| Author | Message | ||
| CoryDane RTSII (66.155.188.236) Rating: N/A |
Dear fellow conversionsists, I was just watching the weather channel and listen, FRANCIS is a bad one. This storm is twice the size of CHARLIE, is being likened to ANDREW and is said to be of the same force. For those of you that want to stay and have a "hurricane party", I wish to ask you to please, rethink your plans and Get the HECK OUT OF DODGE NOW, while you can. There are already reports of the gas stations out of fuel as people evacuate. There are no reports from the Bahammas but they are expecting really bad news. One source is not expecting to find much left standing after Francis passes. Projected images show Francis to hit and follow (MAYBE) the East coast of Florida. Take this hint, ORLANDO is boarding up! Another scenario shows it going in state and then following a Northerly track. I hope you have a night over stay planned at a Wallmart or some other location way WEST/NorthWest from what is about to hit. GOOD LUCK FOLKS, do what you have todo to stay safe. All my Prayers cd | ||
| Niles (24.227.105.115) Rating: N/A |
Current track puts the center w/in 20 miles of my home - but i'm on the west coast -Niles | ||
| madbrit (67.136.111.63) Rating: N/A |
I have friends in Winter Haven is Francis going to get close to them? Is there a website with a hurricane watch? Peter. | ||
| Stephen Fessenden (Sffess) (65.130.17.137)
Rating: N/A |
Try http://www.wunderground.com/tropical/ Yes it is forcast to go right over Winter Haven and Lakeland as a weakened hurricane, about 105 MPH. The Water termperature map shows that if Frances comes in at Miami or Ft Lauderdale, it will have come over warmer water and could intensify further like Charlie did. West Palm Beach and North will be a little better. If you are down in Miami or Ft Lauderdale, get out now. This could be bigger than Andrew if it passes over that warmer water. Find a safe place in central Florida or Georgia. Don't plan on staying on the West Coast. There will be damage in Central Florida, but it will be survivable. | ||
| RJ Long (Rjlong) (67.181.236.27)
Rating: N/A |
Peter - Try this: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ HTH, RJ PD4106-2784 Fresno CA | ||
| madbrit (67.136.111.63) Rating: N/A |
Thanks for the info guys. Peter. | ||
| Ace (24.28.44.58) Rating: N/A |
We went about 70 miles north when Charlie was here. Looks like we will ride this one out by staying home. We boarded up some of our big windows on storm side and still have a few small ones left to do but it got dark on me tonight. Hopefully the weather will hold off long enough until I get it done! If our H3 was finished enough to be gone I would have already been gone but as luck would have it, it isn't so we'll be close to it anyway. Susan and I want to send prayers to all other busnuts and friends and families in and around the the path of Francis and wish for a safe journey! Wish us Luck! I got a gut feeling we will need it, and that means I don't feel real good about this storm! Oh and one more thing... If anything bad DOES happen that we all wish never happens but could, I just want to say to all the bussin guys that I have met, chatted with, typed with, ate with, laughed with, worked with, and even argued with, I enjoy each and every one of you, even FF and I hold no grudges or ill feelings with anyone. Life is too short and it must go on with me or without me, so whatever you do, work on that conversion that you started, enjoy it to the fullest, finished or not and IF this doesn't come out good in the end, remember I was one of you at one time. Crazy as we all are, we are one big family! Take care and good luck to everyone and God bless!! Ace & $usan Lakeland, Florida H3 Prevost | ||
| Robert Wood (Bobwoodsocal) (4.46.108.207)
Rating: N/A |
WOW, that was really well said Ace, you and all in the path of Frances will be in my prayers. I hope to meet you some day at one of Jack's rallies. All the best friends, Bob | ||
| Stephen Fessenden (Sffess) (65.130.18.49)
Rating: N/A |
Ace, your bus is probably safer than your house if this one approaches Lakeland as a monster. How many homes have riveted on roofs. And buses weigh a lot more than a travel trailer or a motor home. How do you know which side will be the storm side? We have to look at the wide green cone, not the center line. If the eye is north of us, winds will be from the northwest and west. If it is south of us, winds will be from the east and southeast. And of course, north then south if the eye passes directly over us. I was looking at the stike probabilities on Weather Underground. It looks like the people doing the strike probabilities expect the storm to be earlier than the ones doing the map. Earlier by about 12 hours. Passing inland between 2AM and 2PM Saturday. | ||
