So there's a possibly major hurricane headed my way...

CooperationIsKey

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It's my first actual hurricane and I'm anxious as hell. Doesn't help that my roommate is refusing to take the forecast very seriously, which is bizarre since she's lived in Florida her entire life (she's in her 60s) and has weathered a few big storms in that time.

Currently trying to calm down by playing Core Keeper. I did clean my room this AM though which is something. Nervous energy, away!

sunny

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Omg :( I have no advice since I have never experienced a hurricane but I hope you’re ok! Stay safe :)

currently: new novel who dis?

q u e s t i n g :
beanie doll! thank u cookie

Spider

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Low, keep your head, keep your head low...
.......................................Oh, you gotta keep your head low...

I think its just florida culture. I've lived here my entire life and I'm just hoping for two paid days off. As long as you have water and canned food (plus battery packs for your phone devices) it's mostly okay since the buildings here are made for hurricanes.

Just don't go outside, hunker down, and you'll be okay

...If you wanna keep your head

Mr. Spider wants M̷̖̥͓̋͆́̚o̶̟͛̅r̴̨͍͔̦̰͙̈́e̵̝͑̆͐

Alorrena

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@CooperationIsKey: as someone who didn't grow up here, married to someone who did, i understand your anxiety and frustration. I felt that way myself when i went through my first couple hurricanes. But i quickly learned that while everyone panic buys the water and panic buys everything else, the biggest issue is probably the uncertainty of what's actually going to happen. I always get really anxious about how my car is going to handle the storm, because we don't have a garage that we can park it in. I think you're justified in being worried, but also as someone who's lived in florida her whole life, she's justified in not being too worried. My husband and i aren't too concerned right now, but we're keeping an eye on the storm to see how it's developing and where it's predicted to go. That cone of uncertainty is really no joke because it really could go anywhere within that cone. Bottom line, the best way i'd handle your anxiety is to do what you feel you need to do to be prepared. If that's planning a "hurricane party that could turn into the hurricane didn't hit us party," then so be it. Other wise what spider said is pretty good advice.

Also depending on where you are in florida will also determine just how anxious you really need to be, and also know that just because the broadcast today says it could hit your area, doesn't mean that it will say that tomorrow. The closer the storm is, the better the meteorologists are at predicting where it's going. For example, tuesday and wednesday are when i'm going to really be watching the forecasts because that's when it's currently estimated to hit florida. Yesterday it said it would be Wednesday, but it's a slow moving storm.

Wildfire

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@CooperationIsKey: Oh, I remember those first couple of hurricanes!! XD Your reaction is 100% normal and to be expected. My house was SPOTLESS the first couple of hurricanes I experienced because I too was just trying to work off some nervous energy. Then there were times when I tried to "outrun" or "outsmart" the storm by going to NC. Of course, the storm skipped what was expected to be a direct hit on the Tampa Bay area and went... yep... to NC!! :3 XD

Seriously? I understand your anxiety about this, but a LOT can change between now (the predictions) and when this storm gets close enough to potentially do something (the reality). All we can really do right now is watch the storm and do some basic preparations - canned food, some water put aside, have some flashlights and batteries around, and to secure potential projectiles around the yard. Most of the forecast maps have the storm headed a bit north of us in the Tampa Bay area right now ... which means more water than wind. It will probably be a fantastic rain storm for a couple of days, get hot, soggy and we'll have to deal with random bits of already rotted or broken things falling out of trees, but probably not much more than that unless it really intensifies to a 4 or a 5. /shrug/

Remember - don't walk through puddles you can't clearly see through (certain wildlife has been known to "wander" XD), and keep in mind that yes, definitely watch the weather and keep an eye on the forecasts, take the warnings seriously, etc., but also don't buy in to the storm fearmongering 100%... I have been through numerous storms where the "newspeople" find the ONE puddle, or the ONE tree that fell down (preferably in to something) and spin it like the entire state looks like that one carefully crafted scene. But don't try to go kayaking or something either. Just be cautious and aware. :3

Also, you're not alone, dealing with this storm either - there are a number of folks here on Voltra who are dealing with this right now:
... I'm in Tampa Bay area... pretty close to you, actually, and currently also pretty much in the middle of this projected path.
... @spider: is here... somewhere (if you told me where exactly, I forgot. Oops)
... @Alorrena: appears to be here (right?)
... @Aisukohi: is in Florida
... @TotalAnimeFan: is a native Floridian (although she's bailed on us since ;) )
... and a couple other people from Voltra are from Florida too if I remember correctly :3

