Pray for Skay..Dennis is a 4 again

[camismom]

I'm real worried for Sandy and her family and friends. She said yesterday that they would ride out this hurricane unless if became a 4 or 5. As of this morning it is a 4 again. It has also taken more of a northern turn coming away from the more westerly projected path. They could be directly hit. I see she hasn't been on since last night so I just pray they have gone somewhere safe.

I know I don't have to say this, but everyone continue to pray for our Gulf Coast residents. This storm is going to be bad.

[Linda]

Christy....I believe Sandy said she was going to stay with friends a few days Stay safe my friends.

[Amsmom]

lots of to sandy and her family. i know that you are a pro at this now sandy, but we still worry about you. we can't wait till you can get online and tell us you are fine.

[finnmom]

Yes, watch it!! Sandy, Amsmom and all the other´s, our new´s said it´s going to hit Alabama too.....I hate hurricane´s ...and it´s still early in the season, isint it

Stay safe you all

[Sorka]

Hang on to something heavy it;s gonna get windy!!

Thoughts are with ya~~

Denise

[SKay]

Yes, we did ride out the hurricane with friends. It was really more for company than for safety. The more people, the less scarey!!

[SKay]

Ok, I'm back from taking care of a leak--not one from the ceiling (although we have some of those, too), but one on the floor (as in DD had way too much to drink at supper )

Here's our story: We had decided that if the hurricane got back up to a 4 we would leave the house (Ivan was a strong 3 or minimal 4, depending on who you talk to, and we didn't want to go through that again, especially with the kids). Saturday evening it looked like it was heading that way so we were packing for a shelter when DH decided to call a few friends to see what they were doing. When we told one family that we were going to a shelter, he invited us to their house. DH was all for it, but I was not so sure. Their kids and our kids are best friends, and we figured it would help them through the storm to be together so we went. They live on the 1st floor of some well-built apartments. Another family also stayed with us. We were going to go Sunday morning, but then a news report said that we could be seeing hurricane force winds by 6 am so we decided to hurry and get on over to their house Sat evening. Well, the wind wasn't strong Sunday morning afterall, but that's ok. We waited and waited. Finally a little after 2 pm we could tell we were getting a hurricane. Our friends have a bay window that we could easily see the storm from. We did try to be careful and not be too close to the window, though. The electricity didn't go out until about 2:50. By 5 or so we were able to venture outside but didn't go far because of downed tree limbs and power lines. By 6:30 we decided we'd better get home because we had to go to work the next day. I think Dennis wasn't bad for us for these reasons: (1) Its winds dropped to 120 mph before reaching shore (yes, I know that's still pretty strong but better than the 145 mph winds it had in the morning) (2) We were on the storm's west side (barely) which is the weakest side (3) The storm moved pretty quickly--didn't stick around to do much damage. (4) The storm was compact--the strong winds around the eye didn't extend out very far.

A short distance east of us did get it pretty bad from what I hear. We have several friends who live there. Some said they could feel the house shake. (I know that feeling; I remember it from other hurricanes and even felt it a little once during this one.)

Since we weren't home, we don't know what time our power went out, but it came on about 11:15 that night. The funny thing is that I was sleeping in the living room with the kids and the light came on. None of us woke up. DH came out and turned the light off for us!

And that's the story of Dennis.

[SKay]

One more thing, just to ease your fears (I should have posted this BEFORE the storm): We have some pretty safe buildings around here--built to withstand very strong winds. If we ever leave town for one of these things it will be because we don't want to go through the storm, not for safety reasons. The pictures you see on TV are always the worst damage and are usually at the beach where the storm surge does most of the harm. No, these storms are not to be taken lightly AT ALL, but once proper precautions have been made, everyone's usually ok. Sometimes the anticipation and preparation are the hardest part. A lot of us were totally DRAINED today.

I must say, though, that while this was a significant storm, it was not nearly as bad as Ivan, and it served to remind me just how bad Ivan was.

Thank you all again for your concern. It really means a lot!

[Amsmom]

sandy, thanks so much for writing us! we are so glad that you are back safe and sound!!! that was a very well written story, i must say!!! written like a true hurricane veteran!!!! i could see and feel your experiences all the way through. so glad youre back!!

[camismom]

Good to hear from you. Glad y'all came through ok.

[mothercat]

I have been very busy having a migraine and havent seen the weather but someone said another hurricane is forming out there somewhere again...anybody know anything....

[SKay]

UGH Migraines are no fun!

Tropical Storm Emily is still way out--too far to predict where it will make landfall, although it does look like it will be heading into the Gulf of Mexico rather than the east coast.

www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_at5+shtml/204720.shtml?5day

[camismom]

This is getting to be too much! I hope Emily keeps churning away out there in the Atlantic and fizzles herself on out.

We've got vacation next week and I want sunny weather. lol And on a les selfish note, I'm sure the Floridians want it too!

[mothercat]

Finaally seen the news this a.m. (means I finally took pills ..all I can have is sinus headache pills but my mouth is hanging open..when you kick three tylenol with them it helps.) It doesnt seem like Enily is moving the same way the others did.