We’ve been here before, in the bulls eye of a hurricane. I joked with Barb that sometimes the safest place to be, given the vagaries of hurricane predicting, is in the bulls eye. However, this is looking more and more serious, and so we covet the prayers of our friends in calmer environs. Here is the latest from the hurricane center:
AT 11 AM EDT…1500 UTC…A HURRICANE WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR THE SOUTHWESTERN COAST OF FLORIDA FROM FLAMINGO TO ANNA MARIA ISLAND. A HURRICANE WARNING MEANS THAT HURRICANE CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED WITHIN THE WARNING AREA WITHIN THE NEXT 24 HOURS. PREPARATIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY SHOULD BE RUSHED TO COMPLETION.
As I type, I am just inland from Anna Maria Island, clearly under a hurricane warning. What an exciting place to live.
I’ll keep you posted, if I can.
UPDATE: My much better informed farmer’s daughter tells me that actually, the storm is slated to hit somewhat south of us, which would put us on the mild side of the storm.
And, my much more spiritually minded colleague has posted this excellent reflection on hurricanes and the like.
FURTHER UPDATE: This is what makes this so uncertain (from the National Hurricane Center):
IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT…SIMILAR TO CHARLEY IN 2004…SMALL DEVIATIONS FROM THE FORECAST TRACK COULD MAKE LARGE DIFFERENCES IN WHEN AND WHERE THE CENTER OF FAY MAKES LANDFALL ON THE FLORIDA COAST.
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MagistraCarminae
.. and I’m on my way over to the weather channel…Chris
MagistraCarminae
And the first part of the above post, apparently lost in cyber space, was, “I am praying for you all here, Randy!”
TulipGirl
With the schools and businesses closed tomorrow (but not a strong indication to evacuate), we’re planning on making beef stew, lighting candles, reading aloud, and enjoying the storm.Though at the same time, mindful that things may get worse.