Hard RAIN gonna fall... :)

[Asylum Steve]

Hey Gang,

If you've been following the US national weather at all in the last few days, you know Florida, and much of the Southeast is in the midst of getting hit with the 1-2 punch of Hurricanes Bonnie and Charley.

Bonnie just passed through the Gulf of Mejico and north over the Florida panhandle, and has been downgraded to a Tropical Storm.

Charley is what has everyone in these-here-parts watching and waiting...

It's making its way up the western Florida coast, and looks now like it will hang a reggie and drag it's wet, muddy, windy feet right over much of Central Florida, which, for those of you that have been keeping score, is where I and my family live.

Anyway, being a long time South Florida resident, I tend to be rather unaffected by the "Chicken Little" mentality that has everyone running around stocking up with sx months of supplies for their homes. That's not to say I haven't been doing things to prepare.

Hey, why just this morning I made sure my pc's battery backup was working properly, so I can stay online even if the power goes off... ;)

So, I just wanted to tell all the people affected by these storms to be safe, and we'll see you on the other side...

BTW, if I don't make it, it was nice gnawing all of you (RIMSHOT PLEASE!)...

[shutterman]

Steve, be safe, stay dry!

[Spike]

and the storms. Good luck, stay safe! Take photos, but prudently.

Spike

[Liz]

Hi Steve -

I hope you will not be affected. My sister, niece and grand nephew are in Port Richey. About an hour ago, Charley began heading for Fort Meyers and upgraded to a Category 4. Just now they said Charley is once again heading toward Tampa.

Where exactly do you live? I'm worried about my niece and her baby because my sister HAD to go to work as a nurse in a nursing home.

I'll include you in my prayers - and everyone in the affected area.

Liz

[Liz]

Keep us updated.......

Liz

Hi Steve -

I hope you will not be affected. My sister, niece and grand nephew are in Port Richey. About an hour ago, Charley began heading for Fort Meyers and upgraded to a Category 4. Just now they said Charley is once again heading toward Tampa.

Where exactly do you live? I'm worried about my niece and her baby because my sister HAD to go to work as a nurse in a nursing home.

I'll include you in my prayers - and everyone in the affected area.

Liz

[natatbeach]

gnawing all of you (RIMSHOT PLEASE!)...

you took a bite and we didn't even know it.... stay safe and be careful your life ain't worth taking the shot...now get some supplies...

[Asylum Steve]

Steve, be safe, stay dry!

SM, had to go out into the garden to move a few plants, and it's already pouring. Got drenched, so I started singing...

Seriously, we're prepeared. From everything I've seen on the news, it looks like we're only in for a good drenching...

BTW, thanks Liz, Spike and Nat. We live about 45 minutes due north of Orlando, smack in the middle of the state. These things tend to weaken as they travel over land, so like I said, hopefully it will just be heavy rain...

[Liz]

20 miles north of Ft. Meyers - the eye is supposedly in Ft. Meyers.

Please keep us updated Steve. Sounds like you're the only Floridian online here.

Liz

[Todd Patten]

Is this one of you guys?

http://apnews.myway.com/image/200408...ocid=D84EHHT80

[Liz]

We can rule out Steve!

Really cool photo!

Liz

[Sebastian]

We can rule out Steve!

Really cool photo!

Liz

Don't be so sure, I've seen him wear his hair like that...

Good luck Steve.

[Lara]

Got my fingers crossed for ya Steve. Two of my grandkids are in North Port. So I have concerns for them as well.

Stay safe!

[Peter_AUS]

Well Steve,

Hope you and everyone else is safe, these weather patterns around the world are terrible. You getting all the rain we are missing out on.

Looking forward to seeing some pics etc and making sure you are OK.

[Liz]

Hey Steve - how 'ya doin? We're waiting for an update. I think you said you charged the battery.....so keep in touch!

I haven't heard from my family, but they're not on the internet. I'm assuming they're ok since they're above Tampa.

Liz

[Asylum Steve]

Hi Liz,

The heavy rain I mentioned earlier was very premature. It calmed down completely, and is only now (9:45pm EST) starting to pick up a bit.

They don't expect the eye to go through Central Florida for another hour or so, but it still looks like the worst stuff will hit east of here...

-Steve

Hey Steve - how 'ya doin? We're waiting for an update. I think you said you charged the battery.....so keep in touch!

I haven't heard from my family, but they're not on the internet. I'm assuming they're ok since they're above Tampa.

Liz

[Peter_AUS]

Over 8 hrs since Steve last posted. 1 Billion $'s damage and rising, several thousands of people evacuated and still no word.

Hope everything is OK.

[Liz]

We're still thinking about you - and all the other people who are affected by Charlie.

I haven't heard from my family - I'm sure the power is out. I can't figure out how to check individual towns.

Hope all is ok, and you had no damage.

Liz

[Lara]

I'm hoping our Steve is safe and has been spared any damage.
I haven't heard from my grandkids either Liz. They are just north of Port Charlotte. What town is your family in?

[Lara]

Found out the kids are okay, thank goodness. They were on the fringe of the storm with minimal damage. 10 miles south was a different story.

[Asylum Steve]

Well, I can only say we were very lucky last night, as the rain and wind we got from Charley was no worse than a typical thunderstorm. Maybe even less...

Sorry, no pics of mass destruction for you severe weather fans. Maybe next time...

Thanks everyone for thinking of me!

[Lara]

Relieved to know all is well with you Steve. The storm is headed up this way, but the most we are supposed to get is lots of rain, and a little wind.

The people just 10 miles from the grandkids weren't so fortunate. There is so much destruction and loss of life. I can't begin to know, and hope I never have to experience anything like it.

We must have other Floridians on PR. Hope they are okay too!

[Liz]

I just returned home after helping a friend get ready to serve at a children's summer camp since Saturday. My family finally called Saturday afternoon. They are fine. Thank God for that - and for Steve and Lara's family's safety.

Have a good week everyone.

Liz

[Lara]

It's great to know your family is fine Liz! I've been checking often to hear the news from you. I'm so glad it's good news.

[paulnj]

My GF's grandmother lives in CAPE CORAL....

her house fared well. but she lost power and OUT GOING phone service. Lucky for her a relative came over and TOOK HER OUT OF HER HOME due to the temp being 92 inside!

Had Michelle not called her cousin 30 miles away, that stubborn 82 year old woman would have cooked! Cape coral got hit pretty bad with 2 tornados also. lucky for her she lives in the HUGE house section with trees and homes to cut down on the wind.

The worst party of that storm is the fact that SANIBEL/CAPTIVA got hit VERY HARD. Sanibel is were DING DARLING NWR is. DING DARLING is by one of the most important NWR's for many PHOTOGs and BIRDS alike.

Homes can be rebuilt, NATURE takes YEARS to recover, if at all

[Lara]

Thankfully Michelle called her cousin, Paul. When things like this happen the elderly are often so confused and dazed, they don't know what to do. Glad to hear she is okay.

It's really a shame about Ding Darling. You're right about nature taking years to recover. But it will.
Lives lost can never be recovered.