TV now a Category 2, Winds 96-110 MPH
 

Maps are now showing Irma will be a CAT 2 when it arrives in our area Winds 96-110 MPH

And latest Tracking Models = Just about a DIRECT flyover TV area. OMG. If this develops as it appears the eye could be right over us as it heads north above us.

Hang onto your roofs folks...

Remember to bring in anything that is loose outside - flower pots, knick-knacks, AND if you have name signs on the lamposts - remove and bring inside. ANYTHING loose can/wll become a projectile that could impact you or others.

irma update
 

cnn news just announced florida locations having at least 100mph winds. they identified Tampa, Orlando and "the villages" on national tv.

fyi. cell phone towers may go down. as a alternative you can download a free app from google called "hangouts" (you have to already have a free google account) the hangout app will give you a free telephone number in your phone. this app allows you to receive and make free calls via voip (voice over internet protocol). this system only works via wifi/internet , it dosnt go thru cell towers. if the cell towers go down and you can get to a wifi area you can still make calls to anyone including the contacts you already have in your phone.. please pass this on to your friends, nothing is perfect, but your chances of not being stranded are in your favor. remember, 1st res ponders are out there "after" the storm.

Remember the tornadoes that are always around all hurricanes--loaded my car getting ready to bail

Today, I removed my Direct TV dish and receiver from the roof. It was easy to do. Then, I secured the light in my entrance way with tie straps to shorten the chain to reduce the swinging motion in high winds.

If my name was TWOPLANEKID, I would be on my way to (fill in the blank)!

suggestion on where to park car for irma
 

We are renting and have no garage for our car. I am worried about it getting hit by large items. Where do you think safest place to park car is? I wish there was a parking garage somewhere

find a storage unit and put the car inside a unit

For better information, go to the national hurricane center's website. There are wind speed prediction maps for the next 5 days which includes the entire time frame of concern and lots more to see
Latest prediction at 5AM today

HURRICANE IRMA

shows a just 20-30% chance of winds of 74+ mph = cat 1
60% chance of 58+ mph
85% chance of 39+ mph

Earliest predicted arrival of high winds 8AM Sunday

Thanks. I am not good at interpreting nhc data. I hope you post again after the 2 pm advisory.

Hurricane Shelters???
 

Does anyone have any experience or know about the Hurricane Shelters in or near the Villages. Yes, we all love TV, but let's face it our homes are cheaply constructed .....I saw the damage after the tornado in 2008(?). I do know that the closest Shelter is in Wildwood.

thanks....(Hurricane Andrew survivor)

I believe Wildwood Community Center is a "Special Needs" shelter. If in Sumter County, I believe the County Fairgrounds has a shelter in Webster.

Sumter County Emergency Management – 352-6894400
Emergency Management | Sumter County, FL - Official Website

Sumter County General Population Shelters:
Webster Elementary School, 349 S Market Blvd. SR 471, Webster, FL 33597
Sumter Fairgrounds, 7620 SR 471, Webster, FL 33513 Pet-friendly shelter. All pets must be crated.
Wildwood Elementary School, 300 Huey Street, Wildwood, FL 34785
Center Hill Recreation Center, 74 S. Virginia Avenue, Center Hill, FL 33514
South Sumter High School, 706 N. Main St., SR 475, Bushnell, FL 33513


Lake County Emergency Management – 352-343-9420
AlertLake - Emergency Notification System - AlertLake

Lake County General Population Shelters:
Leesburg Elementary, 2229 South St., Leesburg
Lost Lake Elementary, 1901 Johns Lake Road, Clermont
Round Lake Elementary, 31333 Round Lake Road, Mount Dora
Treadway Elementary, 10619 Treadway School Road, Leesburg
Umatilla Elementary, 401 Lake St., Umatilla
Villages Elementary, 695 Rolling Acres Road, Lady Lake


Marion County Emergency Management – 352-732-8181
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT — Marion County Sheriff's Office

Marion County General Population Shelters:
Belleview Middle School, 10500 S.E. 36th Ave., Belleview
Lake Weir High School, 10351 S.E. Maricamp Road, Ocala
Vanguard High School, Pets, 7 N.W. 28th St. Ocala

Thank you Doctor. That was indeed helpful. I am hoping that you and Mrs. Blueash will be safe and secure.

Thanks, you always give such intelligent and needed information, much appreciated.