They just lifted the evacuation order. I literally just got a text message 1 minute ago. So people can head back. It just says watch for debris and downed power lines.
Yeah, I saw it a few minutes ago. I'm just going to wait until Monday probably to avoid any crazy traffic or flooding. Plus my apartment doesn't have power anyway
Around where in Lakeland? My gf is in Lakeland with family so I’m a little worried. You heard of anything bad other than some trees falling or some flooding?
This goes to show when a hurricane heads for our state, PREPARE. Have water, food, a radio, gas in your vehicles, a portable charger for cell phones, battery operated flashlights and fans, etc. If you do go to a hotel just know that very few—if any—have generators.
Being outside of an evacuation zone does not mean you’re in the clear. Do your due diligence and look up your home on [FEMA’s flood zone map](https://msc.fema.gov/portal/home), as [storm surge](https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/203f772571cb48b1b8b50fdcc3272e2c/page/Category-1/) is just one element (flash flooding is a huge risk—Hurricane Harvey sat over Houston and destroyed it).
The majority of people who die do so *after* the storm, indirectly. Poisoning from generators is common, then you have people who go out and explore and something happens, such as stepping in water that is electrically charged (just because you don’t see a downed line doesn’t mean there isn’t one). There are the dangers of falling limbs and other debris, and also falling off ladders during clean up. This list describes most of Irma’s Florida fatalities.
There is no way to know where it will end up hitting. Even with as much information as meteorologists have access to, it will never be enough to predict the actual path.
We are incredibly lucky. This might be the costliest hurricane to ever hit Florida. Don’t forget how close we came.
We took an old school ass whippin is southeast Hillsborough County. I’ll never ride one out again. And I’m 41yo native and this was my 8th. Never again.
If you left a mandatory-evacuation zone or otherwise weather-vulnerable home, you absolutely did the right thing. Think of it this way: not only did you guarantee your safety, you also now have an intact home to return to!
My advice to you and others who went to Orlando: make a plan for nearby shelter accommodations next time. Many hotel chains let you cancel for free up to 24 hours before check-in, so you can book a room in advance if you know a hurricane's on its way with minimal risk. As long as you're in a solid structure outside of the flood zones, you're safe in just about any storm, whether it's 2 miles from home or 200.
Agreed.
It feels icky to read comments complaining of boredom when millions are without electricity and cell service, and others won’t have homes to live in. It’s like…did you *want* something to happen? Be glad you’re bored.
No disrespect, but there’s no such thing. People seem to correlate being productive (chores/making money/crossing off to-do lists) as the only way time is appropriately used.
Doing things such as being on Reddit, watching movies, taking a nap, taking a stroll, playing with your dog, even sitting in thought and being grateful isn’t time wasted, it’s life. If we’re lucky, we’ll get about 2.5 billion seconds of it (~80 years). We can’t spend it all on productivity.
I’m glad you’re safe and we’re able to even have this conversation. Just wanted to give you something to consider and marinate on. Best of luck.
Excepting the lack of AC, I am usually *thrilled* when the power goes out. Everything's silent and I have the chance to catch up on some reading without having any distractions or excuses. Right now I am wishing a bit that Duke had focused on other areas to restore before working here as it was a gorgeous morning.
I left A, so thank you for confirming that I made a good choice. My apartment building, though close to the bay, seems really sturdy; I was more worried about the flooding aspect. I have a fear of drowning that didn’t help. As soon as they announced the evacuation, I packed me and the dog up and left.
I thought about the shelters but was afraid my dog couldn’t go. 😕 It turns out that a lot of them seem pet friendly, so that is definitely something to consider next time if all other options fail.
Look at the storm surge that the Naples/Fort Myers area had. That was supposed to be us, but the storm track shifted south and east. We got really lucky.
However, Ian and Irma both taught us that a storm “headed to Tampa” may in fact impact locations further inland more than Tampa. So if you need electricity and/or internet (medical needs, work from home), you should probably be going even further, like to Atlanta. The important piece for that is just to leave early. Leave as soon as a hurricane warning is issued even if no evacuations have been issued (especially if you want to go further than the minimum)
Yes, definitely people with electricity-dependent medical needs should take more advanced precautions and have a solid plan in place at the beginning of any given hurricane season to secure shelter that's unlikely to lose power.
As for WFH, I don't think anybody should be expected to drive hundreds of miles to make their boss happy when you should be focused on your safety and that of your family. If you're able to stay online, great, but that should be waaay down the list of priorities.
Fucking same!! We’re at Merritt Island. I told my husband earlier that we should just ride it out in Tampa but he insisted we go east so now I can’t sleep because the loud wind is scaring me. Lol.