| John that newguy (206.15.138.66) Rating: N/A |
With a 140 mph wind coming from unpredictable locations, do you really want to suggest chancing a stay in a bus? That amount of wind takes down cement block buildings. It knocks over tractor trailers. How many heavy metal items would you like to count coming through the bus windshield and windows, while they huddle under a chair? There isn't anything worth saving if it's going to cost you your loved one's life.... or your own. If they haven't left the area yet, they have our sincere blessings and hopes. The only advice I would have given, would have been to leave when we did; a day earlier than everyone else. Just get out of harm's way. You don't fool with Mother Nature; there's no shame to running for your life. | ||
| Sojourner (68.60.169.142)
Rating: N/A |
Hope storm die down somewhat however, like “John that new guy” said, I would try get away if it drivable. Or if building can stand the wind force and even the roof blew is better then in the open. Pieces flying thru the air are scary. Like a man in an upper hotel room in Punta Gorda was killed due to flying plate glass from window, cut and bleeds to death. We need to keep remind of our self, whenever need help after damaging storm pass, paramedics or any help might be or is limited. Whatever you do I am sure both you decide what best due to whatever choice have. I am sure Jack Conrad can tell many horrors of stories. He a paramedic driver and technician. My prayers go to all of ones in hurricane’s pass and Charlie victim. Sojourn for Christ, Jerry | ||
| madbrit (67.136.111.63) Rating: N/A |
Good luck Ace & $usan, and all the other Busnuts in Florida. Keep safe, we will be thinking of you. Peter & Yvonne. | ||
| FAST FRED (4.245.221.220) Rating: N/A |
As everyone else were watching the storm & hopeing the track changes a bit. For those who haven't yet visited us to watch the Aligators cavort , were about 15 miles South of Lake "O". Watching TV just look where the 7 would be if Lake "O" were a clock face, that's winter home. The furthur North of the lake the storm goes , the less chance of loosing the roof , as the counterclock wise rotation "should" flow less swiftly from the North . Even with a clean miss , insurance that now costs more than the prop taxes will be sure to rise. IF the place goes we haven't decided to rebuild , or just winter aboard from now on. Ain't in My hands, but I have my fingers ,toes and eyes crossed for a clean Miss! FAST FRED | ||
| Stephen Fessenden (Sffess) (65.130.18.156)
Rating: N/A |
Advice that bus could be safe in hurricane was based on limited side windows. On my bus I would wait it out in the bathroom, which has no windows. Windshield is safer than most home glass. Actually I will be staying in the house, which was built to above code. I would rather be on a converted bus, away from the windows, than in a building with the roof blown off. A bus is a very strong structure. I don't ever recall seeing a bus turned over by the wind, though I'm sure it could happen. Yes the best solution is to run, but we still have property to look after and we are in an area that people evacuate to. | ||
| Cliff Current (Floridasaltine) (65.33.17.35)
Rating: N/A |
Well, were boarded up and ready to deal with this mess. Even though I wish I had my bus and could get started on the conversion, I am happy to have my little class c as my emergency residence if and when we lose power. I am up near Wildwood and we should see some pretty significant winds. The highways here are wall to wall. Best wishes and good luck to all my Florida bus nut friends. Cliff | ||
| Johnny (4.174.106.51) Rating: N/A |
I'm with Stephen here--I've seen windshields take multiple softball-size rocks at 100+MPH speeds without anything coming through (though the driver probably needed new underwear). Short of some kind of armor-glass or Lexan, I haven't heard of anything stronger. | ||
| Craig Smith (Craigs) (67.35.116.171)
Rating: N/A |
Hi All, We are all boarded up and ready. We live in the West Palm Bch area. The MC8 is full of water and fuel and is ready to be our temporary home. Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers.  Craig S | ||
| mikekerley (207.230.142.240)
Rating: N/A |
Our bus in tucked in at River Ranch, ready to move back to Vero after this mess passes. Would rather run away but work demands I stay close. Pray this sucker (Francis) looses some punch before coming ashore. FYI, there is another one coming this way. | ||
| Bruce Henderson (Oonrahnjay) (208.34.240.40)
Rating: N/A |
