My thoughts are with all of you in Florida, it must be so difficult having just lived through Charlie...our medical editors live in Jacksonville Florida, and I spoke with them today. They were boarding up the windows and waiting...then I received this important email from them

You all should be aware of hurricane preparations, but in case you need a refresher course:

We're in the peak of the hurricane season. Any minute now, you're going to turn on the TV and see a weather person pointing to some radar blob out in the Atlantic Ocean and making two basic meteorological points.

(1) There is no need to panic.
(2) We could all be killed.

Yes, hurricane season is an exciting time to be in Florida. If you're new to the area, you're probably wondering what you need to do to prepare for the possibility that we'll get hit by "the big one." Based on our insurance industry experiences, we recommend that you follow this simple three step hurricane preparedness plan:

STEP 1:
Buy enough food and bottled water to last your family for at least
three days.

STEP 2:
Put these supplies into your car.

STEP 3:
Drive to Nebraska and remain there until Halloween. Unfortunately,
statistics show that most people will not follow this sensible plan.
Most people will foolishly stay here in Florida.

We'll start with one of the most important hurricane preparedness
items:

HOMEOWNERS' INSURANCE:

If you own a home, you must have hurricane insurance. Fortunately,
this insurance is cheap and easy to get, as long as your home meets
two basic requirements:

(1) It is reasonably well built, and

(2) It is located in Wisconsin

Unfortunately, if your home is located in Florida, or any other area
that might actually be hit by a hurricane, most insurance companies
would prefer not to sell you hurricane insurance, because then they
might be required to pay YOU money, and that is certainly not why
they got into the insurance business in the first place. So you'll
have to scrounge around for an insurance company, which will charge
you an annual premium roughly equal to the replacement value of your
house. At any moment, this company can drop you like used dental
floss.

SHUTTERS:
Your house should have hurricane shutters on all the windows, all the
doors. There are several types of shutters, with advantages and
disadvantages:

Plywood shutters:
The advantage is that, because you make them yourself, they're cheap.

Sheet metal shutters:
The advantage is that these work well, once you get them all up. The
disadvantage is that once you get them all up, your hands will be
useless bleeding stumps, and it will be December.

Roll down shutters:
The advantages are that they're very easy to use, and will definitely
protect your house. The disadvantage is that you will have to sell
your house to pay for them.

Hurricane proof windows:
These are the newest wrinkle in hurricane protection: They look like
ordinary windows, but they can withstand hurricane winds! You can be
sure of this, because the salesman says so. He lives in Nebraska.

Hurricane Proofing your property:
As the hurricane approaches, check your yard for movable objects like
barbecue grills, planters, patio furniture, visiting relatives,
etc... You should, as a precaution, throw these items into your
swimming pool . (If you don't have a swimming pool, you should have
one built immediately). Otherwise, the hurricane winds will turn
these objects into deadly missiles.

EVACUATION ROUTE:
If you live in a low-lying area, you should have an evacuation route
planned out. (To determine whether you live in a low-lying area, look
at your driver's license; if it says "Florida," you live in a
low-lying area).

The purpose of having an evacuation route is to avoid being trapped
in your home when a major storm hits. Instead, you will be trapped in
a gigantic traffic jam several miles from your home, along with two
hundred thousand> other evacuees. So, as a bonus, you will not be
lonely.

HURRICANE SUPPLIES:
If you don't evacuate, you will need a mess of supplies. Do not buy
them now! Florida tradition requires that you wait until the last
possible minute, then go to the supermarket and get into vicious
fights with strangers over who gets the last can of SPAM.

In addition to food and water, you will need the following supplies:

1. 23 flashlights and at least $167 worth of batteries that, when the power goes off, turn out to be the wrong size for the flashlights.

2. Bleach. (No, I don't know what the bleach is for. NOBODY knows what the bleach is for, but it's traditional, so GET some!)

3. A big knife that you can strap to your leg. (This will be useless in a hurricane, but it looks cool.)

4. A large quantity of raw chicken, to placate the alligators. (Ask anybody who went through Andrew; after the hurricane, there WILL be irate alligators.)

