The report from our location here in Punta Gorda today is a bright blue skies , cool temps and calm winds. Perfect weather. However, our spirits are severly dampened by the destruction and misery just to the south and east of us. The loss of possessions, including homes, is great, but also very large is the loss of crops and employment for a vast portion of our population here in southern Florida. It is a blow from which there is no easy or quick fix. For many, the suffering has only begun. henry
10:53 Monday AM We are OK. Fierce wind and rain. 5.5 inches. No structural damage to our mobile home. Whew....More post soon, ..............henry and pat
I've noticed that I've become hurricane weary recently. Here is a quote from today's Charlotte Sun newspaper.
"For the ninth time in the past 14 months, the entire area is under a hurricane watch, which mean hurricane-force winds in excess of 75 mile per hour are likely to reach the area within 36 hours."
Now I know why...............smile. henry and pat
8:15 PM We've had some hard rain between 5 and 6 PM but it is not raining now. We are expecting that Monday morning, that is 12PM and before 9PM, we will receive 3 to 7 inches of rain and winds up to 65 miles per hour. The eye of the storm will be south of us, probably centered on Marco Island, in Collier County.
We have completed our preparations and are buttoned up and are hunkering down.
Here is what we looked like this morning just after sunrise.
Technical difficulties. New computer, new program. Pictures are not showing.
Anyway, right now we are just waiting for Wilma to make landfall. We'll have some excitment between now and daylight tomorrow, no doubt. I hope to have pictures for you then.
Eleanor, our next door neighbor, is staying over in her home. I showed her how to use her car clicker to flash the car lights and honk the horn if she needs assistance. She is not alone.
Janet Walker is staying in her home. There are about a dozen mobile homes in the park that are occupied tonight. Some of the residents have gone to a motel for overnight.
Good night, henry and pat
Sunday 2PM Sunny and Clear here in Punta Gorda. Pictures and info after 7PM today......henry
Wilma forces local Punta Gorda resident to reopen his Curious Mind Blog.
The cone of possible landfall for Wilma is now (10:20 PM Sat night) between Charlotte Harbor and Marco Island. As our present location here in Alligator Park is between those two locations the chances of us having some tough weather between now and Monday night is very good.
I will be sending an email to as many email addresses as I believe to be interested telling them the conditions at that time and asking them to check this blog thereafter. Remember, each of you can leave comments after you visit this blog, so you can express your feelings and concerns. But I only have to post here to connect with a large number of people.
I expect to post pictures as the day progesses tomorrow, and also will try to post video clips that you can download and show to your friends and neighbors, if you wish. Our new storm door has a window in it so I can stay in the house and shoot video of Eleanor's trees and shrubs which will give you an idea of what's happening here in Punta Gorda.
Pat and I do not feel in any physical danger. This mobile home stood solid through Charley, and it is now sporting an improved roof, shutters, storm door and additional plywood and vinyl siding. I estimate that the wind would have to exceed 160 miles an hour before it begins to be dangerous for us. Lying down on the bathroom floor we would probably be physicall safe, (scared to hell), up to 200 mph windspeed. Overall I count us as safe right here.
Further posts starting after day light tomorrow..........henry and pat
