Hurricane Watch Sumter County

[asianthree]

So three channels are posting a Hurricane Watch for Sumter until Saturday 11:15pm. No prediction of rain amounts yet.

Wondering if news is just being cautious.

[Kenswing]

From Sumter County Sheriff:

Hurricane Watch issued August 27 at 4:58PM EDT by NWS Tampa Bay Ruskin FL

August 27, 2023 at 17:00:41 EDT
A Hurricane Watch means hurricane-force winds are possible somewhere within this area within the next 48 hours * LOCATIONS AFFECTED - Wildwood - Lake Panasoffkee - Bushnell * WIND - LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Below tropical storm force wind - Peak Wind Forecast: 20-30 mph with gusts to 35 mph - THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for wind 58 to 73 mph - PLAN: Plan for dangerous wind of equivalent strong tropical storm force. -

PREPARE: Efforts to protect life and property should now be underway. Prepare for significant wind damage. - ACT: Act now to complete preparations before the wind becomes hazardous. -

POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Significant - Some damage to roofing and siding materials, along with damage to porches, awnings, carports, and sheds. A few buildings experiencing window, door, and garage door failures. Mobile homes damaged, especially if unanchored. Unsecured lightweight objects become dangerous projectiles. - Several large trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Several fences and roadway signs blown over. - Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban or heavily wooded places. A few bridges, causeways, and access routes impassable. - Scattered power and communications outages, but more prevalent in areas with above ground lines. * FLOODING RAIN - LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: - Peak Rainfall Amounts: Additional 1-3 inches, with locally higher amounts -

THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for moderate flooding rain - PLAN: Emergency plans should include the potential for moderate flooding from heavy rain. Evacuations and rescues are possible. - PREPARE: Consider protective actions if you are in an area vulnerable to flooding. - ACT: Heed any flood watches and warnings. Failure to take action may result in serious injury or loss of life. -

POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Significant - Moderate rainfall flooding may prompt several evacuations and rescues. - Rivers and tributaries may quickly become swollen with swifter currents and overspill their banks in a few places, especially in usually vulnerable spots. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches overflow. - Flood waters can enter some structures or weaken foundations. Several places may experience expanded areas of rapid inundation at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage areas. Some streets and parking lots take on moving water as storm drains and retention ponds overflow. Driving conditions become hazardous. Some road and bridge closures. * TORNADO -

LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: - Situation is somewhat favorable for tornadoes - THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for a few tornadoes - PLAN: Emergency plans should include the potential for a few tornadoes. - PREPARE: If your shelter is particularly vulnerable to tornadoes, prepare to relocate to safe shelter before hazardous weather arrives. - ACT: If a tornado warning is issued, be ready to shelter quickly. -

POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Limited - The occurrence of isolated tornadoes can hinder the execution of emergency plans during tropical events. - A few places may experience tornado damage, along with power and communications disruptions. - Locations could realize roofs peeled off buildings, chimneys toppled, mobile homes pushed off foundations or overturned, large tree tops and branches snapped off, shallow-rooted trees knocked over, moving vehicles blown off roads, and boats pulled from moorings. * FOR MORE INFORMATION: - Tampa Bay Area, FL (https://www.weather.gov/tbw)

Shared from the Sumter County Sheriff's Office app at Sumter County Sheriff's Office (FL)
App Store Links (https://apps.myocv.com/share/a26234785)

[Bill14564]

So three channels are posting a Hurricane Watch for Sumter until Saturday 11:15pm. No prediction of rain amounts yet.

Wondering if news is just being cautious.

Governor issued a state of emergency earlier in the day - Sumter was one of the counties included.

National Hurricane Center has updated the forecast southward so that the edge now includes Tampa and comes close to the Villages.

Still three days out so a lot can change. Doesn't hurt to start thinking about what you might need for this hurricane season.

[Bogie Shooter]

So three channels are posting a Hurricane Watch for Sumter until Saturday 11:15pm. No prediction of rain amounts yet.

Wondering if news is just being cautious.

News is just reporting…….not calling the watch.

[asianthree]

News is just reporting…….not calling the watch.

You are correct it’s posting from the National Weather Service. This if it does meander to TV would be our second go around.

Guess grocery shelves will be empty in 24 hours. Good reason to find all those items in your freeze you forgot about, and cook them������

[Ecuadog]

Items exempt from sales tax during the Disaster Prep holiday period, 26 AUG - 8 SEP.

Click here (https://floridarevenue.com/DisasterPrep/Documents/2023/DPposter11X17.pdf).

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/members/ecuadog-25564/albums/ecuadog-stuff/10300-sig.jpg

[Stu from NYC]

Will be following the news

[asianthree]

Will be following the news

Hope everyone has Utube, or prime, or Get out the dvd’s if you have them….last time every channel had non stop weather maps minute by minute. With very little changes every hour.