5. $35,000 in cash or diamonds so that, after the hurricane passes, you can buy a generator from a man with no discernible teeth.

Of course these are just basic precautions. As the hurricane draws near, it is vitally important that you keep abreast of the situation by turning on your television and watching TV reporters in rain slickers stand right next to the ocean and tell you over and over how vitally important it is for everybody to stay away from the ocean.

Good luck, and remember: It's great living in Paradise!!!

I bet I got that one 6 times today! We definitely feel like we have to retain our humor! We're about as ready as we can be. We were trying to get a generator but no luck. After Charley, we decided we did want one, but wanted to take our time and research them, but didn't plan on getting wholloped again so soon! So by the time we decided to take anything, they were all gone! Oh well - this too shall pass!

Gail, when I talked to Ted and Barbara, they said that this one is the biggest, and most likely the closets that they have ever experienced since they have been living in Jacksonville. I just have a pit in my stomach thinking about it (and I bet you have more than a pit in your stomach). I just can't imagine, you haven't even recovered from the last one I'm sure...go to the hug thread and take another one or two Here's one as well

Thanks! That which doesn't kill us only makes us stronger!

You are in our thoughts Gail. Stay strong:-{)}

Was going to post these on another thread, but thought they might be useful here:

You are in our thoughts Gail. Stay strong:-{)}

Was going to post these on another thread, but thought they might be useful here:

If any of you guys (Gail,Ted,Barbara) have to roll north Eva and I are in Waycross, GA....about 60 miles inland of Brunswick GA. From Orlando run straight up 301 from Orlando to US1 North to Waycross....that will dodge the major traffic. From JAX straight out on US1. We have around 8 to 10 folks showing up already but can make room for more.

Doh, Will try this again.

And

912-283-1499 house
912-449-0033 Sundance
912-337-7190 Wally Cell 1
912-337-7194 Wally Cell 2
912-337-3086 Eva Cell

Wally, thanks. I've emailed your info to Ted and Barbara:-)

Michael is going to Chapman's School in Stuart Florida in November, to become a full fledged Marine Surveyor with his own business. He has been apprenticing on weekends for over a year. I told him I hope the school is still there after this! Yikes! He was thinking about going in September, but we needed the extra couple months to get things in order. I told him this morning I'm glad he didn't go this month!

Good luck, to all of our Florida BT'ers! Our thoughts and prayers are with you!!!

LaDonna

Well, Charley missed us, but they're predicting this one will come closer. With hurricane force winds extending 80 miles out, I don't see how it can miss. As with Gail last time, if you don't hear from me for a couple of weeks, it's because we've lost power (and don't have a generator). And here I was worried about my son getting hit in Castleberry. He's offering me shelter now. LOL

Cynde, this is the first time I'd read that. I love it and can relate. Let's see, now I've survived Donna and Charley and will probably add Frances to my list as well.

Cool. Surveyors typically work on classed boats but have to deal with the smaller ones for insurance claims...if Michael would to tour the major builders in the east, and see some serious production boat building I can get him personal invites to some of my friends plants: Chaperal, Robalo, Sea Pro, Key West, Sea Hunt, Scout, Parker, Regal (Valdosta), Chris Craft, Aqua Sport/HydroSport, Palm Beach/Key Largo, Hunter, Sailfish, SeaRay, Boston Whaler, Edgewater, Hughes/Maverick, Dusky, Everglades, AND of course the venerable Sundance (now ranked 47th in the country)

Wally, he would be in HOG HEAVEN! I'm NOT showing him this thread! LOL! I guess it would be something he could do on weekends when he's in Stuart...he'll be there for 6 weeks. The surveyor he has been apprenticing with is a crusty old fart that has delivered boats all over the world, used celestial nav, and teaches in the marine science department at the local community college...so he's had a good teacher (He's a loveable crusty old fart though)

Congratulations on the ranking!

Cindy, it is scary, because the way it looks, it is going to hit the entire state in some sort of way...hang on, and if you do get the power knocked out, we'll be thinking of you!

