I haven't moved my plants yet ... We have until tonight. Keeping a close eye on this slow moving storm. Rain begins tonight; winds are not expected until 4 pm tomorrow. I am secretly hoping it goes out to sea. The storm is very slow moving ... We expect the worse beginning Wednesday and into Thursday.

Right now, it is a very sunny 89 degrees F / humidity 72% and the sky is half intense blue / half grey. Birds are singing but all the lizards and geckos have disappeared!! If it weren't for that, the horrific sweltering heat (you're literally drenched in sweat after 2 minutes outside) and zero trade winds (not a leaf is moving), you'd never know a storm was approaching.

Wow, scarry, like they say "quiet before the storm" I feel sorry for the poor wildlife who has no chance of sheltering.

So sorry you're dealing with this. I dealt with my first hurricane as a homeowner the week before last when Harvey hit 30 miles from me. I was very fortunate, only lost two fences.

We were without power for 6 days and without internet for one additional day (I work from home so it was an issue.)

Are you all boarded up or do you have hurricane shutters?

This one is powerful! Harvey was a much weaker, but still deadly rainmaker. This storm will devastate whatever it comes near. It has recently trended more south. (closer to you) Please seek safe shelter!

Maria Elena, just saw this on the news here in Australia. Very scary looking....We know here in Australia how devastating these storms can be, we call them cyclones here. Please do everything to keep yourself and family safe. Family are the only thing that matters during times like this. Plants can be replaced, but people cannot. Find a safe place in your home and know others are thinking of you....Please, please, everyone in Irma's path stay safe....Rachel.

Agartta , thank you. You would think after all these years and after living through hurricanes it would be less stressful but I think that Harvey has spooked us all. Water is gone in most stores and gas stations are waiting for shipments. Schools are already scheduling closures this week.

Maria Elena take care and I pray that it moves very fast past you.

I just read that this storm is the strongest EVER in the Atlantic. Please be careful!

Rachel - welcome back, nice to see you back :)

Forecasters say those in the path of the Category 5 storm include tiny Anguilla as well as the islands of Barbuda and Anegada. All will be near or directly in the path of Irma. Caribbean and Florida Keys is on the path. Keep safe all in that region.

I'm in South Florida. I'll decide by Thurs evening if I'm going to evacuate. Fingers crossed it doesn't turn north.

Yup ... the quiet before the storm, Agartha. We have the only remaining tropical rainforest in the United States, El Yunque. The island has tremendous cavernous formations all over ... I'm sure the birds & lizards know where to go.

The houses here are made of cinder block and poured concrete, so they're not going anywhere unless there's a landslide. But we're not up in the mountain region (red clay soil) ... We're in a suburban area at a good altitude from waterways. We have hurricane proof windows with security bars attached to the concrete outside, which would block any projectiles. They are very secure. Once the windows and doors are shut, it's like being in a bunker. We're safe, Jerry, no worries. The school across the street is a shelter if we need it.

I got all my adeniums and plumerias inside. Our rear family room looks like a flower shop! I just remembered a pot of orchids ... I'll get it tomorrow. I just have to take my cactus and succulents in off the front porch and everything is done. I hate the fact that I may lose my Schefflera, ball or fire, begonias, aloes, and amaryllis. They're outside in very large, heavy pots. I hope they make it but if they don't ... Oh, well.

Stay safe, everyone. I will try to touch base tomorrow before noon. Electricity and water are expected to be shut off as the storm approaches. God bless!!

Maria Elena

Will be worried about you Maria Elena. All the best and hope it will pass with minimal damage.

I'm in the path as well, but I'm far enough inland that we should be all right. Get a lot of rain and wind, but the house is up on a ridge so not a flooding concern. Still, for those of you who are far more directly in Irma's path, please be careful and evacuate if you can!

I hope everyone can stay safe.

Rick

María Elena; espero que estés bien, y a salvo, estás en mis oraciones, con cariño... esperamos noticias tuyas <3

I hope they all, ok. I can't sleep thinking about what has happened to those places. God help those people.

I hope we hear from Maria Elena soon. Know their hydro was shut off prior. News showed that PR no hit too badly, but what do you believe and just how not bad is not bad.

