It took me 3,3 1/2 hours to drive 8 miles to my grandmothers house after Andrew. I got lost part of the way because all the landmarks and signs were gone. Other parts of the drive I had to drive through backyards, ditches. Of course, the car's tires were all flat so it didn't matter what I drove over.
It did look (and feel) like a nuke hit. There were upside down tractor-trailers on top of 2 story roofs(!).

>Yeah I know what you mean about the Gulf current, they do like that warmer water. This one should easily be Cat 5 soon. I still can't get over the size of it, even bigger in width that Andrew. Had a paramedic friend go to Miami after Andrew, he said much of Miami looked like it was nuked. He was flying in a helicoptor and took pics, it was scary looking. Last one to really hit Orlando was Donna in 60, so few people here seem to be taking it serious.
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>>2PM advisory indicates that it's still heading west, almost looks like it took a bit of a southern jog, and it's sped up a bit. Yes, it looks like I'm heading out to pick her up tonight. Just wait 'till it hits that supercharger Gulf current....not to be fatalistic, but the Gulf current can add 10-20 MPH to storms.
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>>>I just heard, but can't confirm, the Governor declare state of emergency for Florida as well. CNN is calling it one of the greatests storms of the century. This thing is HUGE, grown considerably in the last 12 hours. City of Orlando officials (one of the best sources in this area for info rather than conjecture) is gearing up in a big way now. John, your daughter definitely ought to leave. I'm gonna watch it a while longer and probably leave town tommorrow with servers in tow.
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>>>>>I always said I wanted to see Floyd (Pink) return for an engagement, but this (Floyd Hurricane) is ridiculous.
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>>>>I was lucky enuff to see Floyd (Pink) on their last tour "division bell" in Raleigh on my wifes birthday (shes a Floyd freak). It was a Great show.
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>>>>>This is why this is such a concern: It's quite conceivable that the entire coast from central Florida up to NC will be hit with 150+ MPHS winds. BTW, they just extended the southern part of the watch from Hallandale, FL to Florida City (about 75 miles). Makes me wonder if they're thinking a continued western track at this point.
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>>>>I believe I would be moving inland for a few days. I'm 180 mile from the coast but you should have seen the triad area back when Hugo took a similar trak.
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>>>>Looks like hurricane Gert is becomming a monster to.