(Message edited by cyndelee on September 2, 2004)

We got caught up in the Floyd evacuation a few years ago. Were in Cape Canaveral visiting our daughter. Couldn't imagine it would happen again so soon. Got the call this morning they are out on the road with their cats. Considering the projected duration of this one we suggested they just keep heading North and visit us this time.

I was introduced to the sextant in 68. No GPS or Loran back then...just RDF and it wasn't very good. Dad had me and my brother check the Radio Direction Finder by the stars...still managed to sail slap dap aground in the middle of the keys. In those days if you got lost in the gulf of mexico you turned NE and when you saw land...pull over and ask directions.

We took his celestial nav class last year...this guy went from Dana Point California to Fiji only turning his radar on once...when he was close to Fiji...too much math and books and calculating for me! LOL

Boy, are we off topic, but I guess we are talking about weather, boats, etc...and Florida has a lot of boats

It will have a few less next weekend

hey Wally, that would be fantastic, maybe not all in one visit but it would give us a great excuse to come out to the East coast several more times.

uh oh...he found the thread...hi hb

(Message edited by cyndelee on September 2, 2004)

Gary, safe travels for your daughter and cats. I hope they keep going North and get to your place

Plot a course Michael...quite a few builders within 2 hours drive of Stuart. Let me know your travel goof off days.

Good luck to everyone....Carole and Joe

sounds good Wally, I'll send you an email when I get my ducks in a row. thanks

I just watched the latest update - Cindy & Jim, hold tight - it looks like you're in for it with this projection - and Christine and Dr Doo too..... of course they said it can alter course 6 more times before landfall, so we can only get as secure as we can and leave the rest to God. (Sorry Seb).

Cindy - Casselberry is right up the way from us. I drive through it to get to and from work. Small world indeed.

Wally - Thanks for such a generous offer for the "strangers" that we are. All of the "in-laws" are in Alma, and some in Waycross too, I think. The Allens are Alma based (John's Mom's family), the Thomas's are from Nichols. (I must confess I've only been there for funerals.) On another note, our 18 footer is a Chapparell! We love it.

Oh - here's the kicker for us. My next door neighbor went to the doctor yesterday and her due date was moved from 9-16, to get this, 9-4 - SATURDAY! I don't know much about that barometric drop stuff - but we may be birthing us a baby during Frances!

We're all hunkered down here in south Florida. Most people by now are all boarded up, and bottled water and gasoline are pretty scarce.
It's pretty certain that this is going to be a 'Florida storm' due to the persistant high pressure that will prevent the track from turning north.
I'm sooo worried about our precious reefs. Not only those in Florida, but those in the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos as well.
After seeing the long-lasting effects that Lenny had on the Bonaire reefs, I'm worried that the same thing will happen here, but maybe even worse. Bonaire didn't take a direct hit, but Florida and the Bahamas will.
Please keep us in your prayers and let's all hope for the best. Robyn

Gail, yikes! I was just thinking, Dr Doo was in the Bahamas all last week diving...don't know when he was supposed to get home...calling Dr. Doo...calling Dr. Doo...

Gail, I would be sooooo stressed if my due date was Saturday! Yikes! Will be a birth to remember for sure! Hang tight all!

Michael...let me know when your ducks are rowing.
Gail...haul it on up here and bring preggers with you..if it's a girl we will name her Frances (my mother's name btw)....if we gonna be birthing babies, I'm gonna crank up the grill for a big ole BBQ party...let's welcome the little pooper in with a bang and a rain!!!

Good luck, to all Florida BT'ers! Our thoughts are with you!!!

Torsten

so how long does it take to fill a tank at 145mph ???

free air fills!!!

;)

My thoughts are with all of you from Florida, I hope everyone is safe.

Maybe we should've stayed in NH....no, the cats would never forgive us if we weren't here to hold their paws. Looks like a one day reprieve, but 24 hours to cross the state??? If it stays on track, we may be in for a wild ride, more like a water slide.

To al Floridians - my thoughts are with all of you. And keep us posted!!

Cynde, thanks for starting this thread. Dr. Doo is in Florida. Hola Miguelito!

