OMG ... Did anyone listen to the streaming WFLA from Tampa

[RichG]

These were just regular folks calling in and asking questions. On the east coast we are just blasted with information about preparing for storms begining in May through October. My guess is that the local media has not been doing the same for them. IF the worst case scenario plays out and the storm goes with 10-14 foot storm surge I think we could have a rather high death toll. Of course there is no way to predict the numbers but I think it will be higher toll than most people would expect.

[RichG]

These were just regular folks calling in and asking questions. On the east coast we are just blasted with information about preparing for storms begining in May through October. My guess is that the local media has not been doing the same for them. IF the worst case scenario plays out and the storm goes with 10-14 foot storm surge I think we could have a rather high death toll. Of course there is no way to predict the numbers but I think it will be higher toll than most people would expect.

[snoopj]

Ugh, I'm watching that live video feed from WTSP (channel 10 in Tampa) and hey just mentioned that one of the mandatory evacuation zones, that only 25% of the people have evacuated. *smack forehead*

--snoopj

[PTrackerLA]

The good thing is it looks like Charley will go inland south of Tampa Bay maybe near Ft. Myers. The potential disaster might be avoided.

[opera ghost]

I'm getting a gut feeling that the only thing that could spare this from being a horrible disaster is if this hurricane lands a little further north... or a little further south and makes the worst part of landfall over a very sparsly populated area.

[Cookiely]

They are satisfied that 75% of the people left that are in mandatory evacuation in Pinellas County. I have no idea what 25% of the population that didn't leave would be, but I dread the body count if this thing comes into the Tampa Bay area. Tampa Electric is next to the water (just like our #1 Trauma Hospital) . Someone asked what would happen to TECO during the storm surge and the Vice President, gave one of those answers where you don't understand what he said. I don't think they know what's going to happen. He talked about borrowing power, and a two week recovery period. NO AC for two weeks, pray for me (I suffered a heat stroke years ago that left me unable to tolerate heat).