Well, after several days of preparation and prayers, Irma finally made landfall in lower keys this morning. We were grateful on the east coast that the storm shifted west, but it looks like it will really be bad for Naples and Tampa. At the last advisory, she had shifted back a little west so winds will be worse for east side.
So far, we have not lost power in Woodfield where we live. Bill and Grant keep going outside in lulls between rain bands and are clearing drains on our street. We have had a lot of flickering and power surges, but power is still hanging in. Grant is hoping it we keep power at least through football games! LOL
Just checked on Mary and she is doing fine. They still have power as well. She has two people staying with her and three children. I think the children are a great diversion...
The news is saying that in Boca there is a large tree down blocking Military Trail. So far it looks like a lot of power lines going down and big trees. The problem with power lines going down is that they hit homes and are causing small fires..
It will deteriorate as the afternoon goes on. The eye is going due north with a bead on Marco Island. As Irma moves northward at 9mph , the stronger our winds will get.
I will give our Governor Rick Scott an A grade for handling the preparation for the storm. Evacuations went well, considering how many people were moved out. Especially with the last minute shift to the west which caught the west coast off guard. Having weather Wilma a few years ago, I can say with certainty we are SO much better off this time. Gas stations have been being replenished. Publix did a great job getting restocked. Social media has been huge this time with everyone sharing where there are gas stations with no lines and gas. We were notified on a great free app called NextDoor , that Publix got fully restocked with ice, bread, etc on Friday night. We didn't have ice. (we'd been making and bagging our own) But we rushed over before they closed and got ice for our coolers and Mary's house. A quick word about NextDoor. It is a free app that connects neighborhoods. You sign up with your zip code and email. They verify that you live in that neighborhood and then you are connected. It's SUPER helpful. People that are your neighbors (you can see what community they're posting from) recommend contractors, offer items for free and items for sale. Doctors are recommended. Several single women asked for help putting up shutters before the storm and volunteers in Woodfield went to help. Go to NextDoor.com and download! Super useful!!!
There is a VERY strong band with tornadoes in it that is clobbering Borward County right now (11:50am) and is moving towards Boca so we may lose power shortly.
We did hurricane proof out house about eight years ago so this is a little test. So far so good...We are fortunate to be on the power grid with a police/fire station so we are given priority and all our power lines are underground.
Tucker, surprisingly is really nervous... Not usually like that. But he wants to be on someone's lap...
Speaking of dogs, Trey, Annette, Gaby and KC have a new 9 week old Cairn terrier puppy, Cosmo. He has no idea this isn't normal so he's just fine....Annette was doing a live feed on Facebook from her house so you can check that out on Facebook.
A few hours ago, when Trey went outside to clear drains on his street, Annette let KC out for a few minutes! SHE LOVED THE WIND! She was having so much fun! She ran to get her scooter out of the garage so she could go flying down the street with the wind at her back! Trey ran to grab her and told her no scooter! So, she puts out her hand and says: " Don't worry daddy. I got this!" (She's two years two months! Oh my goodness....) Gaby was hanging inside watching a movie since they still have power.
Originally they were not thinking tornadoes were going to be a big problem for us because of the eye going straight up the spine of Florida. BUT, now that the eye has shifted west, tornadoes are becoming a big issue on the north east side of the storm. High tide is coming into the east coast now so flooding in Miami is becoming a big issue. I'm going to upload a couple of photos and videos and go ahead and post this now while I still have power. Back later this afternoon I hope....
Ok. Here is the latest for 2:09. Hurricane force winds over 100mph in Fl. Multiple trees and branches down in Boca. We still have power and so does Mary. It is worse then we thought it would be but I cannot imagine how it is in the Keys and Naples. There will be such destruction. Boca and south palm beach county are getting worst bands right now. Multiple alarms going off on phones that tornadoes are on ground in Boca. Even land line calls from emergency alert system for Palm Beach county keep phoning us with tornadoe alerts. Rest of tree in front yard just snapped again. I'll post photo..
Just found out that Hurricane Donna struck on this day in 1960. They showed the two storm photos side by side and they look identical!
Well, now 2 cranes have collapesed in Miami and south Miami. They were supposed to be able to handle 145 mph winds. One landed on top of condo high rise that was under construction. My phone is blowing up with emergency alerts saying take shelter immediately. We do have 3 saferooms to use. A bathroom off Bill's office, his closet, and a coat closet...REALLY bad band now. Moving through at 90mph. Will be hitting Boca soon.