__. I hope that Fla. won't see a repeat of the huge mess that we had here in eastern NC about 5 years ago. First, we had H. Bonnie with a good bit of rain, then about two weeks later, H. Dennis hung around for about four days -- again, not a lot of wind but lots of rain. After this, all the rivers and streams were full and the ground was fully soaked. Then about 5 days after Dennis drifted away, Floyd hit. __. With the ground so wet, it was easy for Floyd to blow trees down (trees that would normally live through hurricane winds) -- that blocked roads and did a lot of damage to power lines and phones*. But the big thing was the rain -- they were calling it the highest water on record; probably the highest water for 500 years. Five people drowned within 20 miles of me (mostly people trying to drive through flooded roads). The North East Cape Fear river (about five miles from me) was over four miles wide. THOUSANDS of people within 10 miles of me homeless -- and it was worse in the "flatlands" in the central coastlands of NC where it's flatter and wetter. Kinda like Florida. __. Those of us here in NC know what it's like FL and we're pulling for you. Bruce Henderson, Wallace NC (* Power was off at my house for 9 days but the phone was on the whole time. Houses within five blocks of mine were back on in 5-6 days. Then, an hour after the power came back on, the phone went out for 2 days -- you just never know.) | ||
| Adame (129.82.53.107) Rating: N/A |
Never been near a hurricane but I helped clean up a mess in Cheyenne after a tornado. One thing that stands out in my mind was the sight of a heavy, high voltage transformer from a power pole which had been blown through a brick wall. If the winds are of similar force, I don't think anywhere inside a bus would be very safe. Best place to be is gone. At least with a hurricane a person has some warning. Those tornados sneak up on you. If you choose to stay and ride it out, I wish you well. | ||
| Stephen Fessenden (Sffess) (65.134.4.188)
Rating: N/A |
Tornado is much stronger, but hurricanes often have imbeded tornados. | ||
| James Maxwell (Jmaxwell) (66.81.32.39)
Rating: N/A |
I'll take the occassional Earthquake any day. At least we don't have all this bedlam and turmoil in anticipation of who, what, where, and when. It hits with no appreciable notice, does it's damage, and leaves in a matter of seconds, couple of minutes at the most. | ||
| madbrit (67.136.111.63) Rating: N/A |
In case anyone is interested, I was sent this updating view of the storm.......... http://storm1.herald.com/auto/miamiherald/global/Region/g4/2xpxIRSatellite.html Hope everyone keeps safe down there, but if it was me, I would be long gone, with my valuables and clutching my insurance policy. I have a buddy in Winter Haven and he has no home insurance whatsoever, what sort of idiot is he!!!! No need to answer, I do know as it happens. Peter. | ||
| James Maxwell (Jmaxwell) (66.81.36.60)
Rating: N/A |
Peter, The possibility that he can't afford the insurance does exist, when weighted against other things that he absolutely must have. There is a better than even chance that his worst damage would come from flooding, and as I understand it, most of the policies down there don't cover that part of the hurrricane damage. | ||
| Robert Wood (Bobwoodsocal) (4.46.108.207)
Rating: N/A |
Great site, Peter. Frances sure is a big storm, can't tear myself away from the news. We had one come thru when I lived in Louisiana, never forget it. all the best friends, Bob | ||
| madbrit (67.136.111.220) Rating: N/A |
James, I can assure you he can afford the insurance, he is just one of those guys who is lucky 2 times out of 3 and this maybe his 3 and he will loose it all. Then it will be everyone's fault apart from his own. I could fill a book with the "The world is against me" stories he tells and the stupid things he does from time to time. Real nice guy, but sometimes he drives me insane......... LOL. Peter. | ||
| CoryDane RTSII (66.155.188.147) Rating: N/A |
HI all Hope all is welll I see that big bag of wind is sitting on the edge of Florida now. Some feel relaxed that it has come down to a cat2 windbag, but now that it is stationary, it is worse. Think of it like, haveing a coarse grit sandpaper and you give 2 swipes, some marks but just surface. that would be cat4 Now take a finer grade of sandpaper and keep rubbing it all day, it will wear in the wood. That would be a stationary cat2. And that isn't even considering the water flooding pridicted. I've been watching the tv since it approached Florida. One side note, the Bahammas seems to have had little damage. They said they are used to it so they build for it, THEY LIVE IN BUNKERS!!!!! No so for Stateside homes. Best of luck guys, stay safe. cd | ||
