I'm all buttoned up with plywood on the windows, the camper is tied down and I have about 50 gallons of potable water stored in buckets, bottles and whatever else is handy. My shop, the Savage, power tools and reloading room are on their own . All the long guns are in a closet in what I'm hoping is the safe end of the house.  
 The generator is stored on the back porch with a bunch of extension cords. I know about running it away from the house to avoid CO2 exhaust fumes after the storm.
 Just found out I'm baby sitting an older couple for the duration and maybe longer depending on how their house held up in the storm. Couldn't say no to them but it's another level of stress my wife will have to deal with. Picking them up tomorrow afternoon.
 I'll keep everybody updated and thanks for the well wishes.

They still aren't sure of it's path but it has moved a little west. The latest forecast is calling for steady 80 mile an hour winds with gusts close to 100 in my area. Miami is going to get whacked with storm surge along with the lower tip of Florida. The Keys are under a mandatory evacuation along with most of the shoreline properties all the way up to St Augustine which is getting a mandatory evacuation also starting Saturday.
 Saw an interesting fact on the weather channel, Florida is about 135 miles wide and Irma is over 650 miles wide. I'm going to get hit no matter what path it takes, even up the west coast.  More to come

I just looked at the 5 day, and Irma might be a late guest at MMRanch's weekend shindig.  Stew may get some heavy rain at home as well.

Is it looking better?

Looks like it might just pass under Florida, yes?

Head to the Yucatan?

Badwolf, looks like it's coming your way and will just skim the east coast. Still bracing for it, a glancing blow from a base ball bat still hurts. There is an older couple from around the corner who will weather the storm out with us so guess what? The wife had had me running around cleaning the house all day WTF it's a hurricane not a social event and the house will probably get a whole lot of dirt and crap tracked into it what with the dogs needing to go out every few hours. Man, I have to cut off her coffee;)
  1300 miles from Buffalo in under 24 hours, if you were on a bike and you did say you rode it makes it's an Iron Butt ride.

The wife had had me running around cleaning the house all day WTF it's a hurricane not a social event and the house will probably get a whole lot of dirt and crap tracked into it what with the dogs needing to go out every few hours.


Phhht,,,  no..
I Seriously doubt anyone who is offered a place to ride out a HURRICANE will be busy judging their hosts because something needs done because They Have Been BUSY getting ready for a picnic, err, hurricane..
Geeze, she needs to chill.

It has been almost 100 years since Tampa was hit with a major hurricane.  

Best regards,

A clean house is important , when it lands in a new neighborhood .
Sorry Ed I'm not siding with your wife.
All hopes & prayers are with you all.
Watching the news , people moving everything ,sealing their homes and leaving , sitting in traffic , what a adventure !
Staying behind to ride it out , that's the real adventure , Good Luck !