This is very topical AND very tropical. Hurricane Charley looks like it's going to score a direct hit on Marion County, FL. We are 70' above sea level, and well inland, but expect to get battered by wind damage and lots of rain. Most horseowners are riding it out, and our four horses will have to fend for themselves in the pastures. We plan to take our 7 smaller animals to our daughter's better-built house around 10 miles further east. Will try to update you guys as appropriate (and as long as the power lasts)!

Good luck in surviving the hurricane. Prayers just said. Last yr we survived Isabel so we know what you are going thru. Stay safe folks... <img src="http://www.arlo.net/ubb/smilies/peace.gif" width=16 height=16>

Stay safe! Both human and equine!

Mikey, hope you WILL/CAN continue to update all Blunderites! Stay safe, be careful,& hope ya can find pleasure in visiting your daughter. Good Luck to ya'll!
Will be sendin Great Big Blundervibes for all in Charley's path.
Best wishes for your family.
Ruth

What Larry said ... hope you all ride out the storm safely!

Blundervibes going to all, no matter how many legs you/they have. Be safe.

Looks like our county is going to be spared a direct hit as Charley aims for Orlando and Daytona Beach. Prediction is for 50 mph winds between 11-12 pm here, which is far better than originally predicted. Let's all send prayers and Blundervibes to the folks in Charley's path.

be safe!

Blundervibes from OZ, Mikey! to you and all others threatened by this force of nature. I have horses too and had to move them inland (along with two dogs and a cat) once when a level 4 cyclone threatened Townsville in north Queensland where I spent a couple of years in the late 90,s., so I know how it feels. Take care. Louise.

Hope you can stay safe, Mikey, & please keep us updated.

Well, as you all know by now, North Central FL was spared by Charley, but the SW coast was not as lucky. Blundervibes and prayers for all those who suffered from this tragedy. Living in FL is a little bit like playing Russian Roulette; sooner or later, the chamber's gonna be loaded.

...happy to hear you are okay and were spared the worst, Mikey....
....do you know anything about the Port Richey area??....it's hard to get specific info about certain areas, though i'm going to go look again..... seems like there was so much damages, no one really knows much yet.....

Port Richey was on the west side of the storm, so it too was spared the worst. Port Charlotte, Fort Meyers, and especially Punta Gorda where a buddy from Staten Island, NY is retiring to later this year were hit hard.