I'm in California, watching a Cat 2 hurricane going right over our home in Boca, and there's nothing I can do. I just talked to Patricia, who has been holding down the fort, and says it's the worst she's ever been through. She's lost power, and will be in the eye shortly, then get beat up from the other direction. My heart and best wishes goes out to other Florida bloggers, and Floridians in general. This may be the worst hurricane for Florida since Andrew in terms of property damage, considering the large population in its path. No telling how long power will be out.

Best wishes to you and your loved ones as well, Rand. I know South Floridians are becoming somewhat the pros in handling hurricanes, but I'm sure that's a not something anyone really wants to become good at.

Good luck Rand. BTW, next time don't leave for coffee when we are voting hurricane tracks. :-)
Seriously, I've been in Florida over thirty years and experienced my first hurricane last year...three times. There was a house for sale close by that had a sign in the yard.
1. Charlie
2. Francis
3. Jeane
4. Sale

These storms are irritating and expensive, but
they pass. Good luck and be safe.

Good luck Rand. BTW, next time don't leave for coffee when we are voting hurricane tracks. :-)
Seriously, I've been in Florida over thirty years and experienced my first hurricane last year...three times. There was a house for sale close by that had a sign in the yard.
1. Charlie
2. Francis
3. Jeane
4. Sale

These storms are irritating and expensive, but
they pass. Good luck and be safe.

Don't worry yourself too much -- a well-constructed house should, with high probability, weather cat 3 winds without great damage.

I suspect all these storms are going to cause new construction in Florida to stick more closely to, or exceed, the requirements of the hurricane building codes.

my father in Boca says the tiles are flying off the roof of his building and landing like meteors in the pool. "worse than he expected," and he's been living in florida for 35 years. he's expecting 10 days without electricity. at least there's a silver lining there: i'll get everything in his freezer ;)

no structual damage to any of the buildings he can see so far, but clean-up of transportation (there's a boat wedged under the drawbridge near him and trees down across roads) and getting electricity back up will likely take a while.

good luck! worst we got here in gainesville was a rainy night.

I've said a prayer for you and your spouse.

Good luck.

So... how did it turn out?