I live in the Tampa Bay area of Florida and my anxiety level right now is very high. I have barely worked on Z all day, spending my day prepping my house, taking in anything that could become a projectile in the wind from the hurricane, trying to plan ahead with a storm that is currently showing a path of uncertainty other than it being the most dangerous storm to ever come to our area in over 100 years… and I’m not too proud to tell you I’m scare sh_t.
I am likely to lose power in the next day or two, the hotels are all booked up except for the ones on the beach…where nobody wants to be right now. I had a hotel booked for north of Tampa but now looks like that’s a worse place to go than where I am now
Anyone else who lives here… be safe and evacuate if asked to. It’s not worth your life.
Mark, You May already know or have done most of these things but just in case—
About the hurricane, if you are going to ride it out in your house, fill your bathtub with water, any other containers too. Batteries and flashlights, candles and matches. Canned goods, can opener. Portable battery operated radio. Charge your cell phone, laptop ahead of time. Important documents in waterproof container. Remember Medical records, pills. If you choose to leave, go east to winter haven (my best suggestion), lake wales, or Lakeland. Before it gets too rough to travel. Let someone know where you will be and how to contact you. Prayer helps too. (Charlie 2004 power was out for 6 days, trees went down because the ground was super saturated, so lots of roads blocked) Be proactive.
My prayers are with you and all who will be affected. I have moved from the Fort Lauderdale area to North Carolina for a fresh start and to try to avoid the anxiety you are feeling now. Much of my Family lives in Pinellas county and are on the Police force, in the medical field and the National Guard and will not be evacuating, so I truly understand your fears. You have prepared, now is the time for Faith and to Hope for the best. I’m afraid the aftermath will be most challenging, but remember no storm lasts forever. I wish you to be as safe as possible.
I understand how you feel. I live on Cape Cod quite near the ocean. That seems like a scary storm headed your way. In 2013, a really bad storm was headed here I decided to pick up my elderly Mom and go to the local high school which was official Red Cross shelter. If that is an option, I suggest it. It was very therapeutic to be with emergency experts and other people. We were there 3 days. Wishing you the best. I’m sure you have your Go Bag all set. You would be a fool not to be afraid. Let us know how you are doing if you can.
Oh my gosh…I have a friend who just moved to Hudson, of all places, which has been pretty much bullseye for the entire period I have been watching. I am not liking what I am seeing. I will be thinking about the both of you!
Thinking of you and praying you will be spared any serious impact from the hurricane. We just moved to VA from coastal St. Petersburg, FL in the spring and understand what it’s like to wait and watch an approaching hurricane. If you have a car, try to make sure it is on high ground to avoid the flooding. Stay safe and check in with us when you can.
My heart is with you this week. I’m on the other side of the state in Melbourne Beach. The watching and waiting is so hard – we went through it with Dorian which ended up staying off the coast. Hoping you avoid major damage to your home, but most importantly, stay safe.
I’m in Florida too! Hold on everyone… This one is a big, but remember, if you live in a newer home they have been built to code to withstand hurricane winds. My thoughts are with all of you on the Gulf. And remember that help comes fast from all over when the storm is gone.
I took a gamble and drove to Orlando where I’m staying right now with my wife and 2 dogs and whatever belongings we could put in my SUV that mattered most to us. I’m just hoping our home is still standing and habitable when we go back.
Have not worked on Z since we left our home. Just dropping in here for a status update. I’m shutting down my device after this message. I wish all others safe travels and heed any evacuation notices… don’t be brave. Better to be alive then dead after being brave. Likely to loose power some time in next 24 hours. Best to all
Happy to say a neighbor scoped out our home and said all is in tact except for a side of house fence gone. We are still in Orlando which BTW also suffered lots of flooding… just not where our Hotel is.
So thank you for all your well wishes… and thank you Zazzle for keeping my sales coming in while I was away from home and without power most of the time here until this morning. This platform is a Godsend to me and has been for the better part of 10 years.
Wishing you all continued success and safe travels… and if your home suffered damage I wish you a fast recovery
Thank you for your suggestions. As it turned out we went north instead of east and it was a wise decision / guess. Just figured a cat 1 in Orlando (where out hotel is) was going to be safer than a cat 3-4 near the gulf.
I packed as if I would never see my home again… just preparing for the worst in case that’s what life was going to throw at us. The year I bought my current house a cat 4 hurricane was heading right to my home area. I drove all the way to Atlanta to stay with family… and the last few hours before landfall that storm did a quick shift away from out area. I have been blessed, twice now.
