Hellstorm Frances: Florida Calls for Hurricane Evacuations

[0rion]

By JOHN PAIN

MIAMI (AP) - Nearly a half-million people were ordered to evacuate as Hurricane Frances swirled toward Florida on Wednesday just weeks after Charley's devastating visit, threatening to deliver the most powerful one-two punch to hit a state in at least a century.

Those planning to ride out the storm snapped up canned food, water and generators, while military helicopters and planes were flown out of the area and Cape Canaveral's Kennedy Space Center said it would close on Thursday.

Florida Calls for Hurricane Evacuations

[Lorien]

1. I'm getting really freaked

those two hours of Charley seemed like the longest two hours of my life. Now they're saying we'll get pummeled for 20 hours by Frances. I feel sick.

[shraby]

2. If you can, please leave Florida

for your safety. Never forget Camille.

[0rion]

6. Yes, get to high ground.....go west young lady!

I know it's hard to leave your home behind but these storms are something extraordinary. Two Hurricane Andrews hurricanes in 2 weeks?! I think we maybe the target of weather manipulation.

Be safe, ok? Keep us all informed on your status, if you need anything then all you have to do is ask the DU community and I'm sure we can all pull together to help a member.

[Lorien]

7. I would have no problem leaving my home

but where would I go with my three cats? Just a few Wednesdays ago, they said Charley would hit Tampa, so Tampa residents evacuated...right into Charley's path! I don't have any friends on the Gulf coast, otherwise I would be putting plans together. If it comes this way, I plan to stay with friends only 20 miles Northwest of me. It's not a lot better, but at least they don't have huge oaks overhanging their home, as I do.

[Raven]

8. Where are you Jen6?

If you are anywhere in the path of this monster, 20 miles doesn't seem to me to help you. Get in your car tomorrow and drive as far as you can...go northwest, not west, I think. I know it is hard with pets because shelters won't take them but you need to get a little farther away than just 20 miles!

[Lorien]

13. Orlando

I'm watching it carefully; thinking of driving all the way up to Ohio to stay with my folks.

[Bo]

15. Get the Hell outta there!!!!!

[Career Prole]

3. Jeez...what are those poor people getting? A hurricane every week?

Is this "junk science" run amok or just shitty luck? :shrug:

[roseBudd]

4. global warming

[Career Prole]

5. Should have tacked on

that "/sarcasm off" at the end. :hi:

[bobbyboucher]

9. They might be serious.

There does seem to be quite a bit of wacky weather the past few years.

[Skarbrowe]

10. This one is so huge I don't think I can get out of the way.

Where do you run to when the whole state is covered by this monster? This might be the one that blows my a-- away. I just feel sorry for my pets. I'm ready to pay for the idiocy for moving down here from beautiful rural Indiana. Well, there was that one tornado that got the top of my sycamore tree...

Seriously, this ones got me quite frightened. If I live through the hurricane, I don't think I can live weeks without air conditioning at this time of the year. I've put some pictures and important papers in a suitcase and not thinking about too much more. Shutters are closed. Water is the freezer and I'm opening my home to someone who lives in a mobile home park. Just got back from helping an elderly lady put up her shutters. More help with shutters to be done tomorrow. South Florida, and I mean Ft. Lauderdale up to Palm Beach has been spared for a long time now. I think we could be due.

Skarbrowe

[JoFerret]

14. Hang in there and do what you can to be safe

Together with others is one way to be in terrible times. Lots of good hopes for you and everyone else.

[ramapo]

11. The weather is unpredicatable

Large portions of the coastal US have been spared the reality of hurricane landfall over the past 50 years. Mother Nature decides from time-to-time to give lessons on why it is not smart to build on barrier islands and directly on mainland beaches.

[enki23]

12. what about the bahamas?

?

[realcountrymusic]

16. Was it Drudge who coined this "Hellstorm" thing?

I've never heard the term before the slimeball formally known as Drudge started calling every big hurricane a "hellstorm."

Not to wish bad things on Florida, but there is an up side to this: the news cycle this coming weekend will be completely swamped (sorry, bad pun) and that could seriously hurt the rethugs' momentum. I mean, if it's going to happen anyway, look on the bright side, silver linings, etc.

RCM

[Just Me]

17. Gee,...must be God making a statement,...yes?

Geez,...I'm sorry but could not help myself (Falwell, Patterson & the BFEE should be hit by such things,...ahem,...amen).

Godspeed to everyone.

Cover and hunker.

[realcountrymusic]

18. Why does GOD hate America?

Oh yeah. He hates us for out freedom. That's it.

rcm