| Stephen Fessenden (Sffess) (65.130.18.122)
Rating: N/A |
Insurance costs about the same as taxes on a home here in Florida. Flood insurance is a separate policy, also available. Don't count on your realtor to tell you you need flood insurance. That could interfere with a sale. If the mortgage company does not require flood insurance, it does not mean you are ok without it. Besides flood zone maps, always check with oldtimers when buying Florida land. On one Beautiful small waterfront home I once looked at in Ft. Pierce the lot was part of a temporary shallow inlet between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intercoastal waterway during the 1943 hurricane. Only an oldtimer could tell you that. They don't keep proud records of that sort of thing. Generally if you are in an area that is usually safe from floods, flood insurance is inexpensive. Coastal properties are protected against wind driven water by their homeowners policies but inland property like in Winter Haven usually have rising water damage, not wind driven water damage and need flood insurance to be covered at all for any water damage. REMEMBER, WHEN YOU BUY PROPERY, ASK OLDTIMERS ABOUT THE PROPERTY YOU ARE THINKING OF BUYING. THE YOUNG REALTOR MAY NOT EVEN KNOW OF CONDITIONS THAT OCCUR ONCE EVERY FIFTY YEARS. | ||
| FAST FRED (4.245.212.54) Rating: N/A |
Have no idea (yet) if our place south of the Lake made it but many of the residents never bother with insurance. Its one thing if the Bank owns it , and demands it. But the locals are mostly farmers or ex farmers and realize that if they DO NOT carry insurance the politicos always declare a "disaster" and with OUT insurance you get a grant check from Uncle faster and with fewer strings than from an insurance co , you have been paying for decades. Fingers crossed that the roof is on, FAST FRED | ||
| madbrit (67.136.111.220) Rating: N/A |
Okay, Now I get it, so what you are saying is they don't bother having insurance as the rest of the Country's tax payers will foot the repair bills and even build them a nice new home. Sounds real fair to me!!!! In that case, those who do pay insurance, their rates would be high because of the claim level and lack of other client's premiums in the State to offset claims. Peter. | ||
| James Maxwell (Jmaxwell) (66.81.42.143)
Rating: N/A |
Peter: I suppose you summed up what FF said pretty good. With budget deficits in the 1/2 trillion a yr. area, nobody ever said that we practice sound economic policy in the good ole' USA. And, if I were the guy in WinterHaven or whereever, if the gov. can just write a check for everything else why the hell not my house? I lived at the epicenter of the 1971 San Fernando earthquake in CA and worked for the gov. at the time. and to this day I still can't believe how the fed. money flowed: I can't even imagine what it is like 34 yrs. later if it has gone unchecked in all that time. Not to minimize the impact on Florida, but if it ain't a disaster, let the Feds get involved and it damn well soon will be. | ||
| Tom Connolly (Tomconnolly) (64.58.196.218)
Rating: N/A |
There is also a more serious insurance issue! Lots of us would like to have insurance but can’t purchase it! Insurance companies have chosen to insure only those properties in Florida that don’t provide them a risk! Most have simply pulled out of Florida. I have had a Allstate Floridian Homeowners / Country Home policy on my home for more than 2 decades and never had a claim, 6 months ago I received notice that Allstate was discontinuing the country home product and that they could not provide me any other coverage for the following reasons, (and they told me that any one of these reason would cause me to be ineligible.) location (properties in Pasco County east of US 19 are not federally reinsured, west side “the gulf side” however is), too much property (35 acres is too large, they will only consider under 5 acres), livestock, (I have 3 pet cows and 2 Tennessee Walking Horses), sink holes have occurred within 2 miles, my pool is detached from the house, my house over 35 years old, I have a real fireplace, covered open porch, The 3 dogs we adopted 10 years ago from the SPCA are on the vicious dog list and you can’t have a trampoline. Before hurricane Andrew hit Florida I was in “Good Hands” with Allstate however since they have recently dropped us, our relationship is down to one finger! As much as I blame Allstate for treating me badly especially being that they hold my personal auto, bus, commercial auto, and life policies. I have been given the same one finger treatment by every other company that I have contacted as well! Including the State Insurance Fund that is suppose to provide coverage to those unable to find coverage in the retail market! The moral of the story is that you may be willing to pay and still be uninsured! And to add further insult, in violation of your mortgage risking foreclosure on a lifetime of work! All because insurance companies are allowed to choose who and where they will provide coverage with little or no risk. Tom C | ||