Vent. Rant. Rage. Spew. Ask questions. We get it. :3

I'll do some basic storm prep tomorrow/Tuesday - I'll hard boil some eggs, make a pasta salad, maybe make a couple other things along those lines (things that are easy to put in a cooler and eat if electricity goes out (without having to open the fridge) - the guys will eat it whether or not we have a hurricane)... and I'll clean up random things from around the yard (because I've been bad about that and the yard is a mess ATM). Beyond that, we won't bother with hurricane shutters or anything else, really, unless the storm is at least a 3 and a forecast direct hit... and even then, we'll be watching the path and adjusting as need be. :3

Totalanimefan

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Just make sure you are prepared but you don’t have to stress. How close are you to the water?
Do you have what you need if the power were to go out? 1 week of meds, water for 2 people for 5-7 days, food (I recommend buying extra hurricane snacks), batteries and candles for when the power is out.

Alorrena

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@Wildfire: Yeah, i'm in the sandford/deltona area. I still worry more about my car than myself lol

I just checked the forecast and it looks like it has sped up so it will probably hit florida around tuesday night. We're hoping that it won't be too bad and the power won't be affected. My mother in law said she can't do cold showers and no air. The air comment amused me since the house has consistently been at 78 all summer. Tyi and i will be fine without ac since our office gets well over 78 at night because we have big computers and monitors that are basically like space heaters, but i'm more concerned about work since i work from home. I'm hoping it ends up ok without power or internet loss for us, or even if either go, i hope they get fixed by Thursday or Friday.

CooperationIsKey

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Thanks everyone, I appreciate the words of wisdom and calm. I've been so terrified today I haven't been able to do anything but worry or nap. My roommate has been evacuating her horse and the others she takes care of further inland so they'll be safe from potential flooding. We could end up heading there ourselves with the dog and cockatiel (and possibly my isopods; they're weird little land crustaceans but I don't want them to die either!) to hunker down in a barn 'apartment' if the flooding does happen.

I'm still scared. Roomie is worried too, and refusing the possibility of a shelter even though I deliberately brought up there are pet-friendly ones and we have a crate the dog can fit in. Wouldn't be comfortable but he'd be okay. She's reluctant to leave her home, and I get that; she's lived here her entire adult life, bought the place when she was in her early 20s and has always been here. But I'm scared to death of flooding risk, I must be honest. The storm itself doesn't scare me that much; I grew up in tornado alley and have experienced some nasty ones, though fortunately no tornadoes. But flooding terrifies me.

We do have water--we both have over a case each--and there's lots of canned foods. Although I'm unsure if we have a non-powered can opener.

We have candles, I don't know about flashlights beyond our phones. I do have my backup phone charger thingy fully charged as backup.

I'm just very very scared of being in a mandatory evacuation zone (Zone A, Hillsborough). I just want to take the animals and go somewhere safe until it's over. I don't want to risk having to climb up on the freaking roof during a storm because the house has flooded, you know?

Totalanimefan

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@CooperationIsKey: if you are in a flood zone or under mandatory evacuation you all (and pets) need to leave. You cannot stay in the house. If the place you go is where the horses are that’s great, if it’s a pet friendly shelter that’s good too. And there is a nasty cold going around in Florida (I got it while I was there) so maybe think about bringing masks in addition to water, meds, blankets, pillow, food, something to entertain you.

Wildfire

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@CooperationIsKey:

Zone A, Hillsborough? You need to leave. Seriously.
Even in zone C / N.Pinellas, they're telling us to leave now (which, in all honesty, may or may not happen for us)

When you first posted this thread, there were too many variables about this storm that were yet to be determined - thus the advice to do some basic prep and watch the storm predictions.

As of today (Tuesday), there are still a few things that can change the effects of this storm and our experience of it, but it looks to be headed straight up Tampa Bay... which means, with our locations, you and I will be bearing the brunt of this storm.

The category 2 status expected when Ian actually hits is not a particular concern to me, but with all the water already on the ground (it's soggy!!), and him slowing, plus going up the bay... that is of concern. There will be a lot of water to contend with. Evacuate to higher ground, please.