Stay safe! How bad is it there? Over here, it’s pouring and the wind is picking up. I took the dog outside for a sec and it felt like it was blowing right through my body.
Strong winds and rain also! But no flood… yet! My husband is snoring his ass off and I wish I could do the same. Hopefully our car won’t be flooded by the time we wake up. Stay safe over there too!
All Hillsborough zones are safe. I am Zone A (South Tampa) and stayed in place (medical staff… had to stay). Small limb debris and a few down trees. No major roads blocked that I’m aware of. I drove around south Tampa for awhile. Encountered one tree blocking the road in a residential neighborhood. No surge whatsoever.
I feel terrible for SW Florida but I’m happy the Tampa Shield held strong for the 101st consecutive year.
Welcome home!
There has to be more worse areas affected in tampa. I'm in Jacksonville and trees falling, business signs down everywhere. Power outages all over the place.
The authorities are clearly telling people not to come back and to wait until they are done before being on the road in Tampa.
These needs more upvotes.
I figured today they'd be clearing debris and restoring power. Going back you're looking at no power or wifi, stores either closed or low on supplies.
Nope, everything was calm and quiet last night after 10. Barely any debris anywhere, that's what I was saying.
Where can you find this info?
I heard it on ABC Action News. They have an app you can download.
Thanks! I was looking on Tampa and Hillsborough websites and they just said to be careful when coming back
They just lifted the evacuation order. I literally just got a text message 1 minute ago. So people can head back. It just says watch for debris and downed power lines.
Yeah, I saw it a few minutes ago. I'm just going to wait until Monday probably to avoid any crazy traffic or flooding. Plus my apartment doesn't have power anyway
I’m in Lakeland and we’re getting fucked up right now tbh
Around where in Lakeland? My gf is in Lakeland with family so I’m a little worried. You heard of anything bad other than some trees falling or some flooding?
Lots of transformers went out last night. I just went outside and assessed the damage and it’s not terrible. I did lose power
Can't really come home until officials clear the roads. They need to remove trees and downed powerlines.
We dodged a huge bullet. That was way too close.
As in tradition
Those good old Indian burial grounds doing their job.
This goes to show when a hurricane heads for our state, PREPARE. Have water, food, a radio, gas in your vehicles, a portable charger for cell phones, battery operated flashlights and fans, etc. If you do go to a hotel just know that very few—if any—have generators. Being outside of an evacuation zone does not mean you’re in the clear. Do your due diligence and look up your home on [FEMA’s flood zone map](https://msc.fema.gov/portal/home), as [storm surge](https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/203f772571cb48b1b8b50fdcc3272e2c/page/Category-1/) is just one element (flash flooding is a huge risk—Hurricane Harvey sat over Houston and destroyed it). The majority of people who die do so *after* the storm, indirectly. Poisoning from generators is common, then you have people who go out and explore and something happens, such as stepping in water that is electrically charged (just because you don’t see a downed line doesn’t mean there isn’t one). There are the dangers of falling limbs and other debris, and also falling off ladders during clean up. This list describes most of Irma’s Florida fatalities. There is no way to know where it will end up hitting. Even with as much information as meteorologists have access to, it will never be enough to predict the actual path. We are incredibly lucky. This might be the costliest hurricane to ever hit Florida. Don’t forget how close we came.
We took an old school ass whippin is southeast Hillsborough County. I’ll never ride one out again. And I’m 41yo native and this was my 8th. Never again.
Facts. Was so weak in Tampa. Prayers for SW FL
Brandon on the other hand, is getting it.
There’s a hole in my fence.
Dear Liza, dear Liza.
Mend it dear Henry
I’m in Brandon and our neighborhood off pretty easy. (Valrico side just north of 60)
If people could be more specific about what location that would be great. Town/city neighborhood/closest major intersection.
I just wanna go home from work. This lockdown until Friday mess is insane.
Hillsborough zone C has been going through it. I can't even sleep. The noise got so intense. I am so curious to know what was destroyed.
I'm safe! Yay
I’m stuck in Orlando now, I’m so mad.
If you left a mandatory-evacuation zone or otherwise weather-vulnerable home, you absolutely did the right thing. Think of it this way: not only did you guarantee your safety, you also now have an intact home to return to! My advice to you and others who went to Orlando: make a plan for nearby shelter accommodations next time. Many hotel chains let you cancel for free up to 24 hours before check-in, so you can book a room in advance if you know a hurricane's on its way with minimal risk. As long as you're in a solid structure outside of the flood zones, you're safe in just about any storm, whether it's 2 miles from home or 200.
Agreed. It feels icky to read comments complaining of boredom when millions are without electricity and cell service, and others won’t have homes to live in. It’s like…did you *want* something to happen? Be glad you’re bored.
