Over at Cam and Melissa’s now. Charley has since turned into a category 4 storm — winds between 150-160 mph. We haven’t seen those here yet, though we are seeing steady rain and incrementally stronger gusts.
There’s a tornado warning right now for north eastern Sarasota.
The eye of the hurricane is just south of the Lee/Sarasota county border. For about half an hour the local news was speculating that the hurricane might take a turn to the northeast and miss us. But now it’s back to heading up north along the shoreline, which puts us in (relative) danger again.
My lousy attempt at humor… we’ll see if it’s still on my balcony when I get back:

Post-computer packing:

My computer:

The local ABC affiliate gives an overview:

The rain is falling constantly now:

[Update, 11:58am Fri]: Added hurricane prep link.
Went out to the grocery store at 9:30 this morning to pick up a few extra bits before Charley arrives. Things are still overcast outside, very little wind. Everyone was being extra-nice to each other, wishing each other a good day, saying sorry for just about any kind of accidental physical contact, etc.
The boarded up Starbucks I mentioned last night which was boarded up but still open (and which Cam visited) — is now closed. So was Subway, which I don’t think I’ve ever seen closed. Publix was super-crowded. Things they were out of: gallon jugs of water, frozen precooked chicken products, and BBQ briquettes. I ended up picking up a loaf of bread, 2 cans of Pringles, 2 frozen pizzas (at least one of which I intend to consume for lunch today, before the power goes out), and a bag of Gardetto Snak-ens (original flavour). I’m set for the next few days.
While I was in the pharmacy beside the grocery store, I saw an old man wander in with his walker, asking for “D” batteries. The store was out, but the people waiting in line suggested Walmart and Target had them.
Looks like about 1/6th of the apts in our complex have their windows taped. Having a place right beside a tree, though, I’m not taking any chances. The news as of 9am this morning states winds could reach 100 miles per hour. I did not see anyone with boards up.
Got my iRiver SlimX 350 mp3-CD player charging. Why would I be doing that, when I’ve got my iPod? Because it’s got an FM tuner in it.
Just got a phone call from Melissa. After I’ve got things secured here, I’ll be heading over there, probably around 2pm or so — and we’ll probably be driving over to pick up Kai. What do we do in a crisis? Well, party of course.
Oh yes — here’s a link to a good article about hurricane prep from USA today (though the time for the advice in it has mostly passed): Protect your home against a hurricane, without wasting time.












Updates to follow later today (assuming I have access to a computer).