Well, it seems that we've been spared the worst of it.

However, Charley just hit FTM at a category 4, 145mph winds, and a possible 12-15 ft storm surge!!!

Keep those folks in your thoughts. I only think of how I felt last night, threatened by the thought of losing everything. I hope all of our FTM OSO friends are safe.

Good luck down there, Be safe!!!

This is not good at all.

I wouldn't wish that on anyone. I did not know that it had been upgraded to a #4. WOW

Good luck everyone and be safe! Our thoughts are with you.

My daughter use to live in Fort Myers, I miss visiting that area. Hope Charley goes easy on them.

looks like the eye is going to hit punta gorda and port charlotte within the hour.
unfortunataly my parents and my brother live there. my parents just went to my brothers house a little while ago and i'm praying they will all be alright.
i went through hugo and wouldn't wish that on anyone. but this storm is much stronger and can't imagine what they are going through right now.
i have been in touch with them, but don't know how much longer the phones will work.

Anyone know how much storm surge was in Ft. Meyers? Maybe it is to early to tell?

It's just the beginning, last report I heard the surge had reached 4 feet with more to come. The predicted is 12-15.

Keep your heads down guys. Stay safe!!

Is there enyone from cape coral that can tell us what is going on .
did the surge come on shore? (family down there!)
rr

http://www.weather.com/activities/ve...html?clip=1040

The Keys had very minimal damage....winds around 65. This info was from the Weather Channel

Charlie was supposed to go inland at Marco Island, but instead decided to follow the coast. Fortunately for me, it instinctively followed the water and ducked "inland" by following Charlotte Harbor and heading off in a northeast direction towards Arcadia then heading straight towards Jacksonville.

Deb and I missed 145 mph winds by about thirty five miles. We saw a couple of gusts to around 75/80 and some sustained around 50 or so. I cannot believe our good luck. Less than 35 miles and we'd been in 145 mph winds.

So tomorrow we take everything back off the house. All in all, it was more or less a typical good ole Florida rainstorm for us.

It was reported that parts of the south side of Charlotte Harbor sustained a 19 foot storm surge, with the rest of the harbor 13/15 surge.

35 miles made the difference on whether we lost everything or not. That was way too close for me.

Good luck to those in the center of the state who were not expecting it and are not really prepared. They will need luck also.