Gail, good luck to your neighbor and let us know how it went.

Keep smiling

My thoughts and prayers are with you all in Florida. Stay safe and keep positive thoughts.
Robyn, I hope these storms don't leave a lasting effect on the reefs also. I will be hoping for the best for you all.

I hope the storm blows through fast

and that it leaves lots of sun behind with minimal damage

Just got off the phone with our news editors in Jacksonville, Ted said that it is raining like you can't believe, and thunder and lightening...they live on the St. John's river..

Here are a couple links to Florida cams...

http://home.earthlink.net/~bobbyjoeperkins/wx/wjxt_cam.htm

http://www.jacksonville.com/webcams/

Thanks for those links Cynde!

Just got off with our Dr. Doo...he is holding steady. He said that the gardeners were there mowing the lawn...so I asked him if they were making it "pretty" for Frances? LOL! I told him he needed to take a picture and post of the gardeners preparing...LOL! He said that currently in Tampa, it's sunny...I feel better knowing he's OK

It changed course again - and Tampa is no longer the exit point. It's back to coming straight up the state again. They say it'll probably change a half dozen more times!

On a lighter note my daughter called to say she wasn't arrested! Say WHAT? sez Mom! We still have a hugh pile of brush and branches out in front of our house from Charley that hasn't been picked up yet. This is bad because these can become missles in high winds. So Danielle and her boyfriend dug a large hole down at the lake side, dragged the branches down there, and set them on fire! Well, someone called the fire dept, and they rolled a truck for it! There's a no burn ordinence in our county.... The guys were pretty cool about it and didn't ticket them, just made them put out the fire. Dani said fortunately most of the stuff burned before they had to put it out! We just do what we have to do! At least her Dad and I had a good laugh over it.

Gail, a phone call from you kid saying "at least I wasn't arrested" is always a little...er...um...disconcerting! LOL!

OK, I sign on here and see a posting from one of our "respectable" web monitors and diety who works for an insurance company. It is about precautions to take in case of a hurricane. Since I am a new Florida resident, I think, "This could be helpful. I should print it out and keep it." When I start to read the printout, I realize that I have been had.

If I die in this storm, I will die a lot of batteries and bleach.

ROTFLMAO Mike! Here is a REAL link to Hurricane disaster kit and other emergency info it may be too late by now though Mikey, especially if they have run out of spam in the supermarkets...

I also got this great link that is tracking the storm...Wally, if you're out there, where in GA are you???

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ftp/graphics/AT06/refresh/AL0604W+GIF/030853W.gif

I have two cans of spam and lot of tuna. But if this storm keeps slowing down, I may run out of food before it gets here.

Hang in there Mike, you need to teach Woody how to play dominos. Here a great web cam to watch Frances come in.

Well Gail, it's moved again. As of 5pm they've put it back over Polk County. Guess we'll know when she finally hits. Jim and Nona just finished lugging 2 truck loads of debris to the landfill while I watched the girls (Taryn is only 4 months old). We took both of ours and my neighbor's from the other side. Her husband died Thanksgiving day & she's 83. All of her kids are up north. She had 6 can full. Of course, none of our other neighbors got rid of their debris, so it'll probably end up going through our windows.

Mike, glad to know you're still there. I doubt you'll get more than some tropical force winds in your area, but as wishy washy as this one is, who can tell.

Cindy R

Cecil, I like that cam. Here's another site that shows FL counties on the map. Just click on Local Forecast Path under the Storm Tracker.
http://www.wesh.com/index.html

Our hearts go out to all of you in FL or on your way out. With any luck this on will be nothing more than an evac headache.

Thanks for the link, Cindy. Good luck everyone, we are still praying for you all.

Hey Cindy! I was ready to spray paint my pile of debris yellow, and then tell my neighbors that if any yellow branches were in their houses, I'd pay for it! Thankfully, Dani and Scott took care of that! We're on a cul-de-sac, and we all kind of look after each other - those old and alone included.

Cynde - that's my favorite link for keeping informed.

Gary, I truely wish this could be evac headache!