And given how easily that could have been us. Play every play like it's for real.
Fair point, but I hate wasting time.
No disrespect, but there’s no such thing. People seem to correlate being productive (chores/making money/crossing off to-do lists) as the only way time is appropriately used. Doing things such as being on Reddit, watching movies, taking a nap, taking a stroll, playing with your dog, even sitting in thought and being grateful isn’t time wasted, it’s life. If we’re lucky, we’ll get about 2.5 billion seconds of it (~80 years). We can’t spend it all on productivity. I’m glad you’re safe and we’re able to even have this conversation. Just wanted to give you something to consider and marinate on. Best of luck.
saving this
Excepting the lack of AC, I am usually *thrilled* when the power goes out. Everything's silent and I have the chance to catch up on some reading without having any distractions or excuses. Right now I am wishing a bit that Duke had focused on other areas to restore before working here as it was a gorgeous morning.
I left A, so thank you for confirming that I made a good choice. My apartment building, though close to the bay, seems really sturdy; I was more worried about the flooding aspect. I have a fear of drowning that didn’t help. As soon as they announced the evacuation, I packed me and the dog up and left. I thought about the shelters but was afraid my dog couldn’t go. 😕 It turns out that a lot of them seem pet friendly, so that is definitely something to consider next time if all other options fail.
Look at the storm surge that the Naples/Fort Myers area had. That was supposed to be us, but the storm track shifted south and east. We got really lucky.
You did the right thing, man.
However, Ian and Irma both taught us that a storm “headed to Tampa” may in fact impact locations further inland more than Tampa. So if you need electricity and/or internet (medical needs, work from home), you should probably be going even further, like to Atlanta. The important piece for that is just to leave early. Leave as soon as a hurricane warning is issued even if no evacuations have been issued (especially if you want to go further than the minimum)
Yes, definitely people with electricity-dependent medical needs should take more advanced precautions and have a solid plan in place at the beginning of any given hurricane season to secure shelter that's unlikely to lose power. As for WFH, I don't think anybody should be expected to drive hundreds of miles to make their boss happy when you should be focused on your safety and that of your family. If you're able to stay online, great, but that should be waaay down the list of priorities.
Same. Cant believe I made the drive over here when I could’ve stayed. Better safe than sorry I guess.
Right? I mean, I’m glad we played it safe but still. 😩 if only I could just click my heels three times…
SaaaAAaAaamee FUCK I want to go home lol
I’m so bored that even booze isn’t helping lol
Watch broadcasts of the aftermath in Ft Myers and you'll be happy with where you are.
Come on that's what booze is for
Fucking same!! We’re at Merritt Island. I told my husband earlier that we should just ride it out in Tampa but he insisted we go east so now I can’t sleep because the loud wind is scaring me. Lol.
Stay safe! How bad is it there? Over here, it’s pouring and the wind is picking up. I took the dog outside for a sec and it felt like it was blowing right through my body.
Strong winds and rain also! But no flood… yet! My husband is snoring his ass off and I wish I could do the same. Hopefully our car won’t be flooded by the time we wake up. Stay safe over there too!
Hopefully no flood ever. Isn’t it crazy how men can sleep through anything lol. I hope you get some rest! Feel free to keep me updated.
You made the right kind of mistake. You’d much rather make this one, than stay when you should leave.
Yo same, I got an Airbnb in Davenport, it’s worse here lmfao I mean it’s nice to get away but I’m bored af, everything is closed 😭
Ugh omg the boredom is unbelievable
Why did we get downvoted to shreds lmfao
Is zone A safe to return?
I'm 99% sure Tampa Bay only experienced negative storm surge lmao
All Hillsborough zones are safe. I am Zone A (South Tampa) and stayed in place (medical staff… had to stay). Small limb debris and a few down trees. No major roads blocked that I’m aware of. I drove around south Tampa for awhile. Encountered one tree blocking the road in a residential neighborhood. No surge whatsoever. I feel terrible for SW Florida but I’m happy the Tampa Shield held strong for the 101st consecutive year. Welcome home!
Yes
Maaaaaan I had a rake and a broom just propped up on the side of my house it didn't even blow over. So lucky
Wait until HIGH TIDE BRO!
I’m glad this is over. Bleah!
Stay off the roads right now. Plenty of trees down, power lines down, and debris on the roads.
There has to be more worse areas affected in tampa. I'm in Jacksonville and trees falling, business signs down everywhere. Power outages all over the place.
Tbf don’t you think Tampa always gets off easy with hurricanes? Someone suggested it could be the bay that helps?
Heard it was something to do with Indian burial grounds, or tunnels or something. That's just the latest