This morning it was partly cloudy in beautiful Alachua County and it didn't even "smell" like a storm was coming. I went to an appointment earlier this afternoon. On my way back Helene decided to dump a truckload of rain so big that for a short time everyone on the road had to slow way down and I even turned on my emergency flashers. SInce then the rain has been coming and going. These are Helene's outer bands. No major winds (yet). Our little dog is shivering b/c of the thunder.
Sending you love and protection sister Libra. And @lowtide too and anyone else from the Forum (and beyond that I don't know to name here) who may be in Helene's path.
I am asking the Angels to mitigate wherever they are able across Helene's path and thanking Mother Earth for her forbearance with us humans, even as I request that she too, whenever, however, possible, mitigate her power and energy as much as she is able.
Namaste
@tesseract thank you Libra sister for that!!! I have quite a few pines on this 2 acre lot ... with lots of deer,birds,chipmunks,squirrels and much more.... not to mention the now 4 cats and senior dog here with me. I have spent the day prepping and making sure all emergency supplies are gathered and in order. I have one senior kitty with diabetes so I have an emergency cooler I will fill with frozen gel packs should we lose power so appreciate all prayers for no damages to our home here. We have had 4 inches of rain already from a system that isn't even associated with Helene who will bring an additional 5-7 inches along with high sustained winds 60 mph +... gusting even higher. I have prepared as much as possible as I remember Opal in 1995. One forecaster said this one will be one talked about for years to come ... so definitely yes .... pray for all of us in her path. I appreciate all prayers for safety of our home and our furry lives.
Hurricane Helene is nearing Cat 4 status and will affect all 159 counties of Georgia.
I am as prepped as I can be... now? It's just a nervous waiting game. It's gonna be bad y'all ... it is now a hurricane up to just one hour south of me. I am right on the edge of the worst and just barely out of the "dirty side" so it could change at any time. I ask for prayers of protection for us and our animals ... I am too old for this s*** and am by myself with my critters. It will be hitting my area anywhere from 5am to 7am. I'd rather not have downed trees or lose power ... but I am emergency prepared if I do. Praying for all of us in her path. 🙏🏻💙🪽💙🙏🏻
@journeywithme2 Sending thoughts of strength and prayers of protection. I'm in Asheville, NC, and we've had torrential rains for two days and nights and some flooding in the area. My sisters are in metro-Atlanta, and so I'm also jittery for them. I hope this moves through quickly.
It's passing by Tampa now. Strong winds and rising waters. Power is out. Hoping for no tornadoes. It will be past us by 8:30.
Praying for protection for all the living beings in the path of this storm. May everyone have shelter, food, and water. May the authorities be safe as they carry out emergency services. May elected officials make decisions that are for the greatest good of all.
Inland North Central Florida-- light rain and breezy. That's all so far. It hardly rained at all today, which was a surprise. But we are supposed to have 100% chance of tropical storm force sustained wind ( above 39 mph) later on tonight. I am not particularly worried about myself- however I have a sister living 40 miles closer to the coast and I am a little concerned about the wind effects on her place. She knows the hurricane drill and should be OK but still, if anyone can put a shield around Janice in Gilchrist County it would be appreciated. Thank you and I hope all you others in the path come through unscathed.
Cedar Key drone footage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDVfWlMjUcE
Note that most of the damage is from storm surge , not so much the wind. Plenty of intact roofs, and places that are built up high on piers (where the water just washed underneath)generally fared OK. At 0:31 there is footage of a older small cottage rental complex- not on piers and right near the water.. We spent a weekend there a couple of years ago. It was very nice. Not so much anymore.
Thank you all that sent prayers,Light,Love and Protection!! I am grateful and thankful - managed to stay on the east side of Helene... only lost power from 12:30am to 3:36 am.... have had 12 inches of rain since Wednesday and the ground is saturated to the point it can not absorb anymore so flash flooding is going on ... but all good here and not going anywhere so ... much gratitude! Walking my little dog on the back yard this morning.
Thank you for the good vibes. We are pretty much unscathed and did not lose power. The wind was pretty fierce for a couple of hours before midnight, but there wasn't a huge amount of rain.
However my neighbor had a tree come down in her backyard at 1 AM. A branch broke through her bedroom window leaving broken glass all over her bed! Fortunately, she was in the living room, not the bed, because she hadn't been able to sleep. Somebody was watching over her for sure. Nearby, there are more trees down and a couple of downed power lines.
My sister is fine, too, except for there are escaped cows walking around her yard. LOL 😮 Thank you again!'
How is everyone else in the path?
It was a rough night in our area of Tampa Bay FL. Water came up about 7 feet, peaking at about 6 inches into our building's garages. The garages are on ground level, condos all above. Everyone's cars are ok. The water came up fast and receded fast. Our power was off from 6 pm yesterday until 10 am today. I have probably lost my freezer which was in our garage, but had bought plenty of ice so all our food is okay. Thank the Lord. Others didn't fare nearly so well. Praying for them!
This morning at 3 am our building's fire alarm went off (battery backup issue). All of us gathered down in the parking lot in our pajamas. Fun times. Get to know your neighbor 😄.
Very relieved to have our home intact. Hope everyone here is faring well today.
So happy to hear the three of you are ok. Lowtide, what a relief to only have the six inches in the garage.
Many blessings to be found.
There are still members in our forum (active and lurkers) who are in danger. Prayers for those in Tennessee, western North Carolina and the Ohio Valley. Any other areas I have missed. And the 4 plus million without power.
If you can read this and this relates to you, let us know how things are going.
Just wondering how Helene and her catastrophic damages will affect North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia and others voting. Will these strong Maga red areas turn away from the tangerine toddler ... whose 2025 plan is to basically disassemble NOAA and federal responses such as disaster assistance and aid ? Much the way he dissembled the CDC hobbling their response to the Covid Pandemic??? throwing out Obama's Pandemic response protocol?
https://www.factcheck.org/2024/09/a-guide-to-project-2025/
not to mention what DeJoy has done to our postal system!!!
And there is yet another system incubating and expected to materialize in 7-10 days.
I was thinking about how people would be able to vote. IF they leave the state many will not be able to register to vote there as registration deadlines are fast approaching too.
It will impact voting, for sure. Wiped out polling places as well as displaced voters, transportation problems, closed roads.