I'm in Clearwater, just west of Tampa. We did not expect this impact earlier this week, but we have prepared and I think/hope/pray that it pays off.
I have to give serious hat's off to all the local and state governments in handling this whole situation. For whatever anyone wants to say about Governor Scott - and I don't have a high opinion of him in general - he made good calls on this one:
-Did NOT bow to the insipid demand by many to contraflow the interstates. This would've severely restricted the ability for provisions/fuel/resources to flow south which aided the evacuation north.
-Requested neighboring states to lift weight restrictions on tanker trucks to allow them to come in fully-laden with fuel.
-Ordered Florida Highway Patrol escorts to tankers coming out of the Port of Tampa, a Port that operated until last night at 8PM and is responsible for ~43% of all fuel coming into the state by ship.
-Declared a State of Emergency EARLY in the game.
-Suspended toll collection on all tolled expressways
-Allowed use of shoulders on northbound interstate lanes
-Moving the state's emergency command to Orlando to be in the middle of the action
-Actively and early made it known that absurd price gouging will not be tolerated.
-Activating the National Guard. Already, I've seen USMC Reserves activated and deploying to their facility on Gandy with amphibious transports and the National Guard has assets staged at the Largo Police HQ.
I also have to commend my fellow Floridians on generally not being a bunch of assholes during this week lead-up to today. Don't believe fake news and sensationalism; gas is only completely unavailable in the Tampa Bay area today because everyone is closed to prep themselves. A few select Thornton's stations have closed the store and left pumps
on so if you have a credit card, you have access to fuel. Bottled water has been in short supply, but generally speaking, food and fuel has been available. Gas lines were occasionally ridiculous, but manageable.
Today is very somber, very pensive. We know what is going to happen and are ready for the worst. I think everyone locally has either evacuated or prepared as much as possible. Its zero hour, folks. It is what it is at this point.
Many of my friends and co-workers have decided to evacuate out of the area, especially those in low-lying coastal zones. I've decided to stay, mainly because everything I have is here (my home, my businesses), my girlfriend and her entire family is here, and my father is in the hospital - which is frankly the best place for him right now...at least he'll have power and A/C. Also, I'm 57ft above sea level in a non-evac zone, so people locally are coming [b]here[/i]. I am stocked with three vehicles all filled with fuel (two are SUVs I took from the dealership), extra portable power sources for electronics, $20 worth of Dollar Tree alkaline AAs for radios/lights, plenty of water, a fair amount of ice, a decent supply of food, filled tubs, sinks, and anything else with water for toilers, and personal protection. I also have access to an entire dealer's worth of boats in case things get that bad and we need to help out on Monday/Tuesday.
To all fellow RVF Floridians - be strong, stay smart, and most of all be safe. We'll come though this. And worst comes to worst, I'll get a selfie with God Emperor Trump giving me a hot dog and Ruffles in a Styrofoam container.
9.9 - Convoy of ambulances evacuating North Bay Hospital
9.9 - Over 100 PSTA buses staged at Clearwater High School
9.9 - Dipshits who think 'get rid of loose debris that may become flying missiles' means 'leave at it the Goodwill truck'
9.9 - Downtown Tarpon Springs. If the surge is high enough, the flooding damage will be catestrophic
9.9 - Sandbag line in Palm Harbor. The County facility is about a quarter mile in from this road. This was at about 9:30AM.
9.10 - Downtown Clearwater and Clearwater Harbor. That bridge is the Memorial Causeway and it has been closed along with all access to the Barrier Islands (St. Pete Beach to Honeymoon Island).