Erica. Anyone worried about this?
 

https://www.facebook.com/martiesaltw...06155042959353

We used to live in Palm Harbor and it seemed to be the target of all 2004 hurricanes that passed through Florida back then. I do hope the Villages' luck with these storms continues.


https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/eri...06155042959353

I moved from Largo, Fl to here partly because of the hurricanes. Although they can pass thru here I think a good indication of our risk is the price of property insurance. for a similar priced home in Largo I paid three times what I pay here.

I don't put much stock in these evacuation zones. One side of the street is A and the other is B. Sat out dora in 64, no problem as it passed right over us. Same with Floyd in the 90's.

Cross fingers, Erika is going to South Carolina.[/U]If you are prepared, there is no reason to be afraid or too concerned. For people with pets, find out which hotels accept pets. Check Orlando and tampa since you won't know which Way to go until the day or so before. Houses are houses. FamilY and pets are what is important. If you have a neighbor with mobility issues, Introduce your self and see if help is needed. Hurricanes do not sneak up on you. The weather people will give you lots Of notice.

I don't panic till they reach cat 4 and up.

Thank you. I think the city girl had much more to do with her unhappiness than hurricanes. The picture she used says a lot.

After going through several Midwestern tornado's, I am wary of any destructive weather. However, from talking to some neighbors, there's no need to worry much about hurricanes in central Florida, just possible spin-off tornado's. I've been reading up a lot on the Florida aquifers and the water "experts" say we need hurricanes to replenish the diminishing water supply in the aquifers. It's like a double-edge sword.

I doubt that person was ever here in the first place. As for Erika, I'm not alarmed considering her track and south to north path. But I realize that regardless of path and projections, we must keep tabs on any named storm. And I look for the European models projection, that one has proven time and again to be reliable. As reliable as any can possibly be.

Am I missing something here? Why would you leave TV to go to Orlando or Tampa? A hurricane off the Atlantic should have about the same impact in all three places, and would probably be downgraded to a tropical storm by the time it reaches TV anyway

I have lived in central Florida for over 50 years and lived through lots of hits and close calls. Depending on where the hurricane enters the state, the damage and power outages differ. The year Florida took four direct hits, the Orlando area was out of power for weeks. Tampa area was not. Power outages wreck havoc on ones lives in Florida since hurricane season is during the hot months. I stand by my statement. Be prepared. Go Or stay behind. Your choice. People with pets need to know where they are welcome. Most shelters will not allow animals.

Thank you.

THIS is where people come to be safe.
 

The Villages is so far inland that hurricanes tend to be reduced to tropical storm strength by the time they travel that far across land.

Hurricane preparation means having adequate food and water on hand, along with all needed medications, and a means of preparing the food if your stove becomes unavailable. Also have FLASHLIGHTS, candles, etc. for illumination if electricity is lost.

In Tampa, where I have an electric stove, not gas as in TV, I have a propane gas BBQ and a Coleman Camp stove for cooking, a Coleman Lamp (and flashlights, candles and oil lamps) for light, and in the past when I have lost electricity I sat out on the porch to keep cool when air conditioning was not available.

BRING IN TRASH CANS, LAWN ORNAMENTS and other items which might be blown about and present a hazard to people and property.

Keep this in mind.........the place where you live is where people in danger from Hurricanes (coastal areas) come to be safe.

When we first moved to the Tampa area in 2004, yes ... bad timing with the hurricanes which came up thru the Gulf, a good friend of mine from South Florida, who lived thru Andrew, told me to keep a good amount of $1 bills on hand. If electricity would go out, you have small bills to buy things you may need. Stores may not be able to make a lot of change in the event of a bad storm, if banks would be forced to close. Thought I would pass this on to all of you as it makes great sense.

The Villages is a safe place
 

:beer3: I agree The Villages is where "they" come for safety from hurricanes. Nothing to worry about---get your neighbors together and party!:2excited:

We went through Andrew, 1 mile from the coast south of Miami. I can tell you, do not let the hypesters here in Central Florida rattle you. Cat 1 or 2 or 3 this far inland is a rain event with a breeze. Stock up on water, flashlights, beer, wine, and liquor and have an extra gas tank available for the grill. You will be fine!!

When it comes to weather expect the unexpected..that's the thing about mother nature never a dull moment

Has anyone experienced extended loss of electric in the villages during a storm? I'm thinking about getting a generator for Erika.

More than 50% of the current population of TV has not been here since the last hurricane to hit FL.

Be prepared for the rush to get gasoline, water and batteries. We have experienced complete wipe outs of most stores and statins in the area. The good news....there are more stores and stations.

On the other hand there are 50,000++ more people as well!

And thank God none of the storms we have been here for never materialized into much more than a lot of rain.....as in A LOT OF RAIN.

NYGUY Thats exactly what we did down in the Keys spider tie the boat in the middle of the canal buy 4 cases of beer 3 half gallons of whisky maybe some wine crackers and go back to sleep.

Information on Erica.
 

