Irma was upgraded to a Cat 5 storm this afternoon.
Those folks on the islands in the Caribbean are in for a royal hosing. Again. Won't be pretty. Won't be pretty for MONTHS down there.
My wife has family that lives near Geneva, FL. Her cousin's house is 470 feet from the edge of what's called Jordan Slough which is part of the St. John's River.
This cousin's two children (1 with wife + 3 kids) and his in-laws live CLOSER to the river. The whole area is within the "500-year flood" zone.
They tend to stay somewhat prepared - but this storm is different. Today's upgrade has shifted their line of thinking.
As of texts from earlier today, they're still not sure what they're going to do. He says that he doubts he'll be able to get is inlaws to move. They're life-long Floridians from that area of the state, old, decrepit (he's drunk most of the time, apparently). If the youngers leave - they're essentially leaving the elders to die IF there's a direct hit. The flooding will also not be pretty.
Personally, I've urged them all to bug-out. Head north. Deal with the crap when they can get back.
We also have family in the Tampa area. Who knows how it'll affect that part of the state. Hopefully if it gets bad there, she + young son will bug out. He's a LEO - so he won't be able to accompany - unfortunately.
I'm quite glad that I live in hurricane-free Indiana.
Those folks on the islands in the Caribbean are in for a royal hosing. Again. Won't be pretty. Won't be pretty for MONTHS down there.
My wife has family that lives near Geneva, FL. Her cousin's house is 470 feet from the edge of what's called Jordan Slough which is part of the St. John's River.
This cousin's two children (1 with wife + 3 kids) and his in-laws live CLOSER to the river. The whole area is within the "500-year flood" zone.
They tend to stay somewhat prepared - but this storm is different. Today's upgrade has shifted their line of thinking.
As of texts from earlier today, they're still not sure what they're going to do. He says that he doubts he'll be able to get is inlaws to move. They're life-long Floridians from that area of the state, old, decrepit (he's drunk most of the time, apparently). If the youngers leave - they're essentially leaving the elders to die IF there's a direct hit. The flooding will also not be pretty.
Personally, I've urged them all to bug-out. Head north. Deal with the crap when they can get back.
We also have family in the Tampa area. Who knows how it'll affect that part of the state. Hopefully if it gets bad there, she + young son will bug out. He's a LEO - so he won't be able to accompany - unfortunately.
I'm quite glad that I live in hurricane-free Indiana.