[Keefelane66]

Which Insurance Companies will leave next?

[Escape Artist]

Just Sumter? What about Marion?

[Velvet]

So three channels are posting a Hurricane Watch for Sumter until Saturday 11:15pm. No prediction of rain amounts yet.

Wondering if news is just being cautious.

Thank you for this notice.

[Taltarzac725]

Remember that a lot of the people on the Gulf Coast of Florida over by Cedar Key, New Port Richey, Clearwater, Palm Harbor,Tarpon Springs, Sarasota, Homostassa Springs come inland to get away from the storm. They come to around this way.
Florida State Map | USA | Detailed Maps of Florida (FL) (https://ontheworldmap.com/usa/state/florida/)

The big worry here are tornadoes.

[Stu from NYC]

Remember that a lot of the people on the Gulf Coast of Florida over by Clearwater, Tarpon Springs, Sarasota, Homostassa Springs come inland to get away from the storm. They come to around this way.

OK but not sure of your point.

[Taltarzac725]

OK but not sure of your point.

We are not the ones who need to get out of harm's way usually. Unless a tornado is involved and it is hard to plan for those.

We may lose power for a day or two but usually some of the surrounding areas have homes that are without power a lot longer.

The developers picked a great area here in Florida to set up the Villages. We are pretty safe except for from tornadoes and lightning strikes.

[Kenswing]

Hurricane Watch issued August 27 at 11:06PM EDT by NWS Tampa Bay Ruskin FL

August 27, 2023 at 23:08:43 EDT

* LOCATIONS AFFECTED - Wildwood - Lake Panasoffkee - Bushnell

* WIND - LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Below tropical storm force wind - Peak Wind Forecast: 20-30 mph with gusts to 45 mph -

THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for wind 74 to 110 mph - The wind threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment.

- PLAN: Plan for life-threatening wind of equivalent CAT 1 or 2 hurricane force. -

PREPARE: Efforts to protect life and property should now be rigorously underway. Prepare for considerable wind damage. -

ACT: Act now to complete preparations before the wind becomes hazardous. -

POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Extensive - Considerable roof damage to sturdy buildings, with some having window, door, and garage door failures leading to structural damage. Mobile homes severely damaged, with some destroyed. Damage accentuated by airborne projectiles. Locations may be uninhabitable for weeks. - Many large trees snapped or uprooted along with fences and roadway signs blown over. - Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban or heavily wooded places. Several bridges, causeways, and access routes impassable. - Large areas with power and communications outages.

* FLOODING RAIN - LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: - Peak Rainfall Amounts: Additional 1-3 inches, with locally higher amounts - THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for moderate flooding rain - The flooding rain threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment. - PLAN: Emergency plans should include the potential for moderate flooding from heavy rain. Evacuations and rescues are possible. - PREPARE: Consider protective actions if you are in an area vulnerable to flooding. - ACT: Heed any flood watches and warnings. Failure to take action may result in serious injury or loss of life. -

POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Significant - Moderate rainfall flooding may prompt several evacuations and rescues. - Rivers and tributaries may quickly become swollen with swifter currents and overspill their banks in a few places, especially in usually vulnerable spots. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches overflow. - Flood waters can enter some structures or weaken foundations. Several places may experience expanded areas of rapid inundation at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage areas. Some streets and parking lots take on moving water as storm drains and retention ponds overflow. Driving conditions become hazardous. Some road and bridge closures. *

TORNADO - LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: - Situation is somewhat favorable for tornadoes - THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for a few tornadoes - The tornado threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment. - PLAN: Emergency plans should include the potential for a few tornadoes. - PREPARE: If your shelter is particularly vulnerable to tornadoes, prepare to relocate to safe shelter before hazardous weather arrives. - ACT: If a tornado warning is issued, be ready to shelter quickly. -

POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Limited - The occurrence of isolated tornadoes can hinder the execution of emergency plans during tropical events. - A few places may experience tornado damage, along with power and communications disruptions. - Locations could realize roofs peeled off buildings, chimneys toppled, mobile homes pushed off foundations or overturned, large tree tops and branches snapped off, shallow-rooted trees knocked over, moving vehicles blown off roads, and boats pulled from moorings. * FOR MORE INFORMATION: - Tampa Bay Area, FL (https://www.weather.gov/tbw)

Shared from the Sumter County Sheriff's Office app at Sumter County Sheriff's Office (FL)
App Store Links (https://apps.myocv.com/share/a26234785)

[bowlingal]

Asian ....watch the news starting today. Whole different ballgame. DO NOT take this lightly.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

Geez people, tis the season! and the height of hurricane season is from the middle of august through the middle of september. .

current forecast in Tampa is a 4-7 ft storm surge surge, which is insurance company hammering. . for lots of very expense waterfront homes..

which insurance company will remain is the real question!

