Hurricane Milton (3 Viewers)
- Thread starter usskyblue
- Start date
Sbarcher
Well-Known Member
Wouldn't have taken too much notice of Milton, but received this round robin message today via our old school pupil group.
We don't know how lucky we are!
Apologies for a group message but don't have time to send individual messages.
Thank you for reaching out and checking on me/us. It has been such a tough week (now day 9) but Phil, the dog and cat and I were all unhurt. Rebecca was away at uni. A mother of Rebecca's friend was killed in a house collapse and some work friends suffered minor injuries but otherwise we do not personally know of other tragedies. We have lots of bottled water and candles. We have food - I always kept a lot of canned goods anyway and we ate the contents of the fridge and freezer for a few days using the BBQ grill to cook.
So circling back to the Thursday before the hurricane, we heard on the news to expect some winds of around 20 mph (strong but not worrying) and some heavy rain. We woke early on Friday morning to dark menacing skies, strong wind and lashing rain. It did not look good but we still felt that this was as bad as it would get. We were wrong. The wind started howling and swirling and everywhere was dark. Our house is on a mountain covered in old growth oak trees. Massive massive trees. And sure enough we heard the first one crack fall with a thundering crash. The wind was unbeleivable. We went down to the basement for safety and a huge tree fell on the roof causing the whole house to shudder. The power had gone out some hours earlier (and with it our only way to get water as we are on a well with an electric pump). Mobile phone coverage out too. All morning we could hear strong winds and trees falling. Never having experienced a hurricane before - it is terrifying.
By mid afternoon it had passed through and we went outside. The tree on the house had cracked a large beam and left a hole in the roof. We counted 17 trees down and 4 huge ones across our driveway meaning we were trapped in. Not a good feeling. Neighbours came out - everyone checking on everyone else and just standing there in shock. Someone brought out a bottle of whiskey to pass round!
Over the next few days neighbours came with chain saws and axes and worked with Phil round the clock to get the trees off the driveway. The one on the roof will need professional workers as it is so massive - at least 80 feet tall and leaning on the roof - not something ordinary people can tackle. Because of the devastation everywhere no one has yet come to help with this although Phil has tried many times to get help.
Our neighbourhood is a war zone. Power lines and tree limbs all over the road, telegraph poles snapped in half like matchsticks, two bridges washed away and a couple of cars and caravans upturned. It will be a long time till power is back.
We are coping - I am at the office now where we have internet and power. Water distribution is going on every day at fire stations and churches. The electric crews are out now cutting and removing tree debris to get to the power lines. A few supermarkets are open and although supplies are limited, we did water, candles, bread, a cauliflower and a papaya!! Any suggestions on preparing these as part of a nutritious dinner?!
The office has power but no water so we are all using one portapotty - very pleasant after a week of use by over 50 people. We are extremely busy as the election is less than a month but people are all supporting each other. One person has water at home and is bringing in large bottles daily. Another has chickens and brought in eggs. etc etc.
Well, I will wrap up. Please know we are ok and we are seeing progress. Thanks again for your messages - it is so nice to hear from you all.
We don't know how lucky we are!
Apologies for a group message but don't have time to send individual messages.
Thank you for reaching out and checking on me/us. It has been such a tough week (now day 9) but Phil, the dog and cat and I were all unhurt. Rebecca was away at uni. A mother of Rebecca's friend was killed in a house collapse and some work friends suffered minor injuries but otherwise we do not personally know of other tragedies. We have lots of bottled water and candles. We have food - I always kept a lot of canned goods anyway and we ate the contents of the fridge and freezer for a few days using the BBQ grill to cook.
So circling back to the Thursday before the hurricane, we heard on the news to expect some winds of around 20 mph (strong but not worrying) and some heavy rain. We woke early on Friday morning to dark menacing skies, strong wind and lashing rain. It did not look good but we still felt that this was as bad as it would get. We were wrong. The wind started howling and swirling and everywhere was dark. Our house is on a mountain covered in old growth oak trees. Massive massive trees. And sure enough we heard the first one crack fall with a thundering crash. The wind was unbeleivable. We went down to the basement for safety and a huge tree fell on the roof causing the whole house to shudder. The power had gone out some hours earlier (and with it our only way to get water as we are on a well with an electric pump). Mobile phone coverage out too. All morning we could hear strong winds and trees falling. Never having experienced a hurricane before - it is terrifying.
By mid afternoon it had passed through and we went outside. The tree on the house had cracked a large beam and left a hole in the roof. We counted 17 trees down and 4 huge ones across our driveway meaning we were trapped in. Not a good feeling. Neighbours came out - everyone checking on everyone else and just standing there in shock. Someone brought out a bottle of whiskey to pass round!
Over the next few days neighbours came with chain saws and axes and worked with Phil round the clock to get the trees off the driveway. The one on the roof will need professional workers as it is so massive - at least 80 feet tall and leaning on the roof - not something ordinary people can tackle. Because of the devastation everywhere no one has yet come to help with this although Phil has tried many times to get help.
Our neighbourhood is a war zone. Power lines and tree limbs all over the road, telegraph poles snapped in half like matchsticks, two bridges washed away and a couple of cars and caravans upturned. It will be a long time till power is back.
We are coping - I am at the office now where we have internet and power. Water distribution is going on every day at fire stations and churches. The electric crews are out now cutting and removing tree debris to get to the power lines. A few supermarkets are open and although supplies are limited, we did water, candles, bread, a cauliflower and a papaya!! Any suggestions on preparing these as part of a nutritious dinner?!
