Forecasters (which can be wrong) are now predicting a possible Stage 5 hurricane Irma heading directly to my state of Florida. People are already boarding up well in advance of landfall of possibly Sunday. My lovely XK is tucked away in a garage, but that's the least of my worries if this hurricane is the real deal of anything near a stage 5!!!!! Wish me luck fellow forum members. Maybe I should go out and get a snorkel, flippers, and a paddle?

 

Hell, get outa there, get in your car and drive northwest!

 

Where are you located? I hated the year I spent in Florida for Navy boot camp and A school. Flat, sandy and humid.

Are you going to armor up the garage and house? 2x4's on the garage doors.

 

Drive that bad boy up here boca. I can't put you up but can keep you company. Take a road trip north sir.

 

Good luck down there.

 

Thanks everyone for all the well wishes and good lucks! I'm planning on hunkering down as I have for the last 22 years living here. My home is CBS (concrete block and stucco) so I have a fighting chance. I just hope I don't lose my roof or I'll be floating on my refrigerator wearing a Beatles Let IT Be T-Shirt. PS.....Category 5 (Highest Hurricane Category) is just about unheard of here and if a direct hit only a fall out shelter could be helpful.

 

Well then at least fill the fridge with beer buddy.

 

I was in a Cat 4 once and it was terrible!! Had to go to a Red Cross Shelter overnight.
Longest 24 hrs of my life.

 

Folks are in a panic down here, but rumors of store shelves empty of the necessary staples are grossly overblown as I've found the wine selection to still be extensive and representative of many top notch vintners and vintages. I did manage to obtain secure space for the beloved cat, in a bird toy warehouse of all places...I wonder if the cat will play?

 

Good luck and best wishes to all you guys down in Florida. Just heard that they are now predicting the worst to be on the Eat Coast. Protect your Cats.

 

That's right. East coast of Florida.....That me!!!!! yikes! I'm wondering if it's better to have my Jag with the nose towards the garage door or the rear at the door. Does it actually matter if I lose my roof?

 

if i were you , i'd reverse the car in and have the nose at the door .
every thing on the front bolts off for replacement , the same can not be said for the rear .
i wish you and every one else in the line of fire the very best of luck . no one deserves this , so stay safe , if it were me id be bracing the door like ranchero50 suggested and then i'd brace that brace with myself as safe guard .

 

I don't think it'll matter. If that thing comes ashore as a Cat 5 you are screwed. For reference, F3 tornado will push a railroad engine over. Think of it as a 50 mile wide tornado that lasts a couple hours.

The Fujita Scale

I think the very best you could do if you can't get it out of the path is strap it down in a conex box that's anchored to concrete. If you lose the roof, shrapnel damage will destroy the car but you'll probably have more pressing things to worry about. At the very least I would reinforce the garage door and layer the car with old comforters. Hopefully your door is sheltered from East winds.

Some of the videos of high winds are just incomprehensible.

 

Just curious, why would you risk 'hunkering' down when you have the option to leave?

 

Not enough gasoline to get very far. Family here and have no place to go. Most flights cancelled. Pretty scary.

 

Alcohol helps the scary but unfortunately it also increases the stupid. Stay safe and for the love of Mike, don't leave us hanging. We won't be your priority (I hope) but let us know you're OK when she blows over.

 

Thanks Sean for the very kind words. I really really wish this storm shifts as the population where I reside is super dense. Millions of people could be affected. Not sure what else I could do at this time. Hurricane shutters are all in place, plenty of water and food, most valuables accounted for and many pictures taken of inside and outside of home. The weak link are the roofs, although up to code for 1999, nothing can withstand a direct hit. Keeping my fingers crossed. It would be sad to see so many people's lives change withing a few hours. As Long as I have power and internet I will report in. Nice to have friends on this forum.

 

stay safe!!! monitoring closely from the Charleston area as well

 

I am going to volunteer and drive to Miami with generator and gasoline.
It going to be a bear.

 

Hang in there Boca! We are all hoping for the best. Stay safe!