| FAST FRED (4.245.230.235) Rating: N/A |
Actually the insurers they chose to cover in FL are at NO big risk. After Andrew where the ins co would finaly have to pay major hurricane damages , they basically told FL that IF they had to pay , they would completly refuse to insure ANYTHING in FL. The State panicked and wrote laws so the ins co's they would never suffer many losses. The State created a "pool" of monies (colected by the ins co & submitted to the pool ), that paid back the ins co's almost all of the Andrew costs , and was "ahead" about 5 BILLION before Charles. For sure taxes and insurance will rise every year, but most FL foks put up with it because they think the property is worth even more than the tax man does. FAST FRED | ||
| John that newguy (209.206.17.59) Rating: N/A |
Ya'know, Fred.... They would have to get raped by their favorite insurance company before they understand what you're saying. I hate the companies; every one of 'em. They're out to make money and they'll do it off the backs that are broken and waiting for relief.... and they'll do it without remorse or shame. BAH. I hate 'em. | ||
| madbrit (67.136.104.207) Rating: N/A |
John, Funnily enough they are in business and to make a profit they are not a charity. They charge premiums and hope to take more in than they pay out. They also invest too. They sell shares and have a business responsibility to their shareholders which could well be connected to your retirement fund. So now do you want them to fail in their business and watch your own retirement diminish? You do get what you pay for. Cheap premiums normally mean a fight when you want to claim. I buy the best I can afford and claim when I need to and they have never let me down. Now the third party's company has tried to rip me off in a car accident, but mine came through and paid their share immediately I claimed against them. Bad insurance is not worth a thing, believe me. Peter. | ||
| Stephen Fessenden (Sffess) (65.130.10.90)
Rating: N/A |
Unfortunately bad insurance comes under some great names. It is not a matter of finding a brand name company and paying a high premium. You still may not get the proper claims adjustment. You have to look for a company with some ethics and a history of fair treatment. They make a contract and it is up to the company to honor it. Did you know that insurance companies bonus emplyees for denying claims. I know they do that with medical and dental claims. Notice I am careful not to mention any names. Ethics is the missing ingrediant in a lot of policies. | ||
| John that newguy (209.206.17.59) Rating: N/A |
Peter, with all respect... Insurance companies cry like hell and tell you they're losing money when a disaster strikes.. They don't tell you about all the money they're making in all the states that rarely have any claims. The amount of money they take in far, far exceeds the amount they ever have to pay out in any one area, for any amount of claims. My former neighbor paid serious premiums to a top-notch company for years, and had to sit and watch the company fight a claim against him when they should have paid instantly. The claimant had to file suit against him and they almost went to court, before the company finally paid. My neighbor had to take the heat of all the bad publicity regarding the case, since it sounded like he didn't want to take responsibility for his actions. And -that- Peter, was a "good" company charging high premiums for the same contract all other companies provide. Again...... BAH. | ||
| Tom Caffrey (Pvcces) (65.74.66.104)
Rating: N/A |
Peter, I know people say that you get what you pay for. For many years, I've thought that people were saying this wrong. I think that people hope they get what they pay for. When they don't get what they hoped for, they get very angry. I think that a better approach would be to think about the chance of getting what they want in exchange for a payment that means their money is gone for certain. Maybe most people do this unconciously. You are gambling that you will have the clout to enforce the promise of coverage. I think that insurance for casualties automatically puts the insured at a disadvantage because the insured is going to be stressed from the casualty and, in many cases, any hope that he had of enforcing a collection in full is out the window. With liability insurance, I tend to think of it as buying a defense. In that case, your needs coincide with the insurer's, so it actually has a chance of doing you some good. For what it's worth. Tom Caffrey PD4106-2576 Suncatcher | ||
