Hurricane Irma headed this way....

[Baz]

Thanks for all the concern and well wishes. Greatly appreciated!

GOOD LUCK to my fellow Floridians and their families - hang in there and be safe!

At this point, it's still unclear exactly what path Irma will take.

Best guesses have it either moving north through the middle of the state or just off the east coast with some inland jabs as it moves northward.

This would happen late Sunday through Monday.

The biggest issue I see here locally is availability of gasoline. Some gas stations are completely out and other places have very long lines of those trying to get some.

I am hoping things might improve as we get closer to the weekend but regardless I filled up all my gas containers earlier this week and now have 22 gallons of non-ethanol as a reserve.

I would like to have a full tank in my truck as well.

I have no plans to evacuate. As powerful as Irma is, the worst that could happen is damage to my property. And I want to be here to mitigate what I can. Been there done. Residents who have families are in a different situation than I am so I understand how they may choose to evacuate. For me it just doesn't make sense.

I have a nice generator and can run a window AC unit (or two if needed) plus my fridge, washer, and microwave, phone charger, etc. etc.

My Mom lives here over on the mainland and I am going over there today to help get her place secured.

I have four 4-legged children and they will be better off here as well.

My gas reserves......

[cashflyer]

Well... I just contacted the governors office and the office of the SC Emergency Management Division. I let them know that I will make my two helicopters available with pilots if needed.

Next, I will be trying to get in touch with some airport managers to let them know I have room for (6) airplanes on my property. At least a few people will be able to take their planes inland.

[Jims5543]

Originally Posted by cashflyer

Well... I just contacted the governors office and the office of the SC Emergency Management Division. I let them know that I will make my two helicopters available with pilots if needed.

Next, I will be trying to get in touch with some airport managers to let them know I have room for (6) airplanes on my property. At least a few people will be able to take their planes inland.

That is really generous of you and your company to offer that. The storage offer is also really thoughtful. I award you 2 internets.

This guy did not get the memo.

[onewhippedpuppy]

As a Delta frequent flier, that made me proud. Pretty impressive that they turned that plane in 40 min too. Winds up to 35 MPH at that time, just a windy day in the Midwest.

[Evans, Marv]

Man, I wish everybody there the most of luck. It looks like there may be another one behind this one. That would suck big time.

[philip j]

Storm is going past us now about 75 mile off shore of Sosua DR. Luckily were missing the brunt of the storm.

[CurtEgerer]

I've got a daughter in Kissimmee who works at Disney. First serious hurricane for her. I told her if Disney pulls the plug Sat or Sun, pretty good indication that Orlando is going to get hammered Monday morning and maybe time to get in the car and head northwest.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by cashflyer

Well... I just contacted the governors office and the office of the SC Emergency Management Division. I let them know that I will make my two helicopters available with pilots if needed.

Next, I will be trying to get in touch with some airport managers to let them know I have room for (6) airplanes on my property. At least a few people will be able to take their planes inland.

Very cool, well done!

[CurtEgerer]

Latest prediction for early Monday AM:

[Baz]

Hope for the best....prepare for the worst.

I'll be bracing up my fencing tomorrow morning and securing any loose items on my property.

At some point....there's only so much one can do...

[wdfifteen]

Holy Smokes Baz! It looks like you are right in the cross hairs. Be safe.

[Geary]

Wishing the best for you and yours, Baz ..

One big concern in my mind during any storm of this magnitude would be nuclear power plants:

"The last time a major hurricane hit the Turkey Point plant, the nuclear reactors along southern Biscayne Bay were left unscathed. And Turkey Point weathered a Category 5 strike from Hurricane Andrew in 1992.
When the eye of Andrew passed over Turkey Point, some facilities around the reactor buildings took a beating. Ultimately, the state’s oldest nuclear plant suffered $90 million in damage, including to systems that were supposed to be hurricane-proof.
One of the 400-foot smokestacks for the old oil-burning power plant was cracked in half, even though it was rated to survive 235-mph winds. Andrew blew down all but six of the 41 warning sirens within 10 miles of the plant. The storm left the plant running on backup generators for more than a week to cool the shut-down reactor. A main access road was blocked by debris.
“It handled Andrew as it was designed to,” Robbins said. “It’s one of the safest and most robust structures in the state, if not the country.”

2 Florida nuclear plants likely to shut down if Irma continues path - - att.net
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[astrochex]

I'm hoping she goes more easterly.

[Brillo]

Stay safe Baz and everyone in Irma's path!

[WPOZZZ]

Originally Posted by CurtEgerer

I've got a daughter in Kissimmee who works at Disney. First serious hurricane for her. I told her if Disney pulls the plug Sat or Sun, pretty good indication that Orlando is going to get hammered Monday morning and maybe time to get in the car and head northwest.

My sister has a corporate gig on Thursday. Taking my mom and niece to Disney, Epcot... She said it hasn't been called off yet.

[Rtrorkt]

Baz, I don't live in FL and should not be giving advice. But if you are not at least 15-20 feet above high tide I'd get out if I were you. Want you safe. Storm surge/high tide plus wind driven water is unforgiving. Stay safe, stay well

[CurtEgerer]

My daughter said they have begun some preliminary emergency procedures (as would be expected) and are waiting just like everybody else. Hopefully the storm veers east, away from the coast.

Also, Atlanta Motor Speedway has opened their infield for RVers seeking refuge. No charge and full access to hot showers, electricity, etc. Pretty cool.

AMS Opens Camping Facilities For Hurricane Irma Evacuees | News Archive | Media | Atlanta Motor Speedway

[astrochex]

My neighbors on one side, native Floridians, are staying. Good enough for me and the beasts. Wife and son still driving to Orlando tomorrow.

[motion]

My son and his family, who live in Fort Lauderdale, left this morning for the mountains of North Carolina.

Stay safe, everyone!

[JeremyD]

My daughter was in Sint Marteen and had the eye go directly over her - she was luckily in a building designed to withstand a CAT 5 storm - it did...