[srswans]

So three channels are posting a Hurricane Watch for Sumter until Saturday 11:15pm. No prediction of rain amounts yet.

Wondering if news is just being cautious.

TV is on the windward side of the current path prediction which, if accurate, will net us some serious wind and rain for Idalia midweek.

Then again, Ian had the same predicted path and it turned to hit Ft. Meyers sparing TV.

[Bill14564]

Be aware? Yes. Prepare? Yes. Panic? NO!

As others have pointed out, the Villages is where Tampa goes to escape the storm.

[cjrjck]

I've lived in hurricane country for a long time. Obviously the big threats are flooding and wind damage mostly due to falling trees and power lines. The Villages has few large trees around homes and few vulnerable power poles, minimizing wind damage except for that to our buildings themselves but they are designed to withstand a lot of wind. Flooding is another matter. I saw what happened to the lower areas around Orlando last year. I don't think TV is as likely to flood that bad except maybe the areas south of 44.

[Randall55]

Be aware? Yes. Prepare? Yes. Panic? NO!

As others have pointed out, the Villages is where Tampa goes to escape the storm. Maybe your relatives and friends head to the Villages to evacuate. I lived in the St Pete Area for 18 years. When people evacuate they are instructed to head toward places outside of the weather center cone. If you evacuate somewhere inside the cone, you are still going to experience hurricane winds, flooding, and power outages. There is also a possibility that trees and debris will block the roads making it difficult to return home. Not to mention when you arrive to an area further inside the cone, parts of the area may be shut down and gas may be in limited supply. We are instructed to stay off major hwys, if possible, because this will only lead to an enormous traffic jam with the possibility of some running out of gas. No one in 18 yrs ever advised us to evacuate to the Ocala/Villages area.

[merrymini]

Okay, issue a watch but do they have to act like it’s end of the world every time? Remember the boy who cried wolf?

[midiwiz]

all this and not one mention of a hurricane party..... totally disappointing

[mikeycereal]

I knew this type of weather was part of living in FL, but the same path/area 2 years in a row? Hopefully similar to last year and passes by our area with just some wind and rain. Weather reports say it may be moving through faster than last year's.

[NotGolfer]

Prepare, be cautious don't panic! When Irma hit the winds and rain were fierce. Power outages in T.V. were scattered but for the most part the newer areas where the infa-structure was underground didn't ever lose it. Yes, there were trees and branches down. I'd say use common sense and watch/listen when possible. I tend not to keep my focus on any of the "news" outlets as it will feed into fear and worry. Yes, I do pay attention!! BUT there's a difference! The 24/7 loop on "news" isn't healthy---with the weather, with politics, with any kind of ________(fill in the blank).

[Randall55]

all this and not one mention of a hurricane party..... totally disappointing I am not someone who will celebrate someone's misfortune. Not that I am holier than thou, it doesn't feel appropriate.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

all this and not one mention of a hurricane party..... totally disappointing

I agree!

to drown our sorrows from everyone losing their house insurance due to all insurers leaving the state. . which may cause housing prices to drop faster than AIR BNB insolvency.

the future is always uncertain, sometimes more uncertain than at other times. .

[Nana2Teddy]

Hope everyone has Utube, or prime, or Get out the dvd’s if you have them….last time every channel had non stop weather maps minute by minute. With very little changes every hour.
Did anyone lose WiFi service from Spectrum or Xfinity last time? New here, and not sure what the probability is that we’ll be without Wifi. Without it we won’t have our streaming services. I get that we will lose it if we lose power, but if we lose power I will be too miserable from the heat/humidity to care about WiFi and television.

[defrey12]

I am not someone who will celebrate someone's misfortune. Not that I am holier than thou, it doesn't feel appropriate.

You obviously haven’t lived in Florida very long. It’s what you do to escape the never ending “news” cycle. Prepare, then have a party! Done ✅

[Bill14564]

Maybe your relatives and friends head to the Villages to evacuate. I lived in the St Pete Area for 18 years. When people evacuate they are instructed to head toward places outside of the weather center cone. If you evacuate somewhere inside the cone, you are still going to experience hurricane winds, flooding, and power outages. There is also a possibility that trees and debris will block the roads making it difficult to return home. Not to mention when you arrive to an area further inside the cone, parts of the area may be shut down and gas may be in limited supply. We are instructed to stay off major hwys, if possible, because this will only lead to an enormous traffic jam with the possibility of some running out of gas. No one in 18 yrs ever advised us to evacuate to the Ocala/Villages area.

Don’t know what to tell you. Last year some headed away from the cone and went to Ft Myers - didn’t work out well. I haven’t been here 18 years but three or four hurricanes under our belt plus tales of the Villages leads me to believe this is the place I want to be.