The office has power but no water so we are all using one portapotty - very pleasant after a week of use by over 50 people. We are extremely busy as the election is less than a month but people are all supporting each other. One person has water at home and is bringing in large bottles daily. Another has chickens and brought in eggs. etc etc.
Well, I will wrap up. Please know we are ok and we are seeing progress. Thanks again for your messages - it is so nice to hear from you all.
B-Ban-Boogie
Well-Known Member
Lived in Bradenton and worked in Sarasota for 20 years...
There is not a good feeling about this one at all from close friends there.
Looks like it could be a direct hit on that area. Going to decimate the coastal parts.
I spoke to my mate yesterday, who lives right on the intercoastal, and he's staying put..
Not a very wise decision when you have a couple of young kids too. I've told him to get the fuck out.
Its not nesseccarily the winds that are the problem, its the storm surge thats the issue and they are predicting up to 15ft..
That means your house is fooked..you have no car, no power and no cell service.
Then when it passes the sun comes out and its 100f again. ugh.. horrible.
I went through Irma and Ian and the highest windspeed record in our community was 80mph..
Its was pretty scary at one point and the water spiralled up off the lake behind the house it was so bad!!
Shit my self i did..
The worst part of this, is that most of the coastal area still has TONS of debris from Helene out on the streets.
Thats also the biggest killer.... couple of 2 x 4's flying around at 100mph can do some serious damage.
I fear for the area...
No idea what my works HQ will look like after this!
There is not a good feeling about this one at all from close friends there.
Looks like it could be a direct hit on that area. Going to decimate the coastal parts.
I spoke to my mate yesterday, who lives right on the intercoastal, and he's staying put..
Not a very wise decision when you have a couple of young kids too. I've told him to get the fuck out.
Its not nesseccarily the winds that are the problem, its the storm surge thats the issue and they are predicting up to 15ft..
That means your house is fooked..you have no car, no power and no cell service.
Then when it passes the sun comes out and its 100f again. ugh.. horrible.
I went through Irma and Ian and the highest windspeed record in our community was 80mph..
Its was pretty scary at one point and the water spiralled up off the lake behind the house it was so bad!!
Shit my self i did..
The worst part of this, is that most of the coastal area still has TONS of debris from Helene out on the streets.
Thats also the biggest killer.... couple of 2 x 4's flying around at 100mph can do some serious damage.
I fear for the area...
No idea what my works HQ will look like after this!
What do those shields indicate,sea temperature or something?
Earlsdon_Skyblue1
Well-Known Member
Mate, this looks to be a big fucker. Stay safe!
usskyblue
Well-Known Member
Cone variation and time lines
usskyblue
Well-Known Member
Shutters are up, outside the house cleared, power banks charged, 100 AA batteries for battery powered lighting, valuable docs in a waterproof safe, enough food and water for a week. Cash in case the credit card machines go down. IOS 18 update for satellite messaging in case the cell phone towers come down.
Otis
Well-Known Member
Good luck. Hope everyone comes out the other side, unscathed
Sick Boy
Super Moderator
All the best, mate
B-Ban-Boogie
Well-Known Member
Be safe mate... 
shepardo01
Well-Known Member
Can't you get out of there mate!??
Wishing you all the very best!!!!!
We'll_live_and_die
Super Moderator
How long till it hits florida?
usskyblue
Well-Known Member
They’re saying it’ll make landfall around 2am (7am UK time) If it comes through Tampa Bay, we’re 15 miles inland, directly in the path.
olderskyblue
Well-Known Member
Bloody hell, best of luck.
usskyblue
Well-Known Member
Last time we evacuated (for Irma) it changed course and followed us. We can’t get far enough north in the time available, so Miami would be the only option.. but with no guarantee it wouldn’t change direction and follow us again. Plus the interstates are rammed, so it would take 8 hrs to travel what normally takes 4.
We'll_live_and_die
Super Moderator
Good luck mate, looking forward to your report after the event that you're safe and the worst has passed.
B-Ban-Boogie
Well-Known Member
New projected path..... Sarasota/Bradenton Airport (SRQ)
The arrows are my HQ buildings..... Not good.
All data servers to our global facilites are in the top arrow building...
If it goes down... We all go down..
The arrows are my HQ buildings..... Not good.
All data servers to our global facilites are in the top arrow building...
If it goes down... We all go down..
Terry_dactyl
Well-Known Member
Good luck @usskyblue wishing all the best to you and yours.
Sky_Blue_Daz
Well-Known Member
Good luck
San Francisco
Well-Known Member
Good luck pal, hope you're doing alright.
usskyblue
Well-Known Member
Center has jogged a little south atm but it’s still early and the models still have landfall from Tampa down to Port Charlotte. But because of the size of it’s core, wherever it goes in that window, we’re still getting hurricane force winds and possible flash flooding.
Just heavy rain here at the moment.. the first wind bands expected early afternoon.
Just heavy rain here at the moment.. the first wind bands expected early afternoon.
Good luck!
Sky Blue Pete
Well-Known Member
You still got wifi then
usskyblue
Well-Known Member
Power still on atm.. only gusts so far, the heavy stuff won’t come until later tonight
JohnWH
Well-Known Member
Oof. @usskyblue stay safe and don't take any unnecessary risks, have any vulnerable or elderly friends or neighbors to check in on? Best wishes to you all
Philosoraptor
Well-Known Member
I just don't know. Don't stick your head above the parapet in the eye of the storm seems like a challenge to me.
Keep safe lad.
Keep safe lad.
Philosoraptor
Well-Known Member
The sea level tides are rising , or whatever you call them, on the above stream. Getting gradually worse over the past half hour.
Philosoraptor
Well-Known Member
Englewood is getting pounded by tides.