Hurricane Matthew

I started watching Matthew this morning for the first time because we provide PC and web based property claims handling solutions. My early thoughts this storm as the potential to become like the 1992 Andrew another election year hurricane.

I like the suggestion to head west first from the east coast.

Having been over 10 years since the last major hurricane I am concerned that adverse weather is not on the top of the minds of everyone. A last minute blow out or breakdown in a MH could be fatal so I agree moving too soon and too far is the safe way to go. IF things were to go PANIC stage that might be more dangerous than the hurricane. Best to the safety of all and may it turn back to sea before land fall then NOT circle back to make landfall a few days later.

If anyone is leaving the East Coast and can't find an open RV space, just send me a PM. I can find a place to park your rig in the Seminole, FL area(between Clearwater and St. Pete) and we have an extra bedroom.

The bedroom has been taken but I do know of a few small RV parks in the area and will be glad to help find a vacancy for anyone else.

fcooper wrote:


We transitioned from St. Augustine, Fl to Lake Park, GA today.

Fred

We drove from St. Augustine out to a campground near Pensacola yesterday. Is transitioning easier than driving? Is it a worm hole kind of thing or folding space like in Dune?

Bill.Satellite wrote:
Things are looking worse for the East Coast of FL. The eye may come on shore at Ft. Pierce and run the coast all the way up near Daytona. It should be "at least" a Cat 4 when it comes on shore but they are not ruling out the chance that it could be a Cat 5. I made it past Baton Rouge yesterday and I will stop in the Gold Beach area of AL to wait out the storm. Once it gets to GA we will head in. Then we just have to watch out as it makes a loop and heads back to FL next week.

Be sure to check with the Florida Highway Patrol after the storm passes to find out what roads are open to get you to Melbourne. Depending on damage, it may take days or weeks for the major roads to open to allow incoming traffic. You may have to drive south along the West Coast of Florida and then loop over to Melbourne. This link may help:Fla road alerts

Things are looking worse for the East Coast of FL. The eye may come on shore at Ft. Pierce and run the coast all the way up near Daytona. It should be "at least" a Cat 4 when it comes on shore but they are not ruling out the chance that it could be a Cat 5. I made it past Baton Rouge yesterday and I will stop in the Gold Beach area of AL to wait out the storm. Once it gets to GA we will head in. Then we just have to watch out as it makes a loop and heads back to FL next week.

Keep in mind that by now, the major roadways away from the coast may have already been changed to "exit only", which means that traffic is one way only, away from the coast. Thia means that the traffic on both sides of a divided highway will all be traveling in the same direction.
In addition they have been reporting gas shortages in many areas of the State as people fill up to leave, or to have fuel if they decide to stay.
Stay safe and use common sense. If you can't leave the area, try to find a big box store where you can park next to a high building to shield you from the wind as much as possible. Between two building is the best and keep away from any trees that could blow down.
I should add that when the roads are made one way exit only, it may be several days after a storm before they are put back to normal. If there is extensive damage, they still do not want people to come back in to an area while emergency crews are working and supplies are brought in.

My condolences, too, Bill.

East Coastal Florida not a good place to be. A small westerly drift of the eye will make a big change the number of folks that see hurricane winds.

SR 27 is good road. Take it west to 98 and come up the west coast. 98 is a bit curvy but good road. Take 98 to SR 27 in Panama City then to I10. Plenty of Camp grounds along the coast, too.

Yep, we are praying! I cannot get my Father-in-law to drive inland to Orlando. So we will just have to wait and see.

Bill.Satellite wrote:
The latest forecast is for Matthew to do a landfall near Melbourne, FL at, or near, KSC. My Mother died last night in the Melbourne area and I left TX this morning to get to FL. I will stop in AL and wait until the storm get to GA, at least, before heading to FL. Anyone in Eastern FL who does not take this storm seriously is putting themselves in serious and unnecessary jeopardy. If I do get to FL and the storm turns back in a loop back toward FL I will be looking to move again. Please folks, your life is not the same as your pride. Don't stay because you feel someone might perceive you as weak. The smart leave and the victims stay. Been there, done that and have no problems telling anyone who asks that I evacuated the KSC area twice in 3 years.

My condolences on the passing of your Mother. If the eye of the storm stays East of Melbourne, you can expect some high tides, storm surge, and quite a bit of wind, but the rain should be minimal. With any luck it will not shift to the West any more.

Lt46 wrote:
I was just out on SR 27 in central Fl. and the number of RV's heading north is remarkable. Convoy after convoy. Many are taking this storm seriously.

We transitioned from St. Augustine, Fl to Lake Park, GA today. Traffic on I-10 and I-75 was heavy, but not gridlock. Campgrounds in the central areas are filling quickly, however. Be safe out there.

Fred