Anonymous wrote:Milton went south, Tampa is actually seeing a reverse storm surge, so it’s hopeful this will not be too bad.

Yeah the way I understand it the water got sucked out of Tampa Bay rather than pushed in. Very lucky.

Milton went south, Tampa is actually seeing a reverse storm surge, so it’s hopeful this will not be too bad.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel sad for the people of FL. Have they even recovered from the last hurricane yet? The news hasn't covered much at all. I have no idea if people are still out of power.

I do and I don't. These people choose to live in a state with a massive risk for yearly catastrophic weather. They don't pay a state income tax and my federal tax dollars go to bail them out again and again. There are 49 other nice states to live in. I'm so sick of the entitlement. People want to talk about government handouts? How much does rebuilding Florida three times a year cost us?

Almost 20% of the population of florida is under age 18 and probably not choosing to live there. About 13% of the population of Florida live in poverty and have few options but to keep living where they are (moving to a new area is very expensive…it’s a privilege to have means to make a move to another state happen.)

You act as though every person living there made a conscious decision to do so and they could just up and leave any time when that is often not true.

Well, instead of the government paying to rebuild their house in the same risky area, why don't they pay them to move somewhere safer instead? Even much of inland FL would be better than along the coast. I think we need to be having serious conversations about rebuilding in such flood prone areas (I'd say the same about parts of CA that are very susceptible to wildflires).

Anonymous wrote:
101mph gust recorded in St Petersburg just now.

Considering the sustained winds were 160 mph a day or two ago, this is encouraging. Sending thoughts and prayers to everyone in the area.

101mph gust recorded in St Petersburg just now.

Fort Myers: 5+ ft of storm surge and increasing.

Daytona Beach: hurricane wind speed of 76 mph.

1.6 million without power, minimum.

Roof of Tropicana Field Stadium, home of Tampa Bay Rays, is gone, which is a problem for first responders that were supposed to shelter there.

The roof shredded off Tropicana Field where the linesmen are sheltering and a crane fell in st Pete also

Anonymous wrote:It's easy to say "residents need to seek higher ground". How and where? The area is flat, and are people supposed to venture out in knee-deep water in record rain and wind in the darkness? It is simply not realistic. I understand why at this point most choose to stay at home.

You're supposed to stay in place. I'm getting the alerts (Hernando county) and they say shelter in place. If you're in a low lying area, get to the highest point you can.
The wind is so strong

Anonymous wrote:It's easy to say "residents need to seek higher ground". How and where? The area is flat, and are people supposed to venture out in knee-deep water in record rain and wind in the darkness? It is simply not realistic. I understand why at this point most choose to stay at home.

It's just the standard weather station warning. Anyone who is under that warning and is not on a second floor should have left yesterday anyway, because at this point there is no good option. Which goes back to what posters have been discussing. How do you interpret weather models and evacuation orders, which might or might not be accurate; and at what point does it make more sense for the government to force residents out of certain danger zones permanently, or for certain residents to throw in the towel by themselves?

It's easy to say "residents need to seek higher ground". How and where? The area is flat, and are people supposed to venture out in knee-deep water in record rain and wind in the darkness? It is simply not realistic. I understand why at this point most choose to stay at home.

Flash flood emergency issued for Lakeland, Winter Haven, Wesley Chapel. 8-12 inches of rain fallen already. Residents need to seek higher ground.

Flash flood emergencies will likely continue throughout the night as Milton moves through Florida. This poses a serious threat to life, as both staying and leaving, at night, with no visibility, is extremely dangerous.

Orlando and Daytona have to stay vigilant - flooding is coming their way.


Multiple weather stations are down due to 100mph+ wind gusts.

We do have to talk about which communities need to move due to climate change. Not just in Florida, but in all states with coastlines and many state that don't have them.

Let's not even start talking about how Phoenix and its suburbs don't have nearly enough water to exist.

Flash flood emergency issued for St Petersburg, Tampa, Riverview and Palmetto. 10-14 inches of rain fallen already. Residents need to seek higher ground.

Siesta Key is a beautiful beach. Very sad.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel sad for the people of FL. Have they even recovered from the last hurricane yet? The news hasn't covered much at all. I have no idea if people are still out of power.

I do and I don't. These people choose to live in a state with a massive risk for yearly catastrophic weather. They don't pay a state income tax and my federal tax dollars go to bail them out again and again. There are 49 other nice states to live in. I'm so sick of the entitlement. People want to talk about government handouts? How much does rebuilding Florida three times a year cost us?

Almost 20% of the population of florida is under age 18 and probably not choosing to live there. About 13% of the population of Florida live in poverty and have few options but to keep living where they are (moving to a new area is very expensive…it’s a privilege to have means to make a move to another state happen.)

You act as though every person living there made a conscious decision to do so and they could just up and leave any time when that is often not true.