If TropicalBob is missing from this forum beginning Tuesday, the likely cause is Hurricane Fay. This storm now south of Cuba is projected to curve and run up the West Coast of Florida, coming onshore just north of where I live.
That's our worst nightmare.
A landfalling hurricane north of Charlotte Harbor could push 27-foot surge waters into the bay, inundating the entire downtown. And three days ago, we had the four-year anniversary of Hurricane Charley, which devastated my area as a Category 4 hurricane. I have never in my life been as terrified as I was that day. The destruction was massive, almost indescribable. My house held together fairly well (only $30,000 damage), but I watched roofs come off neighboring homes in winds gusting to 168 mph. Entire subdivisions were wiped out. The airport was destroyed. Every fire station in the county was demolished.
Fay promises to be a different beast. Charley brought wind; Fay threatens with water. After Charley, I had no electricity for two weeks. No Internet or cable. No city water. No cell phone or land line. We lined up for Salvation Army barbecue sandwiches along main roads.
Now comes a threatened repeat for my area. Along our Gulf shores, virtually every house is worth more than $1 million. The insurance bill for this storm could be staggering if it follows the path projected by the National Hurricane Center. If I post Wednesday, you'll know we got spared massive damage. If I don't, I'm down but hopefully not out.
That's our worst nightmare.
A landfalling hurricane north of Charlotte Harbor could push 27-foot surge waters into the bay, inundating the entire downtown. And three days ago, we had the four-year anniversary of Hurricane Charley, which devastated my area as a Category 4 hurricane. I have never in my life been as terrified as I was that day. The destruction was massive, almost indescribable. My house held together fairly well (only $30,000 damage), but I watched roofs come off neighboring homes in winds gusting to 168 mph. Entire subdivisions were wiped out. The airport was destroyed. Every fire station in the county was demolished.
Fay promises to be a different beast. Charley brought wind; Fay threatens with water. After Charley, I had no electricity for two weeks. No Internet or cable. No city water. No cell phone or land line. We lined up for Salvation Army barbecue sandwiches along main roads.
Now comes a threatened repeat for my area. Along our Gulf shores, virtually every house is worth more than $1 million. The insurance bill for this storm could be staggering if it follows the path projected by the National Hurricane Center. If I post Wednesday, you'll know we got spared massive damage. If I don't, I'm down but hopefully not out.
Keeping my thoughts with you and yours.
