Keeping the Suncoast in our thoughts and prayers

[hospicenurse]

It sounds like areas around Tampa will be evacuating. I'm thinking especially about the homecare and hospice patients in the area and hoping they are all safely moved. I've never had to evacuate my patients here in N.J. - have really been lucky. I hope everyone stays safe and damage is not as bad as predicted. Here is a weather report I received today:

...WIND IMPACTS...

CHARLEY IS FORECAST TO INTENSIFY AND COULD BECOME A CATEGORY THREE

HURRICANE AS IT APPROACHES THE SUNCOAST ON FRIDAY...WITH WINDS IN THE

INNER EYEWALL PERHAPS AT LEAST 130 MPH WITH HIGHER GUSTS.

HOWEVER...NO MATTER WHERE THE CENTER CROSSES...CURRENT FORECAST DATA

SUGGEST TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS OF AT LEAST 40 MPH WILL AFFECT ALL

AREAS OF WEST CENTRAL AND SOUTHWEST FLORIDA BETWEEN FRIDAY

EARLY SATURDAY.

...VERY DANGEROUS WINDS WILL PRODUCE WIDESPREAD DAMAGE...

...DESTRUCTION OF MOBILE HOMES NEAR THE CENTER OF THE STORM IS

POSSIBLE...

...STRUCTURAL DAMAGE...

THE MAJORITY OF MOBILE HOMES WILL BE SEVERELY DAMAGED NEAR WHERE THE

STORM MAKES LANDFALL. HOUSES OF POOR TO AVERAGE CONSTRUCTION WILL

HAVE SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE...INCLUDING PARTIAL WALL COLLAPSE AND ROOFS

BEING LIFTED OFF. MANY WILL BE UNINHABITABLE. WELL CONSTRUCTED HOUSES

WILL INCUR MINOR DAMAGE TO SHINGLES...SIDING...GUTTERS...AS WELL AS

BLOWN OUT WINDOWS.

PARTIAL ROOF FAILURE IS EXPECTED AT INDUSTRIAL PARKS...ESPECIALLY TO

THOSE BUILDINGS WITH LIGHT WEIGHT STEEL AND ALUMINUM COVERINGS. OLDER

LOW RISING APARTMENT ROOFS MAY ALSO BE TORN OFF...AS WELL AS

RECEIVING SIDING AND SHINGLE DAMAGE. MUCH OF THE GLASS IN HIGH RISE

OFFICE BUILDINGS WILL BE BLOWN OUT. AIRBORNE DEBRIS WILL CAUSE

DAMAGE...INJURY...AND POSSIBLE FATALITIES.

...NATURAL DAMAGE...

ALL TREES WITH ROTTING BASES WILL BECOME UPROOTED OR SNAP. NEARLY ALL

LARGE BRANCHES WILL SNAP...AND MAJOR DAMAGE IS CAN BE EXPECTED TO

CITRUS GROVES...INCLUDING NUMEROUS UPROOTED TREES...MOST COMMON WHERE

THE GROUND IS SATURATED.

THE NEXT HURRICANE LOCAL STATEMENT FROM THE TAMPA BAY AREA FORECAST

OFFICE WILL BE ISSUED AROUND 9PM EDT.

Gail

[RNPATL, DNP, RN]

Yes - I agree .... just spoke with several of my family members that live in Sarasota and North Port ... they are preparing for the storm. Please take care Florida.

[Christina_NICU]

My family moved to Tampa a few years ago. The only thing they are worrying about is tree branches falling on their cars (they own a used car dealership). They're sorta relaxed about it though since they were living in Miami when hurricane Andrew hit in 92 and that was category 4 (145 mph winds) and they lived near where the brunt of it was. They live in Brandon specifically, so they aren't close to the water. I understand their feelings, though. Some might find it crazy to not be extremely worried, but they've roughed worse, I suppose. I worry for all the people in Pinellas county.

[suehp]

I have heard it is catergory 4 now...thinking of all Floridians in the Hurricane area.

[hospicenurse]

I have heard it is catergory 4 now...thinking of all Floridians in the Hurricane area.

at 4 pm today they are saying it is supposed to make land between Ft. Myers and Port Charlotte. Maybe Tampa got a reprieve, but others are getting it instead. The eye is supposed to pass over Sanibel too. Would not want to be on Sanibel today with all those trees. My sister is hunkered down in Naples. I just can't stop thinking of everyone down there today. I'm a little distracted at work - and glad it's kind of a slow day. Had two women from Tampa come into the office today. They are up here visiting their brother who is terminally ill, and they are frantic because they left kids and hubbies in Tampa and their cell phones don't work. They made calls from our office and the kids are fine - playing video games and waiting for the storm to hit.

I'll be glad when the storm is over.

Gail

[All_Smiles_RN]

Hurricane Charley did land near Sanibel Island and Port Charlotte. It landed as a category 4 hurricane, very serious. Reports have said that entire buildings and 8 parked airliners have been destroyed in that area. One shelter that was holding 1200 people had a roof collapse. I haven't heard anything else yet as this has all just happened. The storm is weakening right now as it travels across the state. I'm expecting it to arrive in my area in the next hour. My area won't experience anything that devestating; probably just minimal structural damage, downed trees, loose debris, and power outtages. I'll check back later and update the situation. Everyone please stay safe.

...Jennifer...

[CindyJRN]

I've been going back and forth between the Weather Channel and CNN. It is so hard to comprehend what our fellow nurses and healthcare workers are experiencing right now. I just saw reports of damage to hospitals and nursing homes. One hospital is preparing to transfer 200 PATIENTS!!!! Although we all have disaster plans, I can't even wrap my mind around the staggering logistics of transporting patients or carrying on in adverse conditions. My prayers and thoughts are with all Floridians. I know that the Louisiana Red Cross has mobilized. Take care, all...........

[All_Smiles_RN]

I just wanted to let you guys know that I made it through okay. We're still without power, 6 days later. My mom just got her power back this morning, so here I am, basking in air conditioning at her house at long last, lol. Hope everyone else is doing fine!

...Jennifer...