Tropical Storm ERIKA

Here's a good link.

Worried? No.

I lived in Largo in the Tampa Bay area during all the hurricanes. Our power was out for about 5 days. It was not pleasant. People actually cheered when electric crews made it to their areas. another time a tropical storm caused more damage than any hurricanes. the difference for me is that if that happens here I can pack the animals and head somewhere there is power until it's restored here. back then I was an "essential" health care employee and expected to be at work no matter what.

Thank God, another Florida Hurricane Veteran..:beer3:

Woodford is on sale. Is this a one or two bottle storm?

One if it stays over the peninsula (land will drain it), two if it stays over water (can pick up more energy and rain).

Worked in resorts in the Keys and a storm came in it took about 30 hours to close up and cost a lot of of money . In 2004 when mainland got hit I use to draw a line on the map where the storm would go.We closed up three times and lost a lot of money . Every time I was with in 50 miles where it would go. Finally the GM came out for the fourth one put the map on my desk said where is this one going I drew the line and the GM said OK we dont have to close D---(my name) says it will go around us. Just a little side story. Hurricanes are much better than tornado's but this isnt a cane(short for hurricane. Bob Marley said Dont worry bout a ting cause every little ting gonna be alright

My 6 decade experience in Florida tells me the very best place to be is in the center of the predicted strike cone....................because it rarely hits there.
Storms usually take an unexpected turn at the last minute. The last storm that hit Florida was Wilma in 2005. It was suppose to travel up the west coast of Florida but took a turn inland around Ft Meyers and crossed the state and exited the state at Boynton beach in the W Palm area. This storm picked up intensity while going 160 miles across the state. It was large enough for it to cover the Gulf and Atlantic at once. The eye passed over my home in Boynton Bch. and during the calm of the eye all the neighbors came out to talk. Shortly later we could see the eye wall in the distance coming towards us and everyone ran inside.

Too early to know where it's going to go. Looks like to me heading for gulf before it turns? Once it turns then time to worry?

How do people find out what shelters allow pets? I have an idea of what hotels/motels accept pets but what direction does one go? First storm, just trying to be well prepared. Thanks in advance for any input.

I seldom worry about things that I have no control over.

Erica. Anyone worried about this?
 

My guess is you've never taken a direct hit from a hurricane.

The general rule of thumb is shelters do not allow critters.

xcaligirl - hope this helps -

Evacuation & Shelters | Sumter County, FL - Official Website
◦ South Sumter High School
706 N. Main St., SR 475
Bushnell, FL 33513
◦Only pet-friendly shelter. All pets must be crated.

Where Lake County’s shelters are located and what to bring along - Lake County Hurricane Preparedness Web Guide
From that site - "The shelters listed below are equipped to serve those residents who have registered with the County’s special-needs program, and these shelters also accept pets with up-to-date rabies vaccinations. Pets brought to these “pet-friendly” shelters must be crated, and owners must have the required paperwork with them"

Emergency Management Division | Marion County Sheriff
Website will post shelter location info when necessary.

I am a little concerned how the media is hyping this as a "dangerous" and "killer storm" approaching FL....with forecasted winds of 30 to 40 mph!!!!!!

We get that in our daily thunderstorms. I WAS SHOCKED TO HEAR THE STATE OF fl DECLARED IN A STATE OF EMERGENCY?!? The descriptions and emotions being drummed up are the same as we get when there is a cat 2-4 headed this way.

I do not think the media performs a service when they over hype to assure audience following.

Erica. Anyone worried about this?
 

I've been through numerous hurricanes and would caution others to be very careful. Here is the list of FL hurricanes since 2000.
The period from 2000 to the present was marked by several devastating North Atlantic hurricanes; as of 2013, 63 tropical or subtropical cyclones have affected the U.S. state of Florida. Collectively, cyclones in Florida over that period resulted in over $100 billion in damage[10][11] (2008 USD). Additionally, tropical cyclones in Florida were responsible for 69 direct fatalities and at least 80 indirect ones during the period. Eight cyclones affected the state in both 2003 and 2005, which were the years with the most tropical cyclones impacting the state. Every year included at least one tropical cyclone affecting the state.

The strongest hurricane to hit the state during the period was Hurricane Charley, which was the strongest hurricane to strike the United States since Hurricane Andrew. Additionally, Hurricanes Jeanne, Dennis, Wilma, and Hurricane Ivan made landfall on the state as major hurricanes, although Katrina was just a Category 1 when it made landfall.

Note the last hurricane. Katrina made landfall in Mississippi but also had hurricane force winds when it hit FL.

Better safe then sorry?

Good info. Thanks for doing the research.

You're welcome VJ. It probably wouldn't hurt for the Admin to make the websites an informational sticky on TOTV.

If she does travel S to N, Crossing that much land will slow her considerably and exhaust a lot of the water. Have lived an hour N of here for over 40 years. Not worried.
Only once did we have a hurricane stall overhead for a few days and cause flooding, trees down and loss of power. Feel better?
Hmmm, better get a fresh propane tank...