

We have the trailer packed & will make the final decision to leave or stay Thursday. Will be traveling with 3 dogs, 4 cats, my mom, hubby, & me. We live in Charleston, SC about 25 miles inland. No easy decision for sure.


Jane

Watching the Today show just now, the storm trajectory and predicted winds are looking pretty grim.

Be safe.


Maggie

[skitique]

Thanks Maggie! Hug Lily for me.

Jane

[Lily&Me]

Lily woke me in the night, cold nose lightly touching my cheek, as it thundered and lighteninged outside.

She was shaking and panting, needing to cuddle up, feel safe, and be comforted.

Cannot imagine her storm-averse self in a hurricane.

You have a long drive to get inland, Jane....I say, go, better safe than sorry....but you've been thru hurricanes before, so your judgement is certainly better than mine.

You're so vulnerable to the sea down in there.

All of you in the storms path, please keep us posted, as we'll worry.


Maggie

[skitique]

After watching the the trajectory today we've decided to stay. Looks like everyone in my neighborhood has decided the same. We all took stock of water, generators, etc. & all are willing to share. Good neighbors are a great blessing.

Thanks
Jane

[Lily&Me]

Let us know when it passes and that you are well, safe, and not underwater.


Maggie

[OTRA15]

Jane I think I would stay in Charleston also, as I look at the maps and forecasts. In particular the storm surge map linked at the bottom of Post #47 seemed OK when I checked it this morning (except for actual waterfront locations on the rivers and harbors).

Peter

[OTRA15]

Clarification -- Jane said earlier that she lives about 25 miles inland in the Charleston area, which was the basis for my previous "would stay" comment. Folks close to the shore should obviously follow all government evacuation orders.

Stay safe.

Peter

[jayseejay]

After closing up the house, we evacuated Amelia Island FL yesterday and have landed at Seminole Lake SP in southwest GA. Beautiful campground and weather here. Joe

[OTRA15]

Showtime, good luck all.

http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/sou...r-radar?play=1

Looks like the eye is SE of Palm Beach, right over Freeport:

http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/sou...r-radar?play=1

As I watched the Weather Channel, it looks like the eye might be tracking a little east of the forecasted path IMO.

[Al and Missy]

Originally Posted by Al and Missy

We were going to take the trailer and head to Stephen Foster SP tomorrow or Thursday and then on to Cotton Hill COE campground on the GA-AL line but decided it was just not worth the hassle. We are heading to NC, sans trailer, for a few days and then will come back when all clear.

Everyone be safe/drive safe.

Al

We made it about 1:30 AM this morning. Traffic wasn't bad, pretty good actually, except for two accident scenes. The only hiccup was that the entrance to I-26W from I-95N was closed and they only thought to announce it just before the previous exit. Made a quick lane change and took the exit and some back roads into Orangeburg where we got on 26W.

The trailer is in its comfy inside storage about 10 miles from the ocean. The building is rated for 120mph so fingers crossed. The house is only 3/4 miles from the ocean. "Sources" are predicting a couple of hours of 115mph winds between midnight and 2AM, but interpolating the NHC track puts the center about 22 miles from the house and they have been repeating that the strongest winds only go out about 10-12 miles from the center. Fingers crossed. I have a weather station, but didn't think to change the backup battery. I MAY have evidence of peak wind at the house when I get back if the house is still there and the battery lasted.

Al