The concern about power and trees makes sense… if there were raised power lines and large trees near homes here. I’m still feeling pretty good here.

Gas? Seems like human nature. A hurricane gets named and people run to the pumps. Wish it wasn’t that way but…

[Taltarzac725]

I would be a lot more worried if I still lived in Palm Harbor, Florida which is near Tarpon Springs, Dunedin, and Clearwater.

We had about 20 feet of elevation though but were a football throw (by Tom Brady) from Lake Tarpon.

We seemed to be the bullseye in Palm Harbor 4 times in 2005 but all were misses. One was close and we did experience the horizontal rain.

It was a big reason we moved to the Villages in the Summer of 2005. The Villages is pretty fair inland from hurricane threats from the West or the East.

[Randall55]

You obviously haven’t lived in Florida very long. It’s what you do to escape the never ending “news” cycle. Prepare, then have a party! Done ✅ Ihave llived in Florida all my life. I know many people who lost their homes, their jobs/income, and a few who lost their lives. I have seen hurricanes make a last minute turn and catch people off guard. People who do not heed warnings and surf in the waters only to get killed by the rip current. People who chose to stay outside for a better view and a tree falls on them, killing them instantly. Power lines that have fallen onto the roads and electrocuting individuals. People who choose to drive and die when they do not correctly guess how deep the water is. Floods in neighborhoods where people have to be evacuated by boat. Debris blown everywhere hitting and injuring those who did not remain inside. Doors and windows shattered and blown open. Roofs torn off and water leaking into homes. Trees uprooted and falling on cars and homes. Tornados and water spouts, weeks without power, I can go on and on.

Forgive me if I choose to remain sober and alert. But, the choice is always yours to make.

[Vermilion Villager]

The track of the storm appears to be consistent over the last few days. What is new is the national hurricane center is predicting this will be a category 3 or higher come Wednesday morning and make landfall as a category 2 hurricane.
With the record high gulf water temperatures everybody pretty much needs to strap in for this season… It's going to be a wild one!

[Randall55]

Don’t know what to tell you. Last year some headed away from the cone and went to Ft Myers - didn’t work out well. I haven’t been here 18 years but three or four hurricanes under our belt plus tales of the Villages leads me to believe this is the place I want to be.

The concern about power and trees makes sense… if there were raised power lines and large trees near homes here. I’m still feeling pretty good here.

Gas? Seems like human nature. A hurricane gets named and people run to the pumps. Wish it wasn’t that way but… I think you may be missing my point. People who live in Tampa area would not go to Ocala/Villages to evacuate. The roads out are policed and you are given which direction to travel. It is a very organized process. Last year, traffic was directed to drive north up the coast line. I can't imagine anyone went toward Ft Meyers because they would have been stopped and directed to go another direction. The possibility of having thousands and thousands of cars on the highways is dangerous and some people may run out of gas. Each area is told what day and time to evacuate to avoid this. Ocala/Villages is not an area we are ever told to go. It doesn't make sense to go there. However, relatives and friends of Villagers probably head that direction before mandatory evacuations are announced. This is allowed.

The other reason the roads are policed is to allow emergency trucks easy entrance into the state once the hurricane has moved on. If everyone is returning on I-75, this would make that impossible.This is why people are directed to head to an area outside of the Weather Station cone.

[kbogli]

Be prepared for anything, last years hurricane was forcaste to hit Tampa Bay and our Area to get 15" of rain, well within hours neither of these happened and everything went futher south.
Everyone stay safe!

[njbchbum]

Prepare, be cautious don't panic! When Irma hit the winds and rain were fierce. Power outages in T.V. were scattered but for the most part the newer areas where the infa-structure was underground didn't ever lose it. Yes, there were trees and branches down. I'd say use common sense and watch/listen when possible. I tend not to keep my focus on any of the "news" outlets as it will feed into fear and worry. Yes, I do pay attention!! BUT there's a difference! The 24/7 loop on "news" isn't healthy---with the weather, with politics, with any kind of ________(fill in the blank).

Wow! For the most part the historic Villages - where power lines are ALSO underground - took one heck of a hit BECAUSE its power substation went down - for days! The other Villages survived because their substations did not go down! There's no guarantees on that - new or older Villages!

[neilbcox]

What about Lake County…We live in the Village of Newell which is in Lake County but zero warnings????:faint::faint:

[Randall55]

Wow! For the most part the historic Villages - where power lines are ALSO underground - took one heck of a hit BECAUSE its power substation went down - for days! The other Villages survived because their substations did not go down! There's no guarantees on that - new or older Villages!

Utilities being underground are not immune to power outages. I have been through many hurricanes and have suffered, sometimes for weeks, without power. Each time, I lived in a fairly new home with the utilities underground. Sometimes the grid is blown, sometimes towers are down, sometimes lines have fallen, sometimes the power is manually shut off by the electric company to avoid severe damage. Power will not be restored in an area until it is safe to do so.

