I never look forward to any of these stupid storms, but I’m definitely not looking forward to this damn storm. Now predicted to hit the coast as a Cat 4. I’m smack in the middle of the state in Winter Haven, and the eye of the storm is supposed to come literally right over my house with wind gusts at 110+ mph. Worse yet, this crap will be hitting in the middle of the night, somewhere after 2am.
Yeah, I’m a bit scared to say the least.
Do your best to secure dryly your valuables and evacuate! I hope for the best for you and your family and home.
I strongly empathize with you…
I was watching Hurricane evacuationCHAOS gas lines by Jason Petramala
after viewing this made me wonder where can one go and not be stuck on a snail
paced traffic jam with no lodging as hotels are already booked…would seem best to
hunker down…
Praying for all Floridians!!
A little late to evacuate, hunker down! Wishing you well.
We had planned on buying a condo in Bradenton on the Gulf coast, where my wife’s sister and husband are. After digging into it further we have reconsidered Florida. HOA and insurance costs are escalating rapidly. State and insurance mandated inspections are further driving costs.
I had actually recommended Ashville to my wife mid-summer, and….
Madison is looking mighty fine, I just need to get a bigger snow shovel.
Good luck, Chops (and all of us here in FL). It’s projected to be only (!) a Cat 2 by the time it gets to me, and I’m also a bit nervous. Unplug all the gear (including the Ethernet cable!), cover as much of it as possible in plastic, and stay safe!
I’ve only been down here for four years, and I sometimes wonder if I made the right choice. There’s no doubt for us that our dollar still goes further here than it did in NJ, so there’s that reality. And outside of these scary events it’s generally quite pleasant - I’m hoping I’ll be able to say the same on Friday. 
Wishing you well Tony.
We were all in until my brother in law learned the insurance company for their association raised rates from $65k to $285k annually. Their basis being the roofs need to be upgraded, meaning complete tear off to the rafters and replace with hurricane resistant roofing installation. They have since complete the project and have yet to get any relief from the insurance company. I should add this is a three building complex each having 6 units. HC Helene removed the beach side boardwalk and landscaping. Hopefully Milton continues to shift significantly southward.
I’ll be pulling my Maggies, amps and subs into the hallway before the storm gets bad here as well as unplugging and covering the rest of the gear on the side wall.
Stay safe my friend.
Just make sure to mark the speaker locations with tape before moving them! 
LOL! I’ll be sure to do that. 
Grew up in Florida. Loved it. As a kid Hurricanes were fun! They did not seem this tramatic though. I have friends right in the middle near Tampa. They are high and dry so thats huge however there will probably be a bit of a breeze.
As for insurance and damage, im in Colorado. I have heard the sound of roofers all summer. Hurricanes, hail, fire. Mother nature is relentless
.
recommended Ashville to my wife mid-summer
Asheville is only 75 miles from us here in TN, the last storm has done a lot of damage there, because of the flooding. There still are lots of roads and bridges washed away in our area, may be years before all of them are repaired.
I have kin in Pinellas Park, not heard from them if they have evacuated or not.
Ouch…hope they do and call you to let you know…
Best wishes
God, I’m so sorry to hear that. Buckle down and we will be praying for a safe passage with minimal damage.
Fortunately you and the Huntress have weathered the storm.
Yes, the mighty Watauga river is now within its banks. TVA is draining a lot of water out of Watauga Lake and Little Wilbur lake upstream from us.
I see the US Weather Service (NOAA) just dropped the forecast wind gust speed for your location to 95mph. Any potential harm reduction is welcome. Stay safe!
https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=28.0222&lon=-81.7329&unit=0&lg=english&FcstType=graphical
I’ve been through many of them. I’m afraid you are a bit late to consider evacuating. Roads must be jammed and gas is scarce.
Close all hatches and stay safe. UNPLUG the system.
If you use iPhone, install iOS 18 which allows for direct to satellite communications in case you lose service. FYI, Elon/Starlink is hooked up for the same with TMobile and you could text using it.
Hope you dont need it.
Not too south 