I want to thank everyone who expressed concern for our safety during Hurricane Ian. Just like Hurricane Charley in 2004, this was a category 4 hurricane that was predicted to hit the Tampa Bay area but changed course and hit Southwest Florida. This storm was far bigger in size, though, than Charlie. one graphic I saw put Charlie inside the eye of Ian.
The storm is so big that it is still quite windy here almost 22 hours after the storm made landfall. It is looking like the damage caused by this storm could be among the worst in history. I have not heard of any loss of life and I hope that is the case. I also hope the people impacted can get back to normal life as quickly as possible.
Here we had little damage in our area. The power is out at my work so I am home today. I saw the governor say that 150,000 are without power in my county, Pinellas. I don’t know if that is people or homes. It is a drop in the bucket compared to Southwest Florida. I joke that I have been dodging bullets for 34 years but this area has been spared for much longer than that.
I mentioned before about the Indian legend that says there is something here that repels hurricanes. The last time a hurricane made landfall in our county was in 1921. That one hit Tarpon Springs at the far northwest corner. None have ever hit, as far as I know, the peninsula part of the county where I live.
I went outside this morning to see if there was any damage and found only fallen tree branches.
Our cats made it through the storm well Nobody was nervous the entire time.
On a bright note, the sun just came out.
Bad Cat Chris 
thank COD you are safe and the kitties are none the worse for wear! I heard that same legend on the weather channel the other night (how your area repels hurricanes!!) hoping that remains the case for a looong time to come!
I just heard that story secondhand. It would have been cool to see it on the weather Channel.
So happy you are all safe with very little damage and power still on at home. Also happy to hear that none of the kitties were bothered. Maybe there is something to that Indian legend. XOCK, angel Lily Olivia, angel Mauricio, Misty May, angel Giulietta, angel Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth, Calista Jo, Cooper Murphy, Sawyer, Kizmet, Audrey & Raleigh
I believe it more and more every hurricane season.
Great update! Yay!
So happy to hear you and the kitties ‘weathered’ the storm well, Charles. They kept talking about how huge Ian’s eye was but seeing it with Charlie puts it all in perspective.
Yes, I was amazed.
So glad to hear you’re safe and sound. Peepers and I have been watchin’ the storm on CNN and my gosh it’s scary. Scary to watch and even scarier to be in. Stay safe, pals. PURRS
PS. That’ll be 150,000 customers without power. Some will be homes and some will be businesses and stuff. purrs
Thank you. I kind of figured that’s what it was.
Glad you and the boys safely weathered it.
Thank you.
Whew!
Yep. 🙂
So glad you are OK………….little branches are easy to deal with – thankfully no flooding or anything really AWFUL. YAY! That really is one HUGE storm.
Hugs, Pam
Thank you. We were lucky again.
Thanks for the
update, glad everything’s there!
Thank you.
I meant okay there …
Glad you survived the storm. Looks like you were very lucky to not have much damage. Unlike the photos I’ve seen of some other areas like Ft. Myers. The devastation is unbelievable.
Yes, it looks terrible. I lived on Pine Island when I first moved to Florida. The hurricane hit a small barrier island and then Pine Island. I’m glad I am not there now but feel bad for those that are.
I am glad your area was spared and you are safe.
Thanks so much.
We’re so glad you all are okay but it sure is a sad sight down south of you.
It sure is.
Very happy to hear that you made it through unscathed
Thanks.
The Weather Channel, this afternoon, was stating that 100+ had died during landfall. I can’t confirm…
I think a lot of that is premature. The governor talked about those reports and a lot of those were people calling 911 but responders have not yet been able to check on them.
Gotcha.
I knew what you meant. 🙂