OK, let's talk weather.

[Frank Capua]

Fort Meyers Beach looks a lot like Mexico Beach did a couple years ago.

[Truth Detector]

Next up is apparently Charleston, SC. Not sure how much rain Ian is still packing but Charleston is basically built at sea level IIRC.

[Unzerdog]

My big brother in Lakewood Ranch checked in. No damage, never lost power.

Certainly counting our lucky stars tonight for sure.
that sob came right up to their doorstep and rattled the knocker.

It's pretty stressful watching family 900 miles away. And not a thing you can do about it.

It is sickening to see what happened down further south.

[Truth Detector]

Don't let this take a political turn but the rebuild is going to be a long one. There aren't enough materials for builders already. The supply chains will limit the inflow of materials even if they had it. And if they had all the materials there is a shortage of labor.

[Unzerdog]

Next up is apparently Charleston, SC. Not sure how much rain Ian is still packing but Charleston is basically built at sea level IIRC.

Charleston can handle a CAT 1. The interior farmlands and Carolina mountains and southwest Virginia, they don't handle these tropical remnants too well. It can be worse there than at the shore.

[Truth Detector]

Not worried about winds. Just curious about the rain. But anything will seem mild by comparison.

[Jim Wilke]

We had a wonderful summer ... until July 10. Since then, a ton of rain. 62 days out of the last 3 months which is a new record, previous was 54.

How about you, ever get that much rain and when?

[KevMcNJ]

Our house is maybe 15-20 miles west of I-77.

Ian remnants cruised along a little East of 77.

We had a night of heavy rain and unnerving winds.

The rain doesn't bother us. Our street slopes downward. Heavy rain always passes thru our yard and keeps on going and our roof is almost new.

Winds are what kept us holding our breath all night as our home is ringed on three sides by very tall trees. We were fortunate. No damage.

I was in touch with a guy I've known since high school who lives in Cape Coral. They got some damage. Hes an RN. I dont think it's wrong to share a snippet of our chat here....


20221001_120320.jpg

[akh]

I was in touch with a guy I've known since high school who lives in Cape Coral. They got some damage. Hes an RN. I dont think it's wrong to share a snippet of our chat here....

20221001_120320.jpg

Yikes. Sounds ominous. The photos from Sanibel and Fort Myers Beach remind me of Bolivar Peninsula after Ike. Cajun Navy and Coast Guard looking for survivors on Sanibel, and some still wouldn't leave.

[KevMcNJ]

My buddy says he stayed at the house. His wife and daughter rode out the storm in Lakeland where their son lives.

He says it was stupid of him to stay.

They live in one of those developments where a canal is your backyard. I dont know what they call them.

[Truth Detector]

They live in one of those developments where a canal is your backyard. I dont know what they call them.

Cape Coral

[Truth Detector]

Got this update from my sister who owns a condo at the marina in Cape Coral. There’s a lot going on and they are part-timers on the fifth floor so they got off relatively easy.

We learned that no condos sustained window damage but the rooftop air conditioning did. They are clearing the roof next week to begin restoration. Ft Myers airport is still closed to commercial flights. (Husband’s) flight for next week was canceled. He rescheduled for Saturday night- Monday am next weekend to fly into Punta gorda Instead. We won’t know specifics about our condo until then. They will hopefully have power restored by then, but the building’s electrical panels are not restored yet. They were damaged by the storm too. Praying for zero mold. The elevators need to be pumped out before repair can begin there. Glad we are only on the 5th floor! We will go back the week of October 24th for a week to hopefully get our bearings on the area and help where we can. We are still going to have Christmas there with the kids and will not plan on returning until then unless we are needed. We are visiting (SIL and BIL) in November in Austin, unless we have to cancel to return to Cape Coral.

[akh]

Got this update from my sister who owns a condo at the marina in Cape Coral. There’s a lot going on and they are part-timers on the fifth floor so they got off relatively easy.

Good to hear that. Amazing that there wasn't window damage, must be newer construction. Fingers crossed for them.

Finger pointing beginning about if residents were given adequate (and accurate) notice about the storm and evacuation. We can dive into that if we want, but it was interesting to read that many people develop a fixation on the initial forecast they hear and don't pursue updates/changes. I'm beginning to think they should eliminate the centerline for the Cone of Uncertainty. Having it there subconsciously allows viewers to focus on one spot.

[Truth Detector]

Good to hear that. Amazing that there wasn't window damage, must be newer construction. Fingers crossed for them.

Thanks. Not sure exactly when the building was constructed but we vacationed near there about 20 years ago and the building wasn't there. The hurricane shutters on her unit were installed in the last 3-4 years.

Finger pointing beginning about if residents were given adequate (and accurate) notice about the storm and evacuation. We can dive into that if we want, but it was interesting to read that many people develop a fixation on the initial forecast they hear and don't pursue updates/changes. I'm beginning to think they should eliminate the centerline for the Cone of Uncertainty. Having it there subconsciously allows viewers to focus on one spot.

People must not understand hurricane forecasts then. The Euro model was pretty accurate. Between conversations with my dad and my sister I believe there was plenty of notice even once the American model changed. I don't understand those who choose to ride it out. Part of me says that somebody who chooses to stay when there is an evacuation notice shouldn't be allowed to use 911 when it turns against them. I realize that won't happen but it is incredibly unfair to those first responders who are put in life threatening situations due to the selfishness of others.

[akh]

People must not understand hurricane forecasts then. The Euro model was pretty accurate. Between conversations with my dad and my sister I believe there was plenty of notice even once the American model changed. I don't understand those who choose to ride it out. Part of me says that somebody who chooses to stay when there is an evacuation notice shouldn't be allowed to use 911 when it turns against them. I realize that won't happen but it is incredibly unfair to those first responders who are put in life threatening situations due to the selfishness of others.

I agree, but there are a lot of people who don't understand it as well as you and I do. While I agree totally with you on evacuating, I try to be understanding that some people lack money, transportation, etc. to get out. But they could have gotten to a shelter a day ahead. Calling 911 during the height of the storm...sorry, but you are on your own.

Read this article this morning. Really impressive and forward-thinking new neighborhood. 12 miles from Ft. Myers, all solar, streets designed to hold floodwaters, underground utilities...this can be a model for rebuilds. Need a lot of room for the solar array, but probably a good idea to minimize building density in a vulnerable coastal setting.

https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/02/us/solar-babcock-ranch-florida-hurricane-ian-climate/index.html