NEWS: Category 4 Storm Hurricane Charley Makes Landfall, Massive Damage and Casualty Reports

dont believe a hurricane can pick a car up, one time me and my cousin where driving through one, and the side of the car lifted off the ground, and it was a cat. 3 and charlie is 4

While in college we chased several of these, usually ending up around Cedar Key where most of them took their eventual NE turn. I lived in Florida for 30 years until 2002.

I'm simply pointing out that "the sky is falling" one-liners we're seeing here, in addition to being against ATS policy, are ludicrous. Provide facts for people, not some alarmist one-liner about how your car is going to move. I can just picture it out, people are calling their relatives in Florida to tell them to get out of their car if they're driving - it may get picked up.

This is now the fourth thread about this hurricane. Doesn't anyone use the ATS search anymore?

Oh, and I'm not making light of it, the rest of my family is all within walking distance of either Tampa Bay or the gulf. A little further north and my childhood home probably would have floated away.

lifejackets... I started to type that and erased it.. hope that isn't a premonition ...

(wrong forum for premonitions... LOL....)

Tornado Alerts:
ORLANDO AREA AND SURROUNDING AREA.

STORM SURGE:
STORM SURGES OF UP TO AND OVER 20 FEET IN LOW LYING COASTAL AREA'S

Storm has NOT YET made shore contact. It is expected to make land fall in Charlotte Country/Fort Myers

Yes i'm in titusville next to the coast were staying don't know what else to do you can't run it's everywhere no use anyone from titusville or close on this forum?

Originally posted by Makaveli777back
Yes i'm in titusville next to the coast were staying don't know what else to do you can't run it's everywhere no use anyone from titusville or close on this forum?

DO NOT EVACUATE.

Thats the orders being given. Its too late, you'll need to just sit it out.

looks like gazrok up in tampa is gonna escape the brunt of the storm. we're getting 50mph gusts here in fort lauderdale now, lots of branches and debris flying around, but no significant rainfall. A category 4 hurricane is no joke, i hope everyone comes thru this one okay.

Mak, details aside, the most important thing to do is try to keep a cool head.

This is obviously easier said than done when it seems like a hundred freight trains are rolling over the top of your house, and you hear those ominous BUMPS and CRASHING noises all around you.

Nonetheless, your best move is to not get too wound up about it and be businesslike in monitoring your situation.

Even if your roof blows off, you'll probably be fine if you get in a good solid leeward corner and protect yourself from the wind, rain and flying debris.

Stay calm and stay alert to what's going on around you, but don't let fear overtake you. This too shall pass.

Hope you're all alright WW!

Looks like its gonna make landfall and start a slow northern turn towards Orlando.

Yea i'm not worried the only thing that bothers me is its like 3 min walk to the water from here but i'm cool i sleep through most of them

thanks for your replys

[edit on 13-8-2004 by Makaveli777back]

thanks for your concern nerdling, i'm in the best position right now, Charley is west and north of us, so we're going to escape the hurricane force winds, our only worry is that we are still under a flood watch, and tornado watch till later tonight....but i'm worried about central florida, i can't get hold of any relatives in Orlando, Ocala and Deltona.

No problem! Stay safe!!!

www.nhc.noaa.gov...
Thats the National Hurricane Centre website which will update the advisories for your area.

www.ready.gov...
A homeland security site about preparedness, you might find useful tips there.

Originally posted by worldwatcher
i can't get hold of any relatives in Orlando, Ocala and Deltona.

Multiple tornado warnings for those area's. No major damage but it appears power is out because the companies have turned it off to ward off massive damage.

I live in Polk County and Charley's eye is heading right over me. 3-4 hours until it hits here.

Charlie has made landfall, Tampans breathe sigh of relief.

Excerpted from Bay News 9, "your news all the time". Man I was sick of hearing that. Anyway:

URL
www.baynews9.com...

Excerpt
Charley makes landfall at Captiva Island
Friday, August 13, 2004



Hurricane Charley has been upgraded to Category 4, and has made landfall south of the Bay area.

No storm surges are expected locally, however, hurricane-force winds and heavy rain are likely. Also, tornadoes are possible, with a tornado watch in effect until 2 a.m. throughout the Bay area.

Charley is heading north/northeast and has made landfall at Captiva Island. It has sustained winds of 145 mph.

Charlie will be over my house come about midday tomorrow (Saturday).
Should be fun.....third of the year...oh yeah, great fun....

seekerof

Thats the latest Florida Composite.

Good luck Seekerof

***URGENT UPDATE***

MSNBC has come back from its commercials and confirmed that the storm may be turning to the north quickly. Tampa may not be out of danger yet.

WFLA is giving advice to Evacuate IMMEDIATELY. As many as 250,000 are in the danger zone now that have not yet evacuated.

*Another Update for EAST COAS*

US Navy has storm surged all ships out of base in Mayport on Altantic Coast.
Major Hurricane warning issued for Cocoa Beach, Atlantic Coast.

More as it comes in.

Weatherman Nerd

I am Cocoa Beach and have made final preparations, everything here is closed including the liquor store which has been closed all day
As I am typing this Port Charlotte is getting slammed, hope everyone there is ready for the worst of it and dont do anything stupid like go outside and take pictures.
It is extremly humid here, overcast and calm. The track is still uncertain, a wobble east and we're gonna get slammed a wobble west and we'll probaly escape any significant damage. I am ready, went on a last munute shopping spree and got to the store just as they were closing. Water and batteries have been sold out since yesterday. What a Friday the 13th.