I have friends in Florida and they are evacuating and sound very worried, this concerns me and family in Nassau. Sure hope they can be safe.

Rick

I used to live in Miami Beach. My friends in the Miami area who live east of US 1 but are not evacuating are idiots!

Yes, certainly hope everyone we know, and others we don't, are safe...but we know that won't be true for lots of people in its deadly path. Fingers crossed still. Us Brits are reknowned for moaning about our weather, but this is on such a very different level, I don't think I'll ever moan again. Thinking of you all and hope to hear from you.

Gill

The evacuation is in progress. Gas stations all along the interstates around here are already out of gas. Long lines at those that still have some. But there is still gas to be found for those who will go into the small towns. I am glad to see people taking this seriously and getting out early, rather than trying at the last minute.

I'm baaaaack!!! Irma just kissed us at the level of a Cat 1 and went her merry way. We spent the entire storm outside. Electricity is back up just this evening; water to follow. Our system is subterranean ... We are not in the stone ages ... There will be no 3 month wait for restoration of services, like some sensationalists are reporting. This is Puerto Rico, baby ... a blessed land!! Grateful to my blessed Lord.

Thank you for all so, so much for your prayers and well wishes. Let's continue that for all those in Irma's current path. I have family in southwest Florida who had to evacuate. No connection with them as of this afternoon. Looks really bad for the Bahamas ... What a monster this storm is. I don't know how we got through this unscathed.

Heartfelt hugs to all. Praying.

Maria Elena

Glad to see you are fine and unscathed. Still not a nice thing to have to brace yourself for.

I sure hope those in Florida and Bahamas will be able to stay safe.

My family is on Nassau and Freeport. I hope they can keep safe.

Rick

Im glad u made it through fine Maria and i hope the people in its path to come will make it out fine.we dont get them were i live so i can only imagine it would be bad anyway good to see things are fine:×)

Maria Elena, so glad to hear that you made it through without any major problems. We are now waiting to see how Irma treats us here in Florida. Really tired from all the preparation and praying she only kisses us too. - J

Maria Elena - Yeeeehhaaa you are safe, that all it matters.

Thanks God!

Hugs and kisses :-)

Glad everyone is safe we know how dangerous this storms are as we live in the north queensland near the great barrier reef and often we have these storms very scary

So glad you're safe. I have one brother in Key Largo and another in Stewart, Florida. I've emailed them, but haven't heard back. I'm sure they've been busy getting ready, and, hopefully, getting out of Dodge.

Yes, many in Florida have made the smart move and taken refuge away from their homes, following the governor's announcement that "You will not survive this storm surge." Helluvaway to get people to listen, but it was effective!

JSTROPIC, did you take refuge? My brother and his family evacuated ... But they are very stressed over the potential devastation of losing a beautiful property they just purchased, and my brother over the safety and welfare of his family. Today is his birthday ... A hell of a thing to be thinking about when he should be blowing out candles. I pray this monster gets tired of us and moves out to sea!! I pray that our families remain safe and for a swift return to normalcy.

In the meantime, hurricane Jose is looming in the distance as a category 4, tagging along behind Irma like a damned cloned cone. Ugh!

Report on the Bahamas says "All clear" for the southeast as of 11 pm last night: http://www.tribune242.com/news/2017/sep/08/take-no-chances/ -Anyone have more recent news?

Hi Maria been worried about you glad everything ok

roger

Thanks so much, Roger. Just keeping an eye on hurricane Jose, which is farther away and is expected to come through as a small storm tomorrow. I'm sure Irma wrecked havoc on at least the entire northern portion of Cuba, but we may never know with certainty what occurs there. Things can always be worse ... Just look at the 8.1 magnitude earthquake suffered last night in Veracruz Mexico. Now for the monster Irma looming over Florida!

That's Chiapas, on the other coast, for the earthquake.

Not Veracruz, Ariel?

Maria, I am so glad you and your family are ok!

No. Katia was close to Veracruz, but the earthquake was off Chiapas. Possibly felt in Veracruz; it was in Mexico City. A few people here (Vallarta) say they felt it but I think they're lying.