Best of luck! Catch you on the other side!
*disappears to do some more storm prep*

Totalanimefan

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@CooperationIsKey: I’m
@Wildfire: sure
You both have seen this, but here are some more updates. I’ve had to leave for many hurricanes in my life, it sucks to have to pack your life up in like 24-hours but here we are. Water will be a big threat as you said Wildfire. Here is the newest update.
https://twitter.com/nhc_surge/status/1574729710986108935?s=46&t=SHJRJigySjtX_R3mN6awjw
Also you can follow this Twitter account
https://twitter.com/nhc_atlantic?s=21&t=SHJRJigySjtX_R3mN6awjw

Wildfire

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@Totalanimefan: Thanks. Ian shifted south a little, which is much better for us than when he wanted to come straight up Tampa Bay! ...not so good for Ft.Myers, etc., though :(

*trots off to secure some still-unsecured plants, etc., before the rain starts*

Totalanimefan

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@Wildfire: Yea not so good for that area and I have family there. ^^;
Yeah today is the last full day to get things together. Hope everything will be ok.

Wildfire

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@Totalanimefan: Yeah, I remember you mentioning that's where your family is. I hope they'll be ok. They are probably scrambling around right now, doing that essential hurricane prep.

CooperationIsKey

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Well I ended up going with my dad to the family house to be with him, my stepmom, brother, brother's girlfriend, and their pets. While we're on the line between Zone A and Zone B here, we're most likely going further inland in the morning to my aunt's house. I really hope we do because even with the changes of the storm, I'm scared witless.

My roommate refuses to leave her house, though, so she's still there with the dog and bird. I pray everything will be okay. :(

Please ping me!

Totalanimefan

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@Wildfire: yes that’s probably exactly what they are doing. I texted them this morning and have no reply yet lol
@CooperationIsKey: good just keep us updated. You might want to go to your aunt’s sooner (with everyone) rather than later if she has a house that will be safe. Updated models predict this will be a Cat 4 at landfall. Everyone takes those seriously even is natives. I’ve only been through a few of those cause most times you leave. You will be ok, just know that. If you prepare correctly whatever that looks like for your situation, you will be ok.
Also if the eye goes over you, don’t go out during that time. :) It will look peaceful but it only lasts for 10-20 mins and then you have the other half.
Actually a good thing to do in your house is fall asleep. It’s mostly dark out anyway.

Totalanimefan

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@CooperationIsKey: I’m sure you know this but there is a mandatory evacuation for zone B!
https://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/en/residents/public-safety/emergency-management/emergency-shelters

Alorrena

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@CooperationIsKey: I'm glad to hear you've moved further in land. It's important, and i really hope your roommate and the pets are going to be okay. I'm worried about you and @Wildfire: because of where you guys are. By the time it hits me it should be around a 1 or even may have slowed to just a tropical storm, so no real worries for me.

Call me Rena (Reh-nuh)! <3 married 02/02/2020
Rena's Quest

Wildfire

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@CooperationIsKey:
@Totalanimefan:
@Alorrena:

With Ian's latest shift to the south, and with the latest data, Ian is no longer that great a threat to us up here in the north Tampa Bay/Central areas. That said, it's still going to be soggy -it's getting soggier out there every moment now that the rain has started- and there's still the actual storm to get through, including the probable loss of electricity for a while (ugh). XD

I'm glad you left, Key , and found slightly higher ground - it was the smart move ... especially from zone A! But I'm with Total... you should probably go more inland and to even higher ground if you have that option available to you. :3 Good luck with the rest of the storm :3

Good luck to your family, Total. I hope they got all their preparations done! :3

Alorrena, it's actually looking like you might get more "hurricane" than we will... good luck!

-------------> The latest, county by county expectations

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Totalanimefan

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@Wildfire: thanks for updating us. I’ve been thinking about you and Key and all the other Floridians. I heard it just had sustained winds of 155!!! That’s major.

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Forums General Chit-Chat So there's a possibly major hurricane headed my way...

CooperationIsKey

sunny

Spider

Alorrena

Wildfire

Totalanimefan

Alorrena

CooperationIsKey

Totalanimefan

Wildfire

Totalanimefan

Wildfire

Totalanimefan

Wildfire

CooperationIsKey

Totalanimefan

Totalanimefan

Alorrena

Wildfire

Totalanimefan

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