I will admit that I was not living in the Villages when the historic side took a hard blow. I am guessing flooding was the major issue and the power was not restored until the water issue was addressed. It can happen anywhere, folks! Don't ever believe you are immune. A hurricane doesn't care if you live in a new home. Mother nature isn't that choosy.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

Did anyone lose WiFi service from Spectrum or Xfinity last time? New here, and not sure what the probability is that we’ll be without Wifi. Without it we won’t have our streaming services. I get that we will lose it if we lose power, but if we lose power I will be too miserable from the heat/humidity to care about WiFi and television.

first, put your modem/network equipment on a UPS and you will have at least some time to check the internet for information. turn it off when not using it to check at a later time.

second, that's when a laptop is at its best with its own battery. .

third, buy an inverter which can run from your car to the UPS / to the modem/router, etc for power to check to see that the world is still here. .

These are the cheap ways to keep some access to the outside world in the modern digital world

good luck everyone. .

[Bill14564]

I think you may be missing my point. People who live in Tampa area would not go to Ocala/Villages to evacuate. The roads out are policed and you are given which direction to travel. It is a very organized process. Last year, traffic was directed to drive north up the coast line. I can't imagine anyone went toward Ft Meyers because they would have been stopped and directed to go another direction. …

I can’t speak to your imagination, I can only say that St Pete people DID come to stay with me in the Villages. I don’t remember them telling stories of running roadblocks either.

As for Ft Myers.. only anecdotal but I heard of that too.

[Randall55]

I can’t speak to your imagination, I can only say that St Pete people DID come to stay with me,in the Villages. I don’t remember them telling stories of running roadblocks either.

As for Ft Myers.. only anecdotal but I heard of that too. If you read my post I said. Perhaps, some friends and relatives went to the Villages BEFORE mandatory evacuations. This is allowed.

I lived in the St Pete area, Clearwater Beach, to be precise. If you do not believe we were policed off that causeway, then you are highly mistaken.

Maybe your friends took a route that did not need to be policed, maybe they left at an earlier time, maybe they snuck around it, maybe they showed officers your address and they were permitted to go through, maybe there wasn't enough manpower to enforce, maybe they ignored the warnings, a lot of MAYBES!

However, I assure you. Mandatory evacuations are well-organized. If they were not, people would be panicking,, highways would be bumper to bumper traffic, and without direction some people, not knowing better, would drive right into the storm.

I have been evacuated off the beach many times. If you choose to believe or not believe me, that choice is yours. All I ask is that you not insinuate that I have an imagination that runs over time. You do not know me, what I have experienced, or my mentality, to make such accusations. I could easily rip into your post as you have done to mine. I do not feel the need to do so. I ask for the same respect in return.

[spinner1001]

What about Lake County…We live in the Village of Newell which is in Lake County but zero warnings????:faint::faint:

For official local (county) weather information, go to the website of the the National Weather Service. Type in your location and your local NWS forecast office will come up. For Sumter County, it is the NWS Tampa Bay office. For Lake County, it is NWS Melbourne office.

What you ask is on the NWS local office website.

[Bill14564]

If you read my post I said. Perhaps, some friends and relatives went to the Villages BEFORE mandatory evacuations. This is allowed.

I lived in the St Pete area, Clearwater Beach, to be precise. If you do not believe we were policed off that causeway, then you are highly mistaken.

Maybe your friends took a route that did not need to be policed, maybe they left at an earlier time, maybe they snuck around it, maybe they showed officers your address and they were permitted to go through, maybe there wasn't enough manpower to enforce, maybe they ignored the warnings, a lot of MAYBES!

However, I assure you. Mandatory evacuations are well-organized. If they were not, people would be panicking,, highways would be bumper to bumper traffic, and without direction some people, not knowing better, would drive right into the storm.

I have been evacuated off the beach many times. If you choose to believe or not believe me, that choice is yours. All I ask is that you not insinuate that I have an imagination that runs over time. You do not know me, what I have experienced, or my mentality, to make such accusations. I could easily rip into your post as you have done to mine. I do not feel the need to do so. I ask for the same respect in return.

DURING the mandatory evacuation, AFTER it was announced, and NO roadblocks. Different people, different roads, different experiences, that’s to be expected.

If I post something clearly wrong or make a broad generalization that just isn’t true then please let me know (though you might need to get in line - I have a few “friends” who keep me straight)

[Randall55]

DURING the mandatory evacuation, AFTER it was announced, and NO roadblocks. Different people, different roads, different experiences, that’s to be expected.

If I post something clearly wrong or make a broad generalization that just isn’t true then please let me know (though you might need to get in line - I have a few “friends” who keep me straight) I understand. No hard feelings.

[SallyB]

So three channels are posting a Hurricane Watch for Sumter until Saturday 11:15pm. No prediction of rain amounts yet.

