On Monday, 8/28/23, the sky was very cloudy looking west in central Florida. With Hurricane Idalia approaching on the Gulf and expecting impact just north of my area, I took steps to prepare ahead of the storm. I already had bottled drinking water and batteries. I had a bug-out bag and supplies. For more information on emergency preparation see Emergency Preparation Are You Prepared.
To the east there were blue skies Monday. We had no rain on Monday and little most of Tuesday. Considering a hurricane was in the Gulf, you’d think we’d have darker threatening skies.
I moved things in the garage so I could store my car and put sand bags by the side door of the garage. My friend Vickie helped with sand bags at the garage door and front door. Then I charged my phone, tablet, and computer, said prayers, and stayed inside until the storm passed and landed. Hurricane Idalia made landfall Wednesday morning further north on the Gulf coast, but the storm around the center pummeled much of the Gulf coast. Storm surge was expected everywhere along the Florida Gulf coast. Storm surge is a change in sea level caused by a storm. Large waves can be generated by the strong winds, pushing high levels of water inland. It can lead to extensive flooding, with waves so strong they can erode beaches and highways and take out buildings.
Sprinkles of rain off and on came Tuesday evening and the morning of Wednesday. Luckily we did not have a heavy rain, and the winds were tolerable. The real damage to most of the Gulf coast came from storm surge. There was flooding around Fort Myers, St Petersburg, Crystal River, and Tampa from storm surge.
Storm surge in my area was predicted for 6 to 9 feet, but I wonder if we got that. That would certainly have knocked out power and flooded my street. (The pressure around the storm can pull water away from the coast as it travels closer. After it passes and the pressure decreases, the water rushes back in a big wave to cover the land. When a storm surge races into land it floods and knocks out transformers causing loss of electricity.)
I sat with the TV on all day Wednesday watching the weather report. Just like with election results, they repeat themselves over and over. They show films of flooding around the coast. By 11 AM the sky was blue again. I was under a Tornado Watch until 3 PM and under a Storm Surge Warning until 7 PM. I thank God that I was spared both. I did not even lose my power. Yeah! I thank all of you for your thoughts and prayers in the last few days. Keep Florida in mind next week as another storm is building up in the Gulf and is predicted to come our way again. With climate change, the number and intensity of storms is growing every year. I am seriously considering selling and moving more inland away from the coast. I’ve been thinking and planning for next year. My medical problem last year and the operation in April delayed really working on it, but I am starting to take small steps. More to follow!
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Praying for your safety.
Thank you for your prayers – I thank God I am safe and sound.
It’s always good to well prepared. Good to know there ain’t much damage. Is it a hurricane season there?
Florida’s hurricane season is from June 1st to November 1st. With global warming the number and intensity of hurricanes has grown alarmingly. Thanks for the kind thoughts Angie – have a beautiful day!
I’m so glad you are okay, Carol! You have definitely been in my thoughts. Praying the storm passes completely and you have no damage.
The hurricane landed about 8 am yesterday crossed from Florida into Georgia and up the east coast. Long gone. I am so lucky to have no problems. Thanks for being my friend April. Your friendship is a treasure.
I don’t think I know where in Florida you are located but I am very grateful that you were all right and that your property was fine too, no power loss. Hang on to that water. The season is just starting. I hope this is the worst it gets.
I am in Pasco County northwest of the Tampa area but considered part of Tampa Bay area. Below me is Pinellas County with Tarpon Springs in the north then Clearwater and finally St. Petersburg at the far south of the county. Tampa and St Pete always have lots of flooding during storms as they are right on the water.
I hope you stay safe. You seem very well prepared!!
Idalia is long gone but there are more storms developing. Thanks for your kind thoughts.
So very glad you were okay during the storm! I know there was a lot of damage, so I’m glad you were spared!!! Hope you do well the rest of hurricane season!
thanks Stacy – I thank God that I am safe and happy and keeping those affected in my prayers.
