[Mr_GTO]

There are more than a few of us PY/GTOAA/POCI members here in Southwest Florida. Today we face down our second big storm in a few weeks. Milton is at our door. Folks near the water could lose everything.

Anna Maria Island and Siesta Key are probably going to end up looking like Ft.Myers Beach after Hurricane Ian 2 years ago.

I'm 5 miles from Sarasota Bay and staying put. There are a few other members in Clearwater/St.Pete and Port Charlotte/Punta Gorda.

So if you could please just say a quick prayer that everyone makes it without too much issue.

Thanks.

[prostreet64]

Will do. Have been praying all week for this storm to weaken and not cause major damage. Just looked at one of the NOAA graphics for wind speed and the hurricane force winds are in a small area around the eye. Still dangerous but not like some of our major storms in recent years.

[jhein]

I lived in FL for 32 years so I've been through these things. Thoughts and prayers are with you guys. From what I see in the forecast for Sarasota, it looks like winds will be down to around 80 mph max by landfall. That's still some seriously dangerous wind but it's better than 150. Good luck to everyone!!

[67drake]

One of my sons lives in Deland. He’s a lineman, so had been up in the Carolinas since the last hurricane a few weeks back. He came home the other day to secure his own home in preparation for Milton to hit. At least he won’t have to travel far to keep busy. Hurricane season he is traveling throughout the SE doing high wire clean ups.

[Longs]

Prayers for you all, that you, your families, properties and Pontiacs come through unscathed!

[thepontiacman]

Prayers for everyone. Hope everyone will be ok.

Looks really bad right now.

[jhein]

Originally Posted by 67drake

One of my sons lives in Deland. He’s a lineman, so had been up in the Carolinas since the last hurricane a few weeks back. He came home the other day to secure his own home in preparation for Milton to hit. At least he won’t have to travel far to keep busy. Hurricane season he is traveling throughout the SE doing high wire clean ups.

DeSantis said today they have 50,000 linemen there ready to go. Those guys are truly awesome. Here in the PNW when we have storms, they're out there immediately getting thing back up. Unbelievable. Great people.

[stags]

Snowbird friends of ours have a place on a marina near the lower bridge to Anna Maria Island. They've let us use it offseason anytime we want for years. Apparently, Helene only made it to the foot of their driveway but this one is likely to be devastating.

Prayers for them and everyone down there. It's a beautiful area and I hate to think what
this is going to do.

[sdbob]

I have been since I heard. Also for those recovering. Amazing the destruction.

[dhcarguy]

My brother lives in Cape Coral and he stayed put. He is now getting some serious winds. He is 9ft. above sea level, so hopefully he doesn't got flooded.
We were on Sanibel for Helene and that was scary. Made it back home the next evening that Friday.

[jhein]

Holy crap, looks like 90+ mph sustained wind in Sarasota right now!

[fyrffytr1]

Prayers sent for all those in the path of this storm.

[hurryinhoosier62]

Originally Posted by jhein

Holy crap, looks like 90+ mph sustained wind in Sarasota right now!

Been through it during the years we lived in S. FL. Always kept the cars full of fuel and our “to go” bags ready during hurricane seasons. Talked with a friend who still lives in Martin Co., FL; she says two tornadoes have hit within a mile of our old house.

[tigergto]

I have a winter home in Englewood. I’m presently at my residence in NYS, anxiously awaiting word on how my area faired. During Ian we lost everything. I’m too old to go through this again.

[Mr_GTO]

My neighborhood made it out ok but we're in a good area. Other places were wiped out.

[dpoltzer]

It was very intense in the early AM hours here. Lost power for 12 hours but it is finally back on. Cars are high and dry! Dave

[67drake]

My son’s neighborhood in Deland is at a high point in his area, so water wasn’t a concern. He said except for a few branches down everything’s OK.

[Andre]

On the east coast of florida, we thought it was going to be easy... and it was, unless you got hit by a random tornado. I'm in Martin county, and I saw what a couple of them did. Its instant and catastrophic. The biggest problem being that we have not basements to hide in, and I don't think any safe room, unless its completely concrete block with poured ceiling is actually safe. I saw news picture that showed a construction size dumpster balancing on the peak of a house roof.