Wondering if news is just being cautious.
Can we not go and buy out all the water.
Save it for the people who have wells. Here in The Villages we rarely lose power and if we did the water still works. People who use wells will be without water if they lose power.
Be Kind

[Byte1]

Not to belittle the danger of a hurricane BUT, we live in a bubble that seems to have the luck of being mostly bypassed or skirted by the most severe portions of the storms. One positive aspect of hysterical storm warnings is that the local businesses do great business. I've had lawn furniture in my birdcage that didn't even move when a hurricane went over us a few years ago. I have seen a couple trees down and a few homes that had some missing roof shingles. I have to admit that I did fill the tub up with water "just in case" in prep for one of the storms. The worse storm we have had here (since moving here) I sat up all night watching the news on TV to see how long before I would lose cable. Never lost my cable service and finally went to be at 7am when the storm had passed and move on North. Not shrugging the danger off, just not getting hysterical either. There's always that one time when it really could be a disaster. Kind of like the one time you really need to have that seat belt on to save your life. If you live in Florida or the Carolinas, it's probably good to be prepared for a storm or two.

[kkingston57]

Which Insurance Companies will leave next?

Good ?. On the bright side this storm will probably hit the least populated part of Florida. Damages can be high as building construction is less wind resistant than buildings on the coast.

[kkingston57]

OK but not sure of your point.

They will be buying gas and other necessities which could create a short term shortage of some items. Could also fill up hotels in TV.

[kkingston57]

We are not the ones who need to get out of harm's way usually. Unless a tornado is involved and it is hard to plan for those.

We may lose power for a day or two but usually some of the surrounding areas have homes that are without power a lot longer.

The developers picked a great area here in Florida to set up the Villages. We are pretty safe except for from tornadoes and lightning strikes.

Hurricanes/weather were the last thing the developers thought about. They liked an abundance of cheap land.

[kkingston57]

Geez people, tis the season! and the height of hurricane season is from the middle of august through the middle of september. .

current forecast in Tampa is a 4-7 ft storm surge surge, which is insurance company hammering. . for lots of very expense waterfront homes..

which insurance company will remain is the real question!

Citizens will remain. At this rate they might be the only company left.

[Normal]

We may get high winds once in a while, but the real killer storm surge will never reach us.

[rustyp]

Not to belittle the danger of a hurricane BUT, we live in a bubble that seems to have the luck of being mostly bypassed or skirted by the most severe portions of the storms. One positive aspect of hysterical storm warnings is that the local businesses do great business. I've had lawn furniture in my birdcage that didn't even move when a hurricane went over us a few years ago. I have seen a couple trees down and a few homes that had some missing roof shingles. I have to admit that I did fill the tub up with water "just in case" in prep for one of the storms. The worse storm we have had here (since moving here) I sat up all night watching the news on TV to see how long before I would lose cable. Never lost my cable service and finally went to be at 7am when the storm had passed and move on North. Not shrugging the danger off, just not getting hysterical either. There's always that one time when it really could be a disaster. Kind of like the one time you really need to have that seat belt on to save your life. If you live in Florida or the Carolinas, it's probably good to be prepared for a storm or two.

You would not think you live in a bubble if you lived near Mallory Country Club Feb 2 2007.

[kkingston57]

What about Lake County…We live in the Village of Newell which is in Lake County but zero warnings????:faint::faint:

We live in Sumter. Lake and Marion Counties are less than 1/2 mile away. Someone had to draw a line. Lake has a hurricane watch and Sumter has a hurricane warning. Some counties are 40 miles wide and that 40 miles can make a huge difference.

[asianthree]

Asian ....watch the news starting today. Whole different ballgame. DO NOT take this lightly.

We have been in TV since 2007, so not first rodeo. The tornado that did damage to Mallory, went directly through our property, build had not started, So no damage since not even lumber had been dropped yet.

We were here for Irma

It just the nonstop info, over and over. Guessing there are some who need drilling of info, in case they forget 10 minutes ago.

Our northern home had multiple destructive tornadoes every summer. We had damage, daughter lost part of her house, and most of their neighborhood was leveled, you deal with it, I just don’t obsess over it.

Not like I can change the outcome of what ever happens, or maybe I can put out a Hedge of Protection around our house, like Mary did for her family on Young Sheldon.

[asianthree]

Did anyone lose WiFi service from Spectrum or Xfinity last time? New here, and not sure what the probability is that we’ll be without Wifi. Without it we won’t have our streaming services. I get that we will lose it if we lose power, but if we lose power I will be too miserable from the heat/humidity to care about WiFi and television.

We haven’t ever lost power in TV at any of our homes, WiFi got zapped by lightning, just took the box next day and back up and running. We have WiFi in our car, during acts of weather, company doesn’t charge for the hours used.