OK kids in FL. Hang in there, thanks for all the good links and remember, there are a lot of people thinking of you!!

Our thoughts are with all you in Florida!!!

Updates on Hurricane Frances in my back yard can be seen at:

Hurrican Frances as Woody sees it

I should have updates at least a couple of times a day. Pictures if there is anything worth seeing.

My sister-in-law has 2 retail stores in the Stuart FL area. Looks like they are getting the direct hit. Luckily she's in Michigan right now tending to her other stores.

I always enjoy looking at people's grocery cart just before a big snow storm is scheduled to hit here in NJ. I don't know why everyone seems to be buying toilet paper. No joke! They even interview people on the TV who mention they are buying "milk, bread & toilet paper". I cannot explain this odd behavior.

Sue,

My theory is that you always get in line behind someone who has women living in their house. Women go through toilet paper really fast. I never knew why but when I was married we used 5 rolls of toilet paper a week.

I have been divorced for 13 years now and I have moved 3 times but I am still on the same roll of toilet paper.

I just buy bread, milk, water, spam and bleach because Cynde told me to.

Dr. Doo

Dr. Doo, Woody, Gail, Cindy and all others in FlA. Hope you all be safe during the passage of Frances. You all are in my thoughts and sending good vibes in your direction (Hope that Frances is not sending them in another direction, though)

Hi Cynde...we are in Waycross GA. My parents are in Brunswick, Ga and Eva's are in Fernandina Beach, FL (north of JAX). We pretty much have to have a direct hit of a fast moving storm between Flagler Beach and Brunswick GA to get to Waycross. We are 60 miles inland.
We usually end up with all of them and some more piling into our house. We had reservations for 12 this time, but alas Frances stalled south and so the party is off. I had the cooker ready to go, tubs of beer,hot tub was bubbling, pool table dusted off.....now no party....rats.
Looks like the most we will get is a lot of rain and some strong winds from the NE. Still that can drop some of the big pine trees so I have my truck and boat parked on the SW side of the biggest tree in the yard.

Still have power where we are - but as we're calling around to friends, relatives and coworkers, more and more are out. It probably won't be long now. Due to the storm moving soooooo slow, we anticipate a very long boring day of tropical winds. (Or else, Charley already blew down the weaker trees so there aren't any left to go now!)

Morning Gail, we haven't lost power yet either. Jim made a seafood stew last night & we shared it with the neighbors. Managed to get over and back in between showers.

Right now we're getting sustained winds @ 30mph and gusts of 55 -moderate rain. Looks like this one will last a while. Since we're all on the north side, I expect we'll get hammered some more, but at least it's dropped to a cat-1. Still, I don't think we'll see anything like the east coast got.

Sue, I'd be interested to hear about the damage in Stuart. My husband Michael is due to arrive there November 1 to go to Chapman's School for 6 weeks...he is staying at a hotel that is on the water...we keep wondering if it will still be there...if not, hope we can get our money back! Yikes! What kind of stores does she own?

Wally, hey, we'll come out and party with you! It never rains in California, so it would be nice to see what wind and gale force rain looks like (wait, I saw that in Puerto Rico a year ago when the closed the airport right after we landed coming home from Bon!)

Gail, Cindy, I've got my fingers crossed! I've been glued to the weather channel, CNN and FOX news watching on pins and needles...oh, and Wally, you were right...there will be a few less boats after this...

I called our news editors in Jacksonville this morning, and I guess they are getting pounded by rain, and some wind. The power has been going on and off intermittently...Barbara said she had to grind the coffee beans with one of those porcelin (sp) bowls with the little smasher thing...they have the windows on the windward side of the house boarded up and are just waiting...they live on the St. John's river, and she said there were waves and the water was really churned up...

Just looked at the Jacksonville downtown cam...this looks weird...

Wow, check out this cam...I dont' know where Vilano Beach is, but these waves are huge and amazing...
http://www.jacksonville.com/webcams/vilanobeach.shtml

Cindy is probably without power, as she is right in the area that Frances is passing now. We are one of the few areas left WITH power so far, and I attribute it to my guess that any trees that could have fallen and taken out the power lines went down with Charley. We have a few stray branches down, but so far nothing a little raking won't take care of. A couple of panels on the pool enclosure have blown out, but very minor. They say we still have another 4 hours of this rain and gusts, but we're feeling incredibly fortunate right now.

