Here we go again!! A storm is now forecast to hit west coast of Florida as a CAT 3 Hurricane. If it follows the projected path in the map below it would put us in the worst position being South of Tampa. .

Breaking out our 2 Honda EU2000i generators and fully charge the Lightning. I don't know if we will stay at the house or at the inland cabin. The path puts it right over both properties. Last year the roads were flooded between the 2 properties after a storm so whichever place I chose to stay at during t storm I need to plan on remaining for at least a week after the storm.

 

I wish you the best of good fortune with your preparation and supply of necessities for the duration. Living in Ohio all we've seen so far is some much needed rain over the past week to 10 days.

 

I am an hour north of Tampa and about 15 miles inland. Not looking forward to this.

 

Although they have gotten pretty good predicting where a hurricane is likely to land, there's no guarantee that disturbance will form into one or which direction it'll go if it does.

To soon to say one way or the other so I wouldn't sweat it just yet. Something to keep the eyes on for everyone on the gulf coast.

 

I'm guessing going South 2 hours is a wise choice as the thing develops. Naples is a beautiful area to stay.
But Atlanta seems a good choice as the early week progresses. Those lowlands of Fla can get very Wet, I think.
I remember seeing the wetlands around the Tampa Area. N.W. to Alabama. Purr fect. Pick a Motel on a hill too.
My rule is always 50' above flood level, live on level ground there.

 

We decided to ride it out at the west coast house. The projection is moving slightly south from earlier projection. Right now we ar exactly where the center line crosses the shore line about 20 miles inland. Thats about 20 miles south of Tampa. Our home has Hurricane impact windows and the 10 year old roof that is up to current code.

We put the shutters up on the inland cabin that’s about 25 miles north of Lake Okeechobee the big lake in the picture.

We loaded up the Fronk with stuff and the truck bed with 2 generators and lots of other stuff then drove to our house.

wish us luck.

 

hope you come thru it all ok. Been watching some of the devastation from the last one.

 

Hope all goes well. Sounds like the storm surge on this one could be significant.

 

Changed our minds. We evacuated 125 miles inland to our cabin. We ow have our 2 trucks, 2 cars and the RV here. Winds inland here are forecasted to top at 35 mph. Winds will start about midnight tomorrow and last about 12 hours.

 

keep us posted, prayers that you make it through with minimal issues.

 

Good idea, hate when storms comes thru at night, can never get to sleep. Good luck.

 

If you are anywhere near the path on NHC's chart, I can promise you that winds will be well above 35 MPH. There are hurricane warnings all the way across the peninsula. Helena spread winds to near Cat 1 hurricane strength all the way north to southern Ohio last week. Good luck! Unless Milton magically falls apart in the next 9 hours this is going to end up being a top 10 all-time storm at landfall.

 

Lost power 5 hours ago. Our Lightning has been silently powering the cabin. We’ve used 4% charge in the 5 hours. Very impressive.

 

What devices or systems are connected to your Lightning power?

 

We tried to minimize power needs. I shut off
Electric Range
Electric Water heater
Electric washer And dryer
central AC

left powered on
all interior lights (mostly LED)
2 ceiling fans
Dish TV Hopper and Remote dish Joey box
2 TVs
1refrigerator
1 food freezer
1 well pump (1-1/2 hp)
1 storage tank to house water pump (1-1/2 hp)
alarm system
several chargers
2 desktop computers

Used 11% of truck battery, Started at 79% currently at 68% after 17 hours running on truck power.