Maria Elena, you are such a caring soul and I am so glad you are ok. I wish your family in Florida the best as well. I think we are reminded in times like these that family and friends are precious and it's important to support each other especially in times of crisis. For those of you still in Irma's path, I hope you all stay safe and that your family members are kept safe as well. Family is the only thing that really matters.

Mother nature can be a formidable beast sometimes and many of you still have Hurricane Jose to worry about. For all of you that may be affected, know that there are others on the other side of the world (Australia) sending our best wishes for you in your time of crisis.... Rachel. :)

Unfortunately, my father is in Miami and has refused to evacuate. Please continue to pray for those who are still in Irma's path.

Oh, Manda! Praying your dad will be fine. Rachel, thank you so much. Everyone has been so loving and supportive. Group hug as we agree in one mindset ... Irma is gone ... out ... no more damage!

Glad to hear you are fine, Marie. I have friends in Dade City and the Keys who refused to evacuate so we'll see if they will be all right, or if they'll get the Darwin Award. I'm a little miffed at my friend in the Keys who should know better but, it's her choice.

Irma diminished to Cat 2, then Cat 1 and finally to Tropical Storm as it approached Tampa. I am so thrilled. Hope to hear very good reports from everyone in the coming days.

Naples is a mess. I've seen pictures but don't know about anywhere else on the Gulf coast.

Miami-Dade schools are closed through Tuesday & most other entities piggyback on the school closures. From folks in Miami Beach & Coconut Grove, it looks like *there* they had mostly trees downed & loss of electricity, but no major structural damage. (Everyone I know who lost trees lost them to the street & not the house, thankfully.) One friend's big-ass Buddha statues from the yard have disappeared.

My father is ok in Miami. Hyn, I hope your friends are all ok too.

Good to hear from you, Crenda. So happy everyone is OK and that property damage was zero to minimal.

Hyn Patty, have you heard from your friends in the Keys? A Cat 4 hitting the Keys...not good. A Cat 3 when she hit Naples and Marco Island, that was a helluva storm.

Talked to a friend who actually rode it out in Key West yesterday. He said (no surprise) that there is no power and no potable water. You need to have a generator, and of course fuel is an issue. They do turn the water on twice a day for 2 hours - for showers and cleaning - but you cannot drink it. (not sure I'd want to shower in it, but they must think it is OK because they are telling folks when it will be turned on so they can use it) As expected, lots of debris to clean up and lots of repairs to be made.

I know that doesn't help with anyone's specific friends, but it's a snapshot. We were surprised to find he had cell service.

I can't imagine how difficult it must be down there. I went down to Marathon the day after Wilma because my father was living down there, and the storm surges had wiped out the contents of homes and all the furnishings were stacked out on US One. And everything that was once green turned immediately brown because of the saltwater. And Wilma was nothing compared to Irma for the Keys. I haven't really caught up with the news since the power came back on with the conditions down there. God bless your friends. It must be quite depressing.

Well Maria, I hope you are ready for Maria! I can't believe you're about to see a second one. I will be thinking of all of you.

Looks like hurricane Maria is now a category 5. I can't believe this is happening again. Everyone that is in her path please be safe. Maria Elena, I pray you and your family stay safe.

Hurricane Maria Tropical Cyclone Update
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL152017
935 PM AST Mon Sep 18 2017
...MARIA MAKES LANDFALL ON DOMINICA AS A CATEGORY 5 HURRICANE...
Radar data from Martinique and Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter
aircraft reports indicate that Maria made landfall on Dominica
around 915 PM AST (0115 UTC) with estimated winds of 160 MPH
(260 KM/H).
The next update will be the 1100 PM AST (0300 UTC) complete advisory
package.
SUMMARY OF 935 PM AST...0135 UTC...INFORMATION
---------------------------------------------------
LOCATION...15.3N 61.3W
ABOUT 0 MI...0 KM SE OF DOMINICA
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...160 MPH...260 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...WNW OR 295 DEGREES AT 9 MPH...15 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...924 MB...27.29 INCHES

Amen! Yup, The National Hurricane Center had the audacity of naming a hurricane after me. LOL! It's headed right for us dead center. Hoping for the best. there are still some towns here in the northeast with no water / no electricity following IRMA.

Starting a new post for this one, scheduled to arrive in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands tomorrow night. Please follow us there.