Fl was hit 5 times in 2004. Charley was targeted for Tampa as well. I was happy to see that right hook just prior to land fall (no offense).
Charley, initially expected to hit further north in Tampa, caught many Floridians off-guard due to a sudden change in the storm's track as it approached the state.
I'm sure you are aware of the unpredictability of a storms intensity. It really depends on the length of time over the water.
no offense at all you know you live here. were all open targets when it comes to hurricane season. you always want it to hit anywhere but where you live. our saving grace was the worst part of charley only took 90 mins to pass. unlike a monster like andrew it took 9 hrs to pass.
so very true i know many that still say that charely caught them off guard. not me though, after being in homestead 6 days after andrew hit in 1992. that was a cat 5 with 170 + mph winds. i learned that being rdy is the only way. if you dont prepare then you and your family is at risk and can be in grave danger in a split second.
i learned what worked and what didnt as for covering up windows,bracing doors etc. im a roofer of over 20 yrs in florida. ive been in construction most of my adult life. when charley got close my brothers who also worked after andrew knew what to do. my sister who some of us rode out charley had me secure her house i braced the doors,windows, sliders and didnt lose anything. just her roof and that was made water tight the next day and had a new roof on in a week.
my youngest sisters boy friend said he was on it. turned out he didnt know crap but talked a good game. her house was flattened when the sliders gave way due to poor bracing. my brothers worst loss was his keg refrigarator. he went out got some beer went back in heard a noise and turned to see it fly off the back porch and through the neighbors house. he still complains about that pissed over a full keg and 4 cases of beer in it. lol
thats a storm i'll never forget watching my car blow around her yard like a toy and her neighbors house blow by like leaves off a tree. thats a site you will never forget.
i just hope it dont get much stronger and cause to many a lot of damage. on the up side hopefully this will catch us up on rain were still 10 inches behind on rain. the swamp next to me has been dry for the last 2 yrs wich is good cause it can handle lots of rain before it floods. usally this time of yr its 8-10 ft deep. now its not even ankle deep. all my land drains to it. so the dryer it is before a big storm hits the better for me.
i always joke this time of yr ... happiness is a warm chain saw. i keep mine rdy to go with lots of spare parts same for my generator & lots of gas .
you learn the true meaning of life when you see houses and cars blow by like leaves on a windy day.