What about police advertising that they won't respond to calls? Any looting yet?

One of those tower cranes in Miami collapsed.

Starting to be a lot of reports of tornadoes in the area.

they're meteorologists and/or local news reporters. it's what they do. it's how you make a name for yourself in the biz. if you are maimed or die, you get maimed or die. they know the risk. free will.

bb and other FL peeps hunkered down and waiting, how are you passing the time? It seems like it would be exhausting to constantly stay on top of everything. Do you take breaks to read a book or watch a movie or something?

We are pretty much glued to the TV. We've prepared about as much as we can. GF is cooking so we'll have food for a while. We can see out into the bay so we can watch it come in.

They haven't officially changed the forecast, but it sure looks like it is going due north which will take it further east than earlier predictions. One of the local guys is saying it is getting torn apart more than they expected.

Might as well go report from Cudjoe Key amirite?

watching Swansea/Newcastle at the moment. then q'ing up NFL games and the Walker Cup. going to ride the TV as long as power is available.

i'm in a very nice house (the neighborhood has 3 Bucs living in it) w/ 9 other ppl. things are pretty chill really.

They just announced that they will not be letting anyone into the county for a considerable amount of time after the storm passes.

My sister is in New Port Richey, she said she tried getting out, but traffic made it next to impossible. Is that area supposed to get hit hard?

My concern about Tampa is from what I've seen of the area, lots of the housing stock is pretty ramshackle. No idea what building code is there. I can't see alot of those houses withstanding much in the way of intense wind, let alone storm surge.

If that damaged my **** I'd be suing for everything they've got.

Less than 1 day work to dismantle ffs.

I read they said it could take up to a week to dismantle a 30,000 lb crane, and that they are built to sustain winds up to 130mph.

5 tonne crane 1 day, 16 tonne 2 days.

The wind has definitely picked up and the water is still receding.

There are several boats anchored out there. I can't imagine they will stay. I'm guessing we'll see them tomorrow up on land.

I am pretty sure you need a crane to dismantle a crane, so that probably takes preparation. It sounds like the prep work needed wasn't long enough, but yeah **** is going to be ****ed if they start collapsing and falling off buildings.

News had phone interviews with people who didn't evacuate, while living in highrises right next to cranes. They are, um, worried now.

This is so hard to say. It "looks" like it might go east a little now, but who knows. I really haven't heard much news from up there. I'd say she should find the safest place she can. They will not refuse anyone at a shelter.

I like how they had to report for people to not shoot Irma. Dumb people with guns. Florida has enough problems atm.

Is this the first time you have seen severe weather reports?

Not much change since 11 AM update. Still looks like the eye may cross over land south of Naples and track more eastward than they were saying last night. Doesn't look like it weakened much in the last few hours. (Pressure up to 933 MB from 922 MB only difference I can see. That still seems very low based on numbers they showed earlier for other hurricanes.)


LOCATION...25.2N 81.6W ABOUT 65 MI...105 KM SSE OF NAPLES FLORIDA MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...130 MPH...215 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT...N OR 350 DEGREES AT 9 MPH...15 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...933 MB...27.55 INCHES

This is the view from the front door. It is really protected from the wind. My plan is to go out there later and try to get some video with my GoPro.

I'm considering getting a box of wine and finding a safe outdoor area to observe the storm, there's a really massive concrete overpass not far from me gotta double check but up here in Tallahassee the winds aren't likely to get over 70mph and at those speeds think it can be done safely. Lot's of offers from friends to stay with in safe structures but this storm and all the hoopla makes me want to experience it in a more intimate way.

*This is more of a thought experiment along the lines of:"if I had no options and had to experience these weather conditions outdoors where would I go?"

Think you would need a space to crawl into that wouldn't flood and be protected from flying debris, any other ideas besides overpasses? I'm thinking dumpsters, parking garages, suitable sewer systems with elevated platforms...