[JMintzer]

I've lived in hurricane country for a long time. Obviously the big threats are flooding and wind damage mostly due to falling trees and power lines. The Villages has few large trees around homes and few vulnerable power poles, minimizing wind damage except for that to our buildings themselves but they are designed to withstand a lot of wind. Flooding is another matter. I saw what happened to the lower areas around Orlando last year. I don't think TV is as likely to flood that bad except maybe the areas south of 44.

Why? South of 44 has the same flood prevention designs as the areas from 466 down to 44...

[tophcfa]

Won’t be at our Village’s home until a few days after this storm passes, but was there for both Irma and Ian. The worst part about those storms was that the sports pools and golf courses get closed. The pools open within a couple days, after the storm debris is removed from the water, but the golf courses can be closed for a long time, especially Evans Prairie, Belle Glade, and the Palms at Hacienda Hills : (

[asianthree]

Hurricanes/weather were the last thing the developers thought about. They liked an abundance of cheap land.

The developer thought very long and hard about the ability to move water, to keep your house dry.

Last hurricane, tunnels were flooded, our pond was up by 15-20 feet, it crested the top but never did it reach our home. Why because they ran every sprinkler on every common area, and every golf course to remove as quickly as possible the water, before it reached homes. Courses were flooded but not our home.

[Boston1945]

Been here for over 60 years. Please remember when and if the traffic lights go out they become a four-way stop sign.

[Bogie Shooter]

Been here for over 60 years. Please remember when and if the traffic lights go out they become a four-way stop sign.

Did you buy one of those lots by mail order in 1963?


Harold Schwartz, a Michigan businessman, began selling land tracts via mail order in The Villages area in the 1960s. He and his business partner, Al Tarrson, were forced to close this aspect of the business following the implementation of a 1968 federal law banning real estate sales by mail order

[CoachKandSportsguy]

TROPICAL STORM IDALIA (https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_at5+shtml/175343.shtml?rainqpf#contents)

Rain forecast looks fairly reasonable at 2-4 inches at the moment,

TROPICAL STORM IDALIA (https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_at5+shtml/175343.shtml?tswind120#contents)

Wind looks somewhere between 40-70 mph, the bands are narrow and the map is small. .

[I'm Popeye!]

all this and not one mention of a hurricane party..... totally disappointing

This joke is getting old, as it has been told for many years..

[I'm Popeye!]

Can we not go and buy out all the water.
Save it for the people who have wells. Here in The Villages we rarely lose power and if we did the water still works. People who use wells will be without water if they lose power.
Be Kind

Good One, Hahahaha! :a20:

[Stu from NYC]

The developer thought very long and hard about the ability to move water, to keep your house dry.

Last hurricane, tunnels were flooded, our pond was up by 15-20 feet, it crested the top but never did it reach our home. Why because they ran every sprinkler on every common area, and every golf course to remove as quickly as possible the water, before it reached homes. Courses were flooded but not our home.

Brilliantly engineered the removal of water to prevent floods. My hat is off to the engineers who designed this system.

[ashiecat1954]

I am not someone who will celebrate someone's misfortune. Not that I am holier than thou, it doesn't feel appropriate.

A hurricane party is for those riding out a hurricane - i.e. might as well get drunk and have a good time before you die in the hurricane NOT to celebrate the fact that it either passed you by or you survived it. There is absolutely NO celebrating someone else's misfortune, so nothing really inappropriate happening.

[MandoMan]

So three channels are posting a Hurricane Watch for Sumter until Saturday 11:15pm. No prediction of rain amounts yet.

Wondering if news is just being cautious.

The correct word is not cautious, but ALARMIST. They will always make things sound much worse than they are. They will show you videos of the worst place in town, not the average.The goal of TV news—and weather—is to keep you watching, as that’s what establishes what they can charge advertisers. I recommend the online site Weather Underground, which is less alarmist than The Weather Channel and posts the government weather forecasts.

[Jerseygirl08]

Can we not go and buy out all the water.
Save it for the people who have wells. Here in The Villages we rarely lose power and if we did the water still works. People who use wells will be without water if they lose power.
Be Kind
I am amazed at how many people run to Walmart/Publix to load up on groceries when a hurricane warning is announced here. Wondering . . . do they want more food to spoil should we lose power? Are they going to cook a Thanksgiving meal? Will they drink 27 gallons of water/day? We are only affected for about 2-3 days. And gas, are they expecting to drive to the Keys, to Memphis? I don't get it. Why and how have Americans become so self indulged? Why would a couple need 5 cases of water which ... in turn ... would leave the shelves empty for the next couple? Human nature amazes me.

