[UMCRevMom@aol.com]

Crazy outer band is affecting Internet & electrical power way over in Jacksonville!!!

[bankwalker]

no it’s not ...

[Brian Griffin]

I’m in coastal Florida directly east of where the storm is at.

I’ve been getting light rain and substantial wind (~30mph).

The local Aldi was closed early so I’ll not have ice cream tonight.

[Cowgirl of Justice]

I am in Wilmington, NC. Does anyone have any information on whether or not to evacuate? I can’t find out anything online.

[FLNittany]

Storm surge is going to be bad, but it’s a fast moving storm at least. Surge always seems much worse in the Gulf than the Atlantic. I guess due to it being shallower close to the beach.

Then she’s going to go out into the Atlantic and maybe do a Jeanne on us and then come back for seconds.

[Presbyterian Reporter]

I am 45 miles south of Tampa and Idalia’s eye is about 130 offshore Sarasota.

The only thing happening here is some much needed rain today.

Now for the folks in Big Bend—it will not be good as Idalia starts to turn east later tonight.

[dayglored]

NautiNurse's Hurricane Thread (and Hurricane Ping List):

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4178003/posts

[Brian Griffin]

I’m south of Sarasota.

We’ve gotten some heavier rain and the wind seems fairly strong, maybe 45 mph.

The lights flicked about a minute ago.

I think the storm is headed in the direction of Cross City and Lake City. Check the National Hurricane Center site.

There was a real strong gust just now - maybe 60 mph.

I suspect the storm is strengthening.

[Brian Griffin]

Katrina was insignificant in my part of Florida, but we could feel it strengthening in the Gulf as it headed towards New Orleans.

[Uncle Lonny]

Of all the hurricane scares in my day this was the worst due to dire bulletins in the local weather forecasts. But it turned out to be a paper tiger.

Part due to the storm not coming ashore in Cedar Key but closer to Tallahassee. The storm weakening coming ashore instead of it intensifying when coming ashore as was predicted. The storm nearly collapsed with the radar showing it completely open on its SE side.

Was really nice to wake up this morn with the power still on. So nice to flip a switch to turn on the lights, AC and to make coffee instead walking around in the dark with a flashlight.

Wanted more rain though was hoping for 5 inches to fill up my pond but only got an inch and a half. But you cant have everything:

Much cooler too! The mid and upper 90s have been replaced by a balmy, windy, cloudy day with the high temp in the mid 80s!

Life is good!