| madbrit (67.136.104.207) Rating: N/A |
John, with respect....... You are perfectly entitled to your opinion, as I am to mine. I just get a little annoyed when people blanket all insurance as the bad guys, as I said, they have been fair to me. Insurance is a necessary evil, no one likes to pay it but it is nice when you need it. I can see how frustrating it can be when they refuse to pay out, but so far I have not had that happen with the companies I have been using. I agree that sometimes the good can be bad, but so far I have been treated very fairly and I have had a few claims over the years, both here and in England. Some were quite major, including a house that subsided due to tree roots. That cost the insurance company thousands as they had to pay for all the cosmetic work as well as the new foundation. The problem I had there was with my own surveyor who was in league with the builder and was trying to shaft me. I sent the pair packing and dealt with the adjuster myself, getting the job done quicker and subcontracting the labor myself. The adjuster was very fair to work with and apart from one small disagreement, which was negotiated around, it all went very well. I prefer to deal with the adjuster myself when I can and have found that if one presents a good case, then they will soon settle. The one I had most problems with was the third party's adjuster, he was rude and persistantly awkward. It was a car accident and I had been advised to get a lawyer, well he went away real quick, he was useless. The adjuster told the attorney if we didn't settle with him, the next guy would offer less. That amused me, I fired the attorney, and I told the adjuster to bring it on, we settled within 3 hours of the filing deadline and that was with the "next guy". It took 2 years for the third party to settle but my insurance company paid the under insured amount in full, within 4 weeks of my claim. Another problem area is when people don't come clean when they insure their possessions. Then wonder why the company won't pay out on Grandma's Picasso that the dog chewed up....... LOL. Peter. | ||
| CoryDane RTSII (66.155.188.227) Rating: N/A |
Hi there FF Glad to see you are ok. How did you make out with Frances? Did you get to "dance" with her a couple steps? Good to see you here. cd | ||
| FAST FRED (4.245.191.162) Rating: N/A |
Very happily a call to the ,across the canal neighbor , who has a great view of our place , reports the shingles on the roof are intact and the new trees are still up. We lucked out being in the southern (weaker) quadrant as Frances went over lake O. So our 'O Nite parking (for those that wish to see the live alligators sleep or cavort) spot is still avilable , with a 15A hookup. Unfortunatly I was planning on having a metal roof installed this winter , but alas it looks like I will be the tin knocker.Another new trade to learn. With 40,000 houses with damage in the state, the roofguys will be charging a huge premium. But we did Luck out!!! FAST FRED | ||
| BrianMCI96A3 (64.12.116.135) Rating: N/A |
About 20 years ago, a couple of wind storms took a bunch of roof shingles off my house. When I called I told the adjuster that the first storm only took two or three shingles... I wasn't going to file a claim, but the second storm took a bunch of them. I got a call back later telling me because of the previous storm damage, I was required to file TWO claims (two claims, two deductibles)! Then, they called and told me they were only replacing about half of my roof. Then, after being broken into 6 months later and filing a claim for that, I was called by the insurance company and told that because I had filed three claims in the last 12 months my deductible was being raised from $250 to $1000. Shortly after that, another windstorm took half of the old remaining roof tiles off, and of course it cost right around $1000 to replace the rest of the tiles. Fortunately, I found someone who was able to MATCH the shingle color! Insurance companies are both good and bad, but really I have seen, heard, and been a part of too many insurance horror stories to think of them as the good guys. A friend of mine has a brother who owns an autobody repair shop, he's in league with an insurance adjuster. The scam is, the adjuster totals a vehicle, the autobody shop buys it at auction, repairs it for far less than was claimed and the adjuster gets a cut of the profit when they sell it. And I can't believe this is an isolated incident. Brian |