[margaretmattson]

I am amazed at how many people run to Walmart/Publix to load up on groceries when a hurricane warning is announced here. Wondering . . . do they want more food to spoil should we lose power? Are they going to cook a Thanksgiving meal? Will they drink 27 gallons of water/day? We are only affected for about 2-3 days. And gas, are they expecting to drive to the Keys, to Memphis? I don't get it. Why and how have Americans become so self indulged? Why would a couple need 5 cases of water which ... in turn ... would leave the shelves empty for the next couple? Human nature amazes me. Many people in the Villages eat out every night. They buy food because their cupboards are empty. Some people are hosting family/relatives who had to evacuate from the coast. Some people recognize there will be some damage in TV and buy food for a couple of days and stay home until everything is cleared. Some people are kind and take care of neighbors who are ill, disabled, or for whatever reason are unable to take care of themselves. Americans I know are not self-indulged. Instead they come together when the community needs help.

Gas is important if the storm suddenly makes an unexpected shift and it is obvious it is coming at you. This happens often! If it does, you now have a small window of time to get out of Dodge. Depending on the damage/flooding, you may not be able to return for a few days. Gas is also used for generators. Some of the generators being used are in hospitals, fire stations, stores, etc. etc. Shortage on gas is possible.

[Stu from NYC]

The correct word is not cautious, but ALARMIST. They will always make things sound much worse than they are. They will show you videos of the worst place in town, not the average.The goal of TV news—and weather—is to keep you watching, as that’s what establishes what they can charge advertisers. I recommend the online site Weather Underground, which is less alarmist than The Weather Channel and posts the government weather forecasts.

Think your right, make things sound worse so people keep the news on and worry with the result the news station gets higher ratings and makes more money.

[Escape Artist]

So three channels are posting a Hurricane Watch for Sumter until Saturday 11:15pm. No prediction of rain amounts yet.

Wondering if news is just being cautious.

As of 2 pm today (Tuesday), it looks like we are going to dodge the bullet.

[Byte1]

I hope we get SOME rain. Seems like lately every time the forecast rain, it passes over us and we get a sprinkle IF any at all. Oh well, I better go out and do some yard work, just in case.

[Velvet]

Many people in the Villages eat out every night. They buy food because their cupboards are empty. Some people are hosting family/relatives who had to evacuate from the coast. Some people recognize there will be some damage in TV and buy food for a couple of days and stay home until everything is cleared. Some people are kind and take care of neighbors who are ill, disabled, or for whatever reason are unable to take care of themselves. Americans I know are not self-indulged. Instead they come together when the community needs help.

Gas is important if the storm suddenly makes an unexpected shift and it is obvious it is coming at you. This happens often! If it does, you now have a small window of time to get out of Dodge. Depending on the damage/flooding, you may not be able to return for a few days. Gas is also used for generators. Some of the generators being used are in hospitals, fire stations, stores, etc. etc. Shortage on gas is possible.

Yes, and you can suction gas out of car tank into generator if needed.

[NoMoSno]

Yes, and you can suction gas out of car tank into generator if needed.
Not really. All modern cars have baffles to prevent siphoning.

[Bjeanj]

Remember that a lot of the people on the Gulf Coast of Florida over by Cedar Key, New Port Richey, Clearwater, Palm Harbor,Tarpon Springs, Sarasota, Homostassa Springs come inland to get away from the storm. They come to around this way.
Florida State Map | USA | Detailed Maps of Florida (FL) (https://ontheworldmap.com/usa/state/florida/)

The big worry here are tornadoes.

Word is, Jim Cantore headed to Cedar Key. If true, WHAT WAS HE THINKING!

[Velvet]

Not really. All modern cars have baffles to prevent siphoning.

I have the equipment (very narrow hose) to bypass that feature on my car but it depends on what type of anti-siphon you have in yours. The cart tank is easy.

[Normal]

A better nomenclature: Hurricane Nothingburger

[CoachKandSportsguy]

A better nomenclature: Hurricane Nothingburger

here maybe, the storm surge being higher than IRMA will result in a lot of damage to existing structures. . the height of the water is just mind boggling.

but the storm has made landfall, big event. . :blahblahblah:
so back to regularly scheduled activities today and for the rest of the week.

[Michael 61]

This was my first time ever under hurricane warning - interesting to have watched how the weather channel and local news reported this over the previous days. As a newbie, I didn’t know what to expect, but trusted what others here in TV told me, who have been down this road countless times. In my short time here, I’ve seen “regular” storms with more impact than what we ended up with here in Sumter County.

[Stu from NYC]

So still waiting on the hurricane.

[asianthree]

This was my first time ever under hurricane warning - interesting to have watched how the weather channel and local news reported this over the previous days. As a newbie, I didn’t know what to expect, but trusted what others here in TV told me, who have been down this road countless times. In my short time here, I’ve seen “regular” storms with more impact than what we ended up with here in Sumter County.

Thank goodness this was fast moving…Should have been here for Michael and Irma.. we have 68 DVDs…it wasn’t enough :girlneener: