Hurricane Irma

Reloadron

Joined Jan 15, 2015
7,889
Just spoke with a friend down in the Tampa St. Petersburg area. They lost power for four days and have some lumps but as he said, it could have been much worse. Everyone I spoke with in Florida has the same complaint. Loss of power leading to loss of air conditioning in oppressive heat and humidity.

Ron
 

SLK001

Joined Nov 29, 2011
1,549
Just spoke with a friend down in the Tampa St. Petersburg area. They lost power for four days and have some lumps but as he said, it could have been much worse. Everyone I spoke with in Florida has the same complaint. Loss of power leading to loss of air conditioning in oppressive heat and humidity.

Ron
After Wilma in 2005, the east coast of Florida was hardened against major loss of power by FPL. There are still areas where a transformer was blown due to the wind whip, but that is easily and quickly fixed (just need the time for the crews to get to the one that is important to you). They now even have flood warning devices on their major equipment, so that if a flood or high water is detected, they can de-energyze the equipment until it drys out. Even the city traffic infrastructure was hardened with poles that can withstand a Cat 5 hurricane. Wilma ripped a good majority of the traffic lights away (people were finding them in their backyards). I haven't seen any traffic lights destroyed after this one. After Wilma, it was nothing to see a string of concrete light poles snapped in half. Now all I am seeing is some of the lights that hang over the street ripped away - the pole is fine. Yes, it is hot down here right now, but except for the Keys, we escaped this one fairly intact.
 

spinnaker

Joined Oct 29, 2009
7,830
Looks like it is just a tropical depression right now. No big deal. Spent the night on time on a boat moored in the harbor during a tropical depression.
 

nsaspook

Joined Aug 27, 2009
16,322

Looks like my last Keys vacation spot (upper far left from the Coast Guard Station) make it out OK during the storm.


The station looks to be in pretty good condition.
 

Reloadron

Joined Jan 15, 2015
7,889
Glad we do the Caribbean thing during the January & February time frame. My wife's cousin finally called and emailed after a week of no power. The same complaint of the heat and no AC. They were fine, just a little beat up. The last thing people need to hear is about Maria about now.

Ron
 

GopherT

Joined Nov 23, 2012
8,009
Glad we do the Caribbean thing during the January & February time frame. My wife's cousin finally called and emailed after a week of no power. The same complaint of the heat and no AC. They were fine, just a little beat up. The last thing people need to hear is about Maria about now.

Ron
At least Maria will cool everyone off for a while.
 
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