Glad that you are safe. As you say, these storms seem to be becoming more fierce and frequent. Will keep you in my thoughts next week. It’s a shame you feel that you have to move, Tampa is such a lovely place. Take care #MMBC
I appreciate your good thoughts and thank you. Yes coastal life is wonderful until a hurricane hits. I am looking into moving into more of the center of Florida. You can still get hit with a hurricane occasionally and will get rain from most of the hurricanes the go up either side of the state. But instead of multiple hurricane warnings (means it’s coming) it is more tropical storm watches (saying we’ll ‘get effects from the storm). I’ve been in Florida since the late 1970s. Instead of occasionally having a hurricane, now it’s multiple ones a summer. It’s just too much.
I am glad that it wasan’t too bad. I was thinking about you and others I know in Florida but when I saw that the weather channel kept showing a flower basket swaying in the wind that I couldn’t have been that bad. Of course some areas did have some destruction.
There was massive flooding in many locations – Ft Myers, Sarasota, St Pete, Clearwater, Tampa, Crystal River and more – I was exceedingly lucky. I don’t know why the weather channel showed a flower basket – strange.
We had a lot of rain on and off and some wind. Thankfully no limbs down. It is always a bit scary, especially not knowing where the storm will land. But the Lord protected us again this time, which we are very grateful for. Praying for those who lost so much north of us.
Everyone affected by the storm are in my prayers. Now the question is when does the next one come?
I have been remembering you in prayer, Carol, and am so thankful to hear that you are okay and there wasn’t damage at your home.
thanks Debbie – it’s great being your friend and I appreciate your prayers. Have a great weekend
Cuídate mucho. Rezare por ti. Te mando un beso.
Better be prepared and not need it. I’m glad to hear you are safe and not too much damage in your area.
I was lucky I know. Have a lovely weekend.
Thank goodness you didn’t seem to get the huge storm surges that were predicted and that you are safe.
I am indeed lucky that I escaped flooding.
I’m glad that you weathered the storm with little disruption. It can be so scary. And you’re right the reporters repeat and repeat but when disaster ie imminent, I seem to be glued to the news anyway. Our coastal area was affected and there was some flooding but because we are inland, we received mostly rain. We were blessed and did not lose power. Thank you for sharing your experience and I can’t wait to see what you have planned for future preparation. Take care and thank you for sharing at #aclwcc. Pinned.
thank you Clearissa for your support – you’re a good friend
So glad you’re okay Carol. What a nightmare these hurricanes are!
They are indeed scary and I’m finding it harder to deal with as I age.
I’m so glad you made out okay in the storm! We have family that live closer to Tampa and had some flooding but luckily no structural damage.
thanks Joanne – I’m glad your family is safe.
Its great to be prepared for emergencies.
We live in an earthquake prone area so I have also prepare a grab and go bag.
I think earthquakes are so frightening. Stay safe!
It’s very scary living in an area that is prime for hurricanes. Despite having to prep for it, I’m glad everything ended up ok.
thanks Judee for your good thoughts.
So relieved to hear that you are safe Carol! It must be quite frightening.
Keeping you in my thoughts. Take care!
Glad to hear you came through the storm ok!
Thank you for sharing at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2023/09/some-capital-photos.html
I would be so frightened glad you came through it all sending my best wishes to you from London ?
Have a calmtastic week ?
You seemed well prepared Carol. It appeared to be not quite as bad as you feared . It’s a shame you are now thinking to maybe move inland but I am sure you know best, not me living where we never see hurricanes.
You’re safe from hurricanes due to your cold ocean. Of course I know you do get storms- everyone does. As I age, it gets harder to deal with the tropical storms and the idea of evacuating. I have to consider my options.
Oh gosh! How scary. I complain about the weather here but at least we don’t have hurricanes. It sounds like you were well prepared. I am glad things were not as bad as you expected. x
thanks Kim – have a great week!
My husband and I both have family in Florida, and it seems that the weather worsens each year (and the insurance situation along with it). Your plans to move may be wise but I wonder if there is going to be anywhere in Florida that will truly be safe in a few more years. Alana ramblinwitham
Yes I agree that moving from Florida is a good idea, but my breathing does not do well with forced air heating. I don’t know where I would move. First I’ll try central Florida and say a prayer.
So glad you were safe during the storm.
Hugs and blessings, Carol.