Storm Fay ... will it become a hurricane?

Oldman · August 17, 2008, 01:44:08 PM

This is a projection of where it will come in. If it does there then as it leaves my area it could cause the bay to blow up with water... this is not good for us as we are only 18 feet above sea level.

It is only moving at 17 mph which means it could grow to be a big BIG problem when crossing the straits of Florida. Cat 4 or even a 5 is possible if it is in the straits to long.

As many here know I have hardened our home. I believe it could take the full wind force of a cat 4 or a lower cat 5. It is the bay flooding that I cannot stop.

If it does flood here I feel for those in Tampa and that area as it would be under much water before it got here.

Olds

EDIT: I'm more storm ready than most. Enough water and food for 2 -3 months. Electric generator with a 500 gal fuel tank, and many guns and much ammo to protect my family should this really go south. (Don't laugh... look at New Orleans and Katrina... what happened to those who had nothing to defend themselves with.)

We even have a secondary backup place to run to if needed.

Smoking Duck · August 17, 2008, 01:47:16 PM

I hope you don't catch it too bad, Olds. My thoughts are with you.

SD

Habanero Smoker · August 17, 2008, 01:54:56 PM

Wishing you the best; hopefully it will change coarse and head back into the Atlantic.

FLBentRider · August 17, 2008, 05:46:15 PM

We're watching it too. I'm on the other side of the state from olds. The last map has it pushing further west, but it is anybodys guess still.

La Quinta · August 17, 2008, 07:17:38 PM

My Mom told me today...it was suppose to come in near Tampa (where Olds is close too) and rip across the state and come out where my Mom lives...NOT GOOD. My prayers are with all of the west coast and Key's folks (glad to hear you're well prepared Olds)...and lets hope this thing stays somewhat disorganized.

Smokin Soon · August 17, 2008, 08:28:24 PM

My Mom is in Naples, so I'm watching this one also.

FLBentRider · August 18, 2008, 03:11:43 AM

That Fay is wobling like a drunk on Anti-Freeze!

begolf25 · August 18, 2008, 06:30:26 AM

Stay safe Olds. My brothers live in Fort Lauderdale and they were supposed to fly up tomorrow (Tuesday) to visit this week but they switched their flights to this morning to make sure they get out ahead of the storm.

KyNola · August 18, 2008, 06:46:29 AM

All the best Olds. Hunker down and keep your head low.

KyNola

Oldman · August 18, 2008, 11:26:43 AM

Well I just filled up the water tank (165 gallons) and have lowered the storm shutters. Everything else is in order other than I need to "dust" off my 5.56 and 303 cals. (The 303 is chopped and good for 50 yards. It's only about 6.5 pounds ;D) Went through the pistols last night and shotguns.

I don't expect to have any trouble as this storm may not be to big... but you never know. Katrina was an eye opener for sure.
Olds

manxman · August 18, 2008, 12:16:15 PM

Take good care Olds and to all others either in Florida or who have friends and relatives there at the moment.

chrispy · August 18, 2008, 04:43:46 PM

Olds,

My guess is you have lived here in Florida for some time. Any of us who have been here for more than a few years know being prepared is everything.. In 2004 I got hit with 3 Hurricanes. I had a 6000 watt portable Honda generator. By the time the 2005 season came, I had full Hurricane shutters, metal roof, and a standby generator to run the whole house including a/c. I think I keep enough water and supplies for the whole neighborhood. Everyone laughs at me, but I know I have done everything I can to protect my family. I hope it stays out in the gulf, but right now it seems to be on the same track as Charley in 2004. Stay safe.

Chrispy

westexasmoker · August 18, 2008, 06:01:12 PM

You guys stay safe down there....never dealt with a hurricane nor an earthquake, just lots of tornados in my neck of the woods! Keeping ya'll all in my thoughts!

C

Oldman · August 18, 2008, 06:07:31 PM

QuoteOlds,

My guess is you have lived here in Florida for some time.

Born and raised here.

QuoteAny of us who have been here for more than a few years know being prepared is everything..

You betcha!

QuoteI had full Hurricane shutters, metal roof, and a standby generator to run the whole house including a/c. I think I keep enough water and supplies for the whole neighborhood.

Good deal. We have a metal roof as well. Shutters are roll down. The doors and sky lights have see-through protection. The garage door is also hardened. Two years back we converted the house over to propane--tank is buried in the ground. Put in a Rinnai gas hot water heater (tankless) and changed out the stove/oven to gas.

This greatly lowered our power requirements. I decided to not go with a stand-by generator. What I purchased was a 12,000 watt tri-fuel generator. You can change it on the fly from any of the gasses to another gas. It has a manual switch on my main power box. One of the reasons besides my lower power needs, and that it can run on anything but diesel fuel for choosing this unit is we are only 17 feet above sea level, and if I had to go I wanted to take it with me.

QuoteI think I keep enough water and supplies for the whole neighborhood. Everyone laughs at me, but I know I have done everything I can to protect my family.

I hear ya there. Not one of my neighbors is ready. Do you have home protection as well? My "GET-OUT-OF-MY-HOUSE-GUN is a pistol grip 3" mag 12gauge. (I'm to old to handle one of those 3 1/2" mag shell. I think it would break one of my wrist ;D)

To help extend my fuel I have 3 Global Sun Ovens. If you have not use a solar oven I recommend that you try one out. The Global is really neat and it has everything you could want in a solar oven. (I did a lot of looking into solar ovens before I settled on Global.) If you go to their web-site scoll down to the bottom and click on "Learn More." I think it will impress you.

Susan and I had a cook off between "her" gas oven and my solar oven. We prepared the same item. Trust me my dinner was far superior than hers. I've made coffee, poached eggs and "fried bacon" in one. Also you can bake bread or cookies without any trouble. Anything you can do in an oven you can do with a solar oven. One of the tricks I learn on how to control the heat (seen 400F) is to cover part of the glass face up with a white towel!!! Now WARNING don't look into those mirrors! Storage is easy as they fold up into a slick carrying case.

Where you here in March of 93? That was when our No Name Storm hit us. It has since been called the"Storm of the Century" It danced for days in the Gulf. It would start to move off and the loop back around at us. The reason I mention it is I've learned that a TSs and Hurricanes are like a women. They never seem to quite make up their minds where they really want to go to! Or worse what to wear to dinner! ;) My point is until Fay is North of me I take all forecast with a large dose of salt.

Hope you and yours come out of this season without having to run your generator~~!
Olds

EDIT: Just to tickle your fancy, I'm not two good blocks from the water and as I said we are only 17 feet above sea level-- we are not in a flood zone so I was able to purchase flood insurance for $305.00 per year! Coverage up to $250,000.00 Unreal uh?

carnie1 · August 18, 2008, 08:18:08 PM

I'm watching too, my place is in Ft lauderdale area, I am 1400 miles away , With Wilma 2 places within 100 feet of me were totally destroyed, hope this one misses us too.