Nope, we just shut the computer off during the worst of it. Can't believe it. 3pm, we still have power, no damage and the eye is just starting to pass over us. Silence, it's the best thing I've (not) heard since midnight. Everyone says a tornado sounds like a train - well, a hurricane sounds like a jet plane, flying low over your house constantly. Maybe an hour before round 2 starts and we pick up the back side. This drop in pressure has given me a wicked headache, or maybe it's just the relentless noise.

I've already started praying that Ivan doesn't swing this way. We're supposed to fly to Denver on 9/15.

Hang in there everyone, another 12-24 hours and it'll be over.
Cindy R

OK, time for our Floridians to check in...Gail??? Cindy??? Mikey??? Christine???? I got an email from our editors in Jacksonville, and they have been without power since yesterday afternoon. Ted has a battery for his laptop, so he's been able to update us. They live on the St. John's river, and apperantly half of their back yard and dock are underwater...

Oh, Mikey, that video you posted above of the storm is absolutely amazing...

Dr. Doo...

Thanks for sharing the video. Enquiring minds of those that live far away from hurricanes want to know and see....I've showed it to several family members. I can only imagine the deafening noise as Gail or Cindy described.

Hope everyone is safe with little damage to clean.

Linda, isn't the video amazing? I'ts hard to imagine. Just had a chat with the doc, and he is holding up. Guess some of his roof tiles blew off and it's raining a LOT, so during the break from rain he's on the roof putting them back on so he doesn't get the inside of his house flooded! Hang in there Dr. Doo!

Today is a little less severe but this storm just lingers and won't move away fast enough. I put some new pics and video up on the web site.

Dr. Doo's Hurricane Frances updates

I think we're done with the rain now, though Gail and Mike may still get some. some very strong rain bands last night and this morning as we caught the backside.

I guess we're among the few to still have power and we didn't have any damage. Hope everyone else is ok.

Thanks for all the well wishes everyone. I live in the Dania/Hollywood area which is about 75 miles south of where the center of Frances made landfall.
Most people near me lost power on Saturday and part of Sunday, but thanks to everyone at Florida Power and Light,it's mostly been restored.
There's a lot of downed trees, downed road signs and minor structural damage. I think that everyone did their best to prepare and kept a good attitude as you can see by this picture!



Here's some pictures taken during and after the storm:







I went to Hollywood Beach this morning. It was one of the rare times that I go to the beach and don't dive! The boardwalk usually consists of a wide blacktop, but now it's completely covered with sand, and, as you can see from the picture of the ocean, diving wouldn't have been such a good idea!





Let's all hope and pray that Frances fizzles out soon, and the same goes for Ivan!

Don't know what happened. Here's the images I wanted to post:

Robyn, did you get any errors while uploading?

yes, each time it said 'web site not responding...busy or broken server'

Strange, I could post a picture in the test area... If you want to, send me the pic's and I'll post them for you.

Thanks Martin, will do.

Robyn, you'll have to give the comments...

Robyn, even being as far away as you were from the peak of the storm your pics just go to show how far reaching the bands are and how powerful they can be. Glad you are OK. The sand on the walk reminds me of when A1A in Fort Lauderdale used to get completely covered in sand during the big blows...just like a blizzard, only with sand, instead.

Dr. Doo....Wow! Great footage and sounds! Glad to see you only had minor roof damage and I hope the swamp recedes soon, too. Keep that bug spray handy for the days to come....ouch! Our place in Lauderdale had tile roofing...I guess it holds up longer in sustained winds due to the sheer weight of it.

Hope all is well with everyone in Florida. Carole

Wow is all I can say...nice footage Doc! Hope the storms head out to sea again...best wishes for you all down there in Florida!

Mike, nice footage and video...now, aren't you glad you had your gardeners cut the grass on Friday, so it would be nice and clean as a swamp???

