Men do what men do and they always will.

Just check the winds for Melbourne-estimate to have 120mph--tie a tag on your foot and write on your body with a marker how to contact next of kin--remember Harry Truman who rode out MT. St.Helens--Get out of Dodge a pound of water weights close to 8 lbs imagine a ton of water flying @120 mph--no house will survive that kind of hammer

Men care about their loved ones more than property & toys

There are old sailors, there are bold sailors--there are very few old bold sailors--the crew of the El Faro, are proof of this

We were stuck in Nassau for 30 days because there was no weather window for a safe return to Fl., when we lived on our boat.

None of my business, but WHY?????
The coastal and low lying areas are under a mandatory evacuation, you might be confronted with all lanes one way headed inland.
Even if you have a collection of Picassos there, you won't be able to save them
Regardless, be safe and good luck

My brother lives in Melbourne but is in Switzerland right now..I'm sure his native wife is worried..

Keeping phones charged is very good advise. My experience is that they won't work anyway if the towers are blown down

Going to startup and check our motor home, it has generator, propane water etc.

I can park in front of my house, hot wire the house off the genny if needed.

Most of the wind should come from the north here in TV so think about that, expect gusts to 60, you really can't stand up in winds over 70, ask why I know.

All in all we should all be fine unless the eye drifts west

How do you know? ;)

Riding it Out
 

I read of those who are planning to "ride it out". We lived on a barrier island through 3 hurricanes and is why we now live in the Villages. Friends of ours decided to ride out their condo on the 11th floor of a 17 floor condo. At the height they hid in the closet and the clothes moved from one side to the other in their 11th floor. When the eye hit they ran as fast as they could to get away. In our condo which was 9 floors one unit owner tried to ride one out and he said how scared he was and again ran as fast as he could when the eye of the hurricane arrived. What they think is "Macho" now will come to reality when they get in the line of the hurricane. When windows start to blow out, the building starts to rock, water starts to come in, etc. it is no longer a "fun ride". Oh well, there is one born everyday. :ho:

The Weather channel interviewed 3 people who live on the ocean in Cocoa Beach and plan to "ride it out".
The first said all her neighbors always ride it out and have a big party, so she plans on drinking all day
The second said he saw a bunch of utility trucks on the road, so he knows it will be OK because the state is "prepared"
The third rocket scientist said the gulf stream is offshore and he knows that it will pull Matthew out to sea! (must have majored in meteorology)

Momma always said, "Stupid is as stupid does"

I evacuated from Melbourne to TV with my mother. My hubby, DougB is in our Melbourne home to help minimize damage as it happens. Last set of hurricanes our roof caved on one side of the house. If we hadn't been there to have something catch the water coming in, we would have had greater damage. I don't like being away from him during this time. I have never seen a hurricane over Cat 2, and that is devastating. I'm praying for my Brevard family, my children and grandchildren are all there. The worst is the aftermath. I think we will be OK here.

Remember the picture of a couple walking down the street in New Orleans, they were carrying a carton with liquor ,chips, etc--they were on their way to a Katrina party--wonder if they enjoyed their stay in the super dome

My wife just went to deposit a check into BOA on 466. She could not, bank is closed someone working there said they were out of money. Good grief people... :shocked:

EPIC! :1rotfl:

That is what insurance is for, not husbands!!

Insurance
 

A good comment.