Hurricane Frances

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-31-2004
Hurricane Frances
69
Wed, 09-01-2004 - 10:02pm
I know that hurricanes have been talked about recently but I thought I would start a post as I didnt realize that Frances was this bad. I called my parents tonight and they filled me in on the details since they get the Florida news. They said that their news is saying that this could possibly be the worst hurricane to hit the States. Its so large that right now, it would span from the Keys to Georgia.

My parents have been staying on Merritt Island to housesit, as you all know. They are leaving in the morning since they are under mandatory evacuation again. They are being told to be out by 2 PM since they are predicting it will hit land where they are staying. They are gonna follow their close friends on the evvacuation, who live on Merritt Island as well. Her husband is bed ridden and doesnt travel well at all. So my parents are gonna follow them as far as they can and then head to Mississippi for my sister's. The cat they are keeping will be joining the neighbors on their evac since they will have to come back to Florida. My parents were leaving in a week anyhow to spend some time with my sister and then come back home (here) for the winter. So they wont be returning and Dad is afraid there wont be much to come back to anyhow. Everyone in the retirement trailer park are definitely leaving this time. The news said that their area is expecting 18 foot surges!

So for those that are in Florida or who have family there...my thoughts are with you. If you have family, please call them to see what their plans are. Im sure this will greatly effect several states, so I will keep you in my thoughts as well. I plan to be watching alot of the weather in the next few days.


Edited 9/1/2004 10:04 pm ET ET by pickle_puss

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Avatar for ari_elle
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-10-2003
Thu, 09-02-2004 - 3:05am
I never thought I would have family to worry about where hurricanes are concerned, (we're all from California!) but my parents are retired RVers traveling the countryside. They had stayed back in Mississippi for a few extra days to avoid Charley before traveling through Florida, and have since made their way back from the Keys. Mom says tonight they are in Savannah, GA and plan to head inland before visiting my oldest daughter who lives in Fayetteville, NC, where it hasn't stopped raining for quite awhile.

My best to everyone in that part of the country. I have a feeling the whole of the Southeast is in for a rough ride.

Prayers and positive thoughts to all!!

Elle

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-08-2003
Thu, 09-02-2004 - 8:22am
My whole family is in Florida, East and WEst coast. My brother and his daughters are heading to my folks (in Tampa), but this storm is so darn big that I think the whole state will be hit w/bad weather. My brother has already boarded up their windows (before Home Depot sold out of plywood)....he's one block from the beach :(

A friend of mine has been evacuated (my mandatory order) from Palm Beach County also.

I am so worried for all of them, and everyone else in the state. I hope everyone who might be impacted (in GA and SC, too) will be spared harm and will be in a safe place.

Dawn

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-05-2000
Thu, 09-02-2004 - 8:53am
Hope they will all be safe. I also have relatives on both coasts. My dads 2 brothers and his 2 sisters and all their kids and grandkids live there. On my moms side I have my Aunt Agnes who lives in Venice. My parents and all their families are BORN LOCALS and would never give bad directions to tourists so not all Floridians are the same. Thank goodness for that. Any way hope ALL people are safe. :-)Stephanie.


iVillage Member
Registered: 02-19-2003
Thu, 09-02-2004 - 9:05am

A lot of prayers need to be said...good vibes to be felt.



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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2004
Thu, 09-02-2004 - 3:43pm
Barry campuses in Melbourne, Merritt Island, Port St. Lucie, Stuart and Vero Beach are closed, but there is no evacuation order (as of 2pm today) for Merritt Island. Your relatives should pay attention to authorities, and not panic, not evacuate unless ordered to do so. In Hurricane Opal roads were so blocked by tourists trying to escape (who were not under evacuation order) that it could have cost a lot of lives. Tell them to follow orders, and BTW don't block phone lines because both cell and land phone lines should be left open as much as possible for emergency preparedness. Otherwise, lives are risked needlessly. Communicate with friends and relatives by internet, e-mail (if they use cable, not dial-up). It's important to follow actual evacuation orders, not clog the exit routes, not evacuate unless ordered, and not tie up phone lines during a hurricane.




Edited 9/2/2004 4:07 pm ET ET by forte10

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2004
Thu, 09-02-2004 - 4:09pm
bump
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-31-2004
Thu, 09-02-2004 - 4:22pm


Thanks Forte but....

"Brevard County officials have declared a local state of emergency. A mandatory evacuation order has been issused for the barrier islands, including Merritt Island, and for people living in the county's 29,000 mobile or manufactured homes. People also should evacuate in low-lying areas that are prone to flooding.The evacuation order begins at 2 p.m. Thursday, officials said at a news conference at about 3 p.m. today."

Ahh your right, the power of the internet!

http://www.floridatoday.com/blogs/eyeonthestorm/2004/09/mandatory-evacuation-issued-for.html

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-08-2003
Thu, 09-02-2004 - 4:22pm
You are SOOOOO wrong. All counties UP TO Volusia county are under mandatory evacuation as of daylight tomorrow.

Turn off Food Network and change to the WEather Channel.


Evacuation orders were posted for 300,000 residents in coastal areas of Palm Beach County, and nearly 200,000 were told to leave mobile homes and low-lying areas of Brevard, Martin and Indian River counties, which could be hit by tremendous ocean waves. The evacuation orders were set to take effect Thursday afternoon....this from ABC News website www.abcnews.go.com/wire/US/ap20040901_2624.html

Merritt Island is part of Brevard County.

Edited 9/2/2004 4:25 pm ET ET by two_kids


Edited 9/2/2004 4:25 pm ET ET by two_kids

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-31-2004
Thu, 09-02-2004 - 4:25pm
I heard on the weather channel that they are pretty much ordered an evacuation for most of the east coast line of Florida.
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-08-2003
Thu, 09-02-2004 - 4:27pm
I know, ESPECIALLY low lying and barrier island areas (such as Merritt Island).

My brother is heading to a shelter tomorrow, along w/his girls.

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