I really lucked out this evening.
My normal 30 minute commute down Interstate Four took 30 minutes. The rain that had pelted us earlier subsided, and not a drop hit my windshield on the way home.
Tomorrow morning should be a different story.
Already, the warnings are up, and local TV weather guys are getting that ol' gleam in the eye, that tells you they've stepped into "our top story"!
"Fay" is the story, and it appears she is less than 300 miles south and headed this way.
According to the "team coverage of this breaking news event", the storm is expected to move more easterly than was earlier thought, bringing the center of the storm right up the previously mentioned Interstate Four, right through the center of Orlando.
Fortunately, this ain't no Charlie.
A storm of this magnitude (expected to be what they call a "category one" hurricane as it zips past Disney World), means sustained winds of up to 74 miles per hour, maybe less. This will take down branches and trees whose roots aren't too deep, but buildings should hold up, provided there isn't a tornado. It will make driving difficult, but not impossible. You can even walk around in it, if you are so inclined, but that is not recommended.
The potential of this storm is less about death and destruction and more about inconvenience.
Everyone seems to have their own hurricane preparedness plan, and mine consists of buying some gallon jugs of water, and a few canned goods, filling the tank of my car, and getting about $100 out of the ATM machine.
I assume electric power will go out, especially in my area. If 2004 was any indication, Progress Energy will be reliably out every time the wind blows.
Candles, a way to light them, a flash light and a battery powered radio (with a sufficient stock of batteries for each) should be set where you can find them. I will usually put this stuff on the coffee table in the living room. Once the power goes out, try and avoid opening the refrigerator.
If the water goes out, you will need the gallon jugs to drink...and flush the toilet. Fortunately, I've never had problems with my water utility.
Actually, if it weren't for the power going out, taking the AC with it, a hurricane wouldn't be be all that bad.
Of course, a week from now, once the power is restored and assuming the computer still works, I may have a different opinion.