Yet another major hurricane

[Matt]

Hurricane Wilma has just grown to a Category 5 hurricane, and they're saying is the strongest hurricane this season. It's heading directly for my parent's home in SW Florida. They live on the Gulf, and if this storm doesn't break up by this weekend, they might not have a house left.

If you're the praying sort, say a prayer. If not, cross your fingers.

I'm more glad than ever that I moved out of Naples this summer.

[little_bill]

Matt i hope your folks and all the people in florida will be ok, i'm not really the praying type but i'll be on my knees tonight praying for everyone there.

[KC]

I hope your folks are OK, Matt! What a year for hurricanes! 

[Lin Sunderland]

Matt I do hope your folks are safe and all the people in the area.   Let's all pray/cross fingers/cast spells whatever we do and try to move that hurricane back out to sea or drop it to a strong wind that does no damage.

[Americanbeauty]

they're saying is the strongest hurricane this season.

Even worse 

Hurricane Wilma [...] is the strongest hurricane ever recorded

link

We'll pray and cross our fingers.
Hang on tight.

[Brendan]

I hope your parents take every precaution nessacary, Matt. Good luck to any members we have down there and I hope you make it through it ok.

[Lilly]

Whoa!  Sorry to hear your folks are in the path, Matt.  Good luck to them and everyone else over there.

[Matt]

Thanks for everyone's posts, thoughts and prayers.

My parents are in New Jersey now, and were planning on coming down to Florida (they live there 7 months out of the year) this weekend. Obviously, their plans have been changed. But, they're not in harm's way. They'll stay put until the storm passes. Only their house is in danger.

I talked to my parents today, and they said they were thinking of selling the house (if there's one left to sell) after this hurricane season. It's just getting too bad and too scary down there. They followed me from New Jersey to SW Florida ten years ago. I'm getting the idea that they may turnup in my neighborhood next year. 

[Gant]

Whereabouts is the disney complex in Florida ?

[Matt]

Yeah, Disney is within the danger zone. I wonder if they're going to evacuate the animals at Animal Kingdom. Wow... hadn't thought of any of that.

Disney is right outside Orlando, which is in the very center of the state (just a bit to the SE of the "L" in Florida on the map above.)

[Lin Sunderland]

They should at least try to evacuate the animals as they have had enough warning.

[KC]

They're saying now that it probably won't hit Florida until Monday, and it might be down to a Category Two or One by then. These things are so unpredictable, though! 

[Gant]

I know people staying at the disney resort.. They seem to be happy to stay out there so's I guess they can't see much of a risk. like KC sayes tho'.. these things are so unpredictable.

[Matt]

Wilma made landfall today as a Category 3 hurricane, and it sounds like most of Florida did pretty well, considering what damage could have been done. The eye of the storm passed just a few miles from where my parents' house is located, but from everything I can gather from news reports and the local newspaper, there aren't many homes (aside from mobile homes) with structural damage. It sounds like there are a lot of downed trees and homes with some roof damage... but considering that we were worried about a direct hit by a Category 5 a few days ago, this is great news.

[Lilly]

Good news Matt.   I heard the eye hit Naples - thank God you moved!

[Gino M]

Thank goodness that your parents are ok!

Wilma pushed the cold weather up towards the north east. and now we've got winds and rain and blasted cold weather.  I actually saw snow flakes yesterday.

[Lilly]

I guess it's been a poor year for fall colours in New England then?  The leaves lasted about five minutes of pretty colours here, and have almost all been ruined by the wind and rain already.

I miss autumn mornings at school.  I must be getting an old git because I'm sure they don't make seasons like they used to.  Misty mornings in late October, walking to chapel through the red leaves, looking forward to frosty days and Remembrance Sunday in pale sunshine... that's about as good as it gets.

[D'Ambrosia]

Glad everythings cool with you and your family Matt...

[Matt]

Thanks everyone. 

My parents are staying with me for a little while. We just found out today 94% of their county is without power and water, and may be for up to four weeks. Don't know how long they're staying.   

[KC]

Wow Matt ... sounds like the Naples area might be worse off than we thought. I'm sorry for a lot of nice people I met in my visits down there. Glad your folks are safe and sound with you. Do they know for sure that their house is OK?