September 9, 2017Gronda Morin

aside Hurricane Irma Has My Undivided Attention

Image result for photos of irma on french caribbean
This is Hurricane Irma

Dear Readers, I live on the west coast of central Florida, where we who dwell here are awaiting the DIVA Storm Irma. As of Saturday afternoon (9/9/17), there are only a few more hours left before we will have to hunker down until Miss Irma passes over and then exits the state leaving behind flooded streets, debris, fallen telephone poles and trees, power outages and peoples suffering shock and loss. Most of us will be grateful to have survived another one.

Related imageThere have been some snags. There are only two main highways which are used to exit the state,  and so traffic has been bumper to bumper for too long. Tempers are frayed. At the stores there have been shortages on items like bottled water, plywood and sandbags. Numerous gas stations have run out of gas and people have been sleeping in cars while they wait for space to be made available in shelters. State officials are aware of all these issues and are taking the appropriate steps to address them.

Image result for photos of irma on french caribbeanMost of us who have lived in Florida have the basics down pretty pat. We have cars filled with gasoline, cash, plenty of books to read, our cases of bottled water; plenty of food that does not have to be refrigerated, bags of ice for coolers, batteries for lanterns, flashlights, fans, radios and candles with matches. I personally have hurricane shutters in place along with bags of kitty litter placed on the edges of the lanai. Everything in the lanai has been moved indoors except the heaviest of wicker furniture. My tub is filled with water.

I was planning to be staying with friends in Sarasota only because I’m too fearful to be alone. But one must be flexible. As I learned that Hurricane Irma would be heading in the direction of Sarasota, I made the executive decision to remain in NE Tampa, an area called New Tampa. This region is in zone X on a flood zone map, which is as good as it gets.

Image result for photos of aftermath of storm irma in tampaMy friend in Sarasota has a home in a safe enough area. While getting there would have been okay, there’s  a  pretty good chance that I could have ended up being stuck there for days.

Instead, I have another single friend who will be able to take advantage of being sheltered at my place  If it were not for the Florida summer heat, I would not even mind the inevitable lengthy power outages. Meanwhile, I’ll be drinking Prosecco with a friend as we wait out Hurricane Irma.

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SARASOTA, FL

Because my attention will be devoted to Irma, I won’t be blogging for the next couple of days.

Let’s pray that Miss Irma will be gentler on all of us than we have a right to expect. Mother nature has away of having the last word.

Here is the latest September 10th Washington Post news update as of 11:00 am ET:

“The fierce winds of Hurricane Irma regained Category 4 strength early Sunday as the storm’s eye made it to the lower Florida Keys just before 9 a.m. The massive storm already has caused hundreds of thousands of power outages across South Florida, its leading edge lashing several major population centers.”

Image result for photos of aftermath of storm irma in tampa“The National Weather Service said the storm made landfall at 9:10 a.m. on Cudjoe Key, with wind gusts reaching 130 mph. Forecasters warn that a second landfall could happen later on Sunday as Irma heads north to the U.S. mainland.”

“Officials said storm surges in the Keys could reach a devastating five to 10 feet there before the hurricane slowly proceeds up the state’s west coast.”

UPDATE ON 9/13/17

I survived Hurricane Irma just fine but I have been without power from Sunday evening (9/10/17) until the Wednesday evening of 9/13/17. It is safe to say that with the Florida heat, I have been a bit under the weather.  There are still thousands in Tampa Bay area without power, but according to our local power company, this issue should be resolved by Sunday evening (9/17/17).

It will take me a couple of days to get back to a normal schedule.

32 comments

  1. Here on WordPress and everywhere else, we will be thinking of you and hoping that you and your family will make it through all in one piece! My nephew and other relatives are in Tampa and are waiting out the storm to come. K D

    Liked by 1 person

    • Dear K.D. Dowdall,

      I have been without power since the storm started until just about an hour ago. Most of us in Tampa are relieved that the storm was not as bed as we had anticipated.

      It could have been a lot worse. I hope your nephew and other relatives are okay, as well.

      Thanks for your good wishes and Hugs, Gronda

      Like

    • Dear Renxkyoko,

      Thanks a million for your good wishes. The storm weakened by the time it reached Tampa. Damage is limited but the power outages are driving folks nuts. I just got my power back this Wednesday evening.

      Hugs, Gronda

      Like

    • Dear Crazyauntcyn,

      All is well. We here in Tampa are grateful that the storm was weakened by the time it reached central Florida. There was damage but it was limited. the power outages won’t be all resolved until about 9/17.

      Thanks a million for your good wishes and Hugs, Gronda.

      Like

    • Dear Keith,

      All is well. We here in Tampa are grateful that this storm Irma had weakened by the time it reached our area. There has been damage but not nearly what it could have been.

      My biggest inconvenience has been having to be without power for a few days.

      I have answered your email.

      Thanks for your good wishes and Hugs, Gronda

      Like

    • Dear Crustyolemothman,

      Thanks a million for your good wishes. The storm was something to behold but it ended up being weakened by the time it reached Tampa. There is damage but not as bad, as we had anticipated. I and many others are very much relieved.

      There are still too many Floridians without power. This is a problem because of the heat. I just got my power back this evening.

      Hugs, Gronda

      Like

      • Dear Mz. Gronda, You will probably never realize the feeling of relief that your message has brought to many of us who have been so worried about you! Now we can sleep better knowing you are safe…

        Liked by 1 person

    • Dear CarolMaeWY,

      i am doing just fine. The anticipation of this storm was worse than its bite. Damage in my area was limited to fallen leaves, tree branches and some debris which has already been cleaned up.

      Too many are still without power. I am thrilled to have power as of this evening.

      Thanks a million for your good wishes.

      Hugs, Gronda

      Liked by 1 person

    • Dear Roger,

      All is well. Fortunately, by the time Hurricane Irma reached Tampa, it had been downgraded from level 4 to level 2. It was still something to behold.

      There has been damage, but not nearly close to what it could have been. We here in Tampa were very much relieved.

      Still millions of Floridians have been without power for days. I just had mine turned back on this evening.

      Thanks a million for your good wishes.

      Hugs, Gronda

      Liked by 1 person

      • So very pleased to read you are ok Gronda.
        Power of Nature, fearful.
        Thanks for letting me know.
        All our best wishes to you.
        Roger

        Liked by 1 person

    • Dear Suzanne,

      Thanks a million for your prayers. All is well! I just had my power turned back on this evening.

      Overall, most of us are very much relieved that the storm had weakened by the time it reached Tampa. We all are aware that for the most part, we dodged a bullet.

      Hugs, Gronda

      Like

    • Dear Suze,

      All is well! Most of us here in Tampa are very much relieved that the storm had weakened by the time it reached us. The outcome could have been so much worse.

      There are still many Floridians without power. I just got mine back this evening. What a relief!

      Thanks a million for your prayers.

      Hugs, Gronda

      Like

  12. Yes please stay safe, keep us updated if the power is still up. As of Sunday morning, projection is the eye of the storm will miss Tampa and turn further westward hitting St. Petersburg, winds slowing to Cat. 3.

    There’s hurricane Jose coming, i’m sure nobody wants to think about that! *Peace*

    Like

      • Dear !EartUnited,

        I survived this storm just fine. Most of us in Tampa are very much relieved that Hurricane weakened by the time it reached us. The damage could have been so much worse.

        Many Floridians are still without power. I am grateful that I got my power back this evening.

        Thanks a million for your good wishes.

        Hugs, Gronda

        Liked by 1 person

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