Cindy and Robyn, glad you faired OK. Nice...well, not nice, but good pictures Robyn.

Hey Martini, I had that error a couple weeks ago when I was trying to post some pics. I emailed them to Mary, and she had problems too...wonder if it is a software glitch...Mary had problems about a week later as well..."Page not found" error...

I'm just getting on today, because we're been busy doing "stuff". We've been very fortunate. We only lost power for 1 hour last night, and have very little damage. We didn't even need to fire up the chain saw. The branches that fell were small enought for the rip saw or lopers to make them manageable for dragging to the curb. We just came in from dragging the rest of the little stuff to the curb. John's brother in Deltona had severe roof damage, and couldn't get tarps or wood up there, so drove here to get some that John bought 'just in case'. That's a 45 minute drive for supplies that they couldn't find in their area. We were just glad to have supplies to help. Lots more rain today that nobody needed.

I heard from Bankerchick on Saturday, and she was doing good, so I hope she's still hanging in there.

I couldn't view Mike's video, but everyone that we know over in Tampa was without power for at least 24 hours, so they had their share of misery too! Hopefully we're done now. Ivan can go visit some other state, because he sure isn't welcome here!

The rain on the forward edge of Frances is just coming into my area. We expect rain with winds of 35 miles per hour for the next couple days. I just talked with my brother near Clearwater FL and the rains just stopped there tonight.

Robyn,

Grat pics. Thanks for sharing them.

John,

get ready for a long storm. It is moving 3 times faster than when it came across Florida but this is a big one that will last a while.

Dr. Doo

Cynde, I don't know, maybe Jake knows... I do know I received them in a BMP format, and to big to post. Robyn, how big and what format were they when you posted??

That's a new error for me. Never seen it. Although, we are looking at adding some servers in the coming months, and perhaps a server upgrade would alleviate the problem.

Jake

Cynde & Dr Doo,

A little clarification for the following item....

2. Bleach. (No, I don't know what the bleach is for. NOBODY knows what the bleach is for, but it's traditional, so GET some!)

I grew up on the St Johns River in Florida and weathered out several hurricanes. My mom told me bleach was/is supposed to be used as a sanitizer to kill "yucky" stuff after you have no clean water. Boy isn't that a scientific explanation :-)

Yanagirl

Yanagirl,

That is what everyone says but the problem is that without scietific testing it is impossible to tell how much bleach to add to water to make it safe. There are lots of formulas out there that are supposed to be "rule of thumb" guidelines but it can depend on what organism are present in the water and how concentrated they are. Some of the formulas that are thrown about can poison you from too much bleach. boiling water is safer. That is why I always have my propane grill.

Here's a pretty good article on treatment of possibly contaminated water...keep that bleach Mikey
Tips for Safe Drinking Water

Thanks again Martin for posting the pictures. I've never had a problem before, in fact, I successfully posted a number of pics from my recent Bonaire trip under the 'Photography and Videography' topic week.
I resize my pics in Adobe Photoshop Elements to about 400 pixels in maximum width, and I save them as jpegs.
I'll try to post one now just to see what happens. Take care, and watch out for Ivan you guys. I can't believe you're under a hurricane watch! Robyn

I think one of the cable channels (Weather?) was saying to add six eyedropper drops of bleach to one gallon of water in order to make it OK to drink/consume. This is in case you are unable to do the boiling routine. Carole

Cynde, Dr Doo, & Carole,
Thanks for the update on the bleach in the water info :-)
Yanagirl

Yana, I spent a week in the hospital from a gastrointestinal infection from contaminated water on a camping trip...we boiled and added tablets, and I still got sick...would not wish that on anyone!

Cynde,

Did you wash your hands with the treated water? That is one mistake many people make. They treat their drinking water but then they wash their hands and food with untreated water and get infrections from that when they handle the food.

Mike, now that I think about it, no. We camped by a stream and bathed in that, etc. and I'm definitely sure that we didn't wash our hands with the boiled water...did brush our teeth with the treated water though...and wash the dishes, etc...maybe that could have been it. It was NOT a fun week in the hospital bleeding internally!