#TSMilton will be #HurricaneMilton by the time it reaches Florida (Wednesday-Thursday); big enough to cover the whole peninsula, with potentially catastrophic effects.
"Get ready again" Cool, With what money?
(not blaming HIM, just the reality for millions here)
#TSMilton getting stronger, will be #HurricaneMilton tomorrow, and a MAJOR hurricane when it barrels over Florida all Wednesday and through Thursday.
We are very, very fucked. If you pray, spare one for us.
#HurricaneMilton is going to fuck up #Florida but good.
Shit is real and bad, and to add insult to injury, the drop in barometric pressure is already being felt here: my migraine is off the fucking charts; things like water are no longer available on shelves, and my job expects me to work late tonight (ETA: FROM HOME), to finish what we won't be able to do after we lose power.
Most of us worked fully remote today, and no one at my work unit is expected to go to the office for the rest of the week, regardless.
However, any late work done tonight will not be paid as overtime, since it's likely we won't be able to work later in the week.
This has not been spelled out, of course, it's just how it's happened during previous events since we went corporate.
Wednesday morning update: still have power and internet, has just started raining where I'm at. We expect the winds to really start by late afternoon, early evening where I'm at.
Walmart closed, no gas anywhere, the fear is palpable--but of course, we are working (remote) today to try to make up for the rest of the week.
3:15 pm update: internet has started to flicker; still have power, rain is fairly mild though constant, and the wind isn't too noticeable.
So far, so good--Central Florida, Greater Orlando area.
4:20 pm update: it's really dark outside, rain still mild but constant, some wind gusts. Tornado watch on until tomorrow, barometric pressure plummeting (the migraine is epic already). Power on, internet flickers.
Central Florida, Greater Orlando area
4:50pm: by the time it passes overhead where I am, it should be a less powerful hurricane, likely 3. Still BAD but less deadly for us. Flooding and tornadoes will still be a serious threat for a while.
Central Florida, Greater Orlando area
6:41pm: power still on, internet more stable over the past half hour. Rain paused, tornado risk same (watch level), eerie calm again.
Central Florida, Greater Orlando area
8pm update: power on, internet on, sporadic rain in between strong gusts of wind; tornado watch on overnight and likely to be extended in the morning Eye still shy of land.
It's gonna be a LONG night.
Central Florida, Greater Orlando area
9:15pm: power and internet flickering. Non-stop rain, the kind that falls in visible sheets; the wind comes and goes, so when the gusts hit, you feel the vibration in your bones (if you've lived through a hurricane, you know what I mean)
Central Florida, Greater Orlando
10:30pm: eye has landed; tornado watch ended; rain has let up some. Power and internet on, wind goes from dead air to powerful gusts. So far much better than I feared.
Central Florida, Greater Orlando area
Midnight: Milton a category 2. Lost power for a bit; under flash flood warning; gusts stronger and closer together; raining in waves. Despite all of which, it feels calmer now than it did an hour ago.
Central Florida, Greater Orlando area
12:30am: fewer gusts, more sustained, less potent wind. Continuous rain, flash flood warning. Have power and internet.
Going to try to sleep a couple of hours.
Central Florida, Greater Orlando area
Post-Milton: lost power around 5am, and with it my internet. Just got it back.
The storm wasn't as bad in my area, and other than a few tree branches and a whole lot of twigs and other green debris, we are good.
@herhandsmyhands Relieved to hear from you, and sad for the people who've been hit harder.
There was a post on Ask A Manager from someone remote working in the area hit hard by Helene, who is distraught because although her employer is supportive they have no idea what it's like when so much of your local infrastructure suddenly just isn't there any more, even when you personally haven't suffered any injuries much property damage.:-(
@JulesJones That's the thing.
There wasn't gas to be had by Tuesday evening, along with several kinds of regular grocery stuff, because hello, Helene fucked the supply chain but good.
So yeah, I have power but no gas, and while I have stuff I can eat for a couple of week, drinkable water will be a concern well before then.
And I am unbelievably lucky! I don't have to fight insurance for damage to my house.
@JulesJones Yes, exactly. And to be fair, NOAA did a helluva campaign telling people, since like Friday, to prepare. But again, Helene just two weeks before meant that there were threadbare shelves in most supermarkets, for things like oh, bottled water.
And in many areas here, drinking water from the faucet...yeah. Not really. So I'm just crossing my fingers some trucks can make their way down here (and to the Gulf coast!!!) soon.
@JulesJones right?
Like, my area is probably good at least for today, but most anywhere in the Gulf half of the state certainly will have issues---and at least the lower third of the state will have them soon too, what with tornadoes and storm surge on the back end of Milton.
Also: thank you; sincerely.
azteclady
JulesJones