[projectmaximus]

We are hearing about a half dozen or so deaths so far. Could be much worse if so many people hadn't evacuated the region or, at least, bunkered down in more safe and secure areas. Been watching the news almost continuously and Jax streets, thankfully, have been basically deserted for the past 24 hours.

[tar21]

Originally Posted by metalmancpa

The O.P. shows the idiocy of many, not erring on the side of caution. Daytona Beach and north is getting hammered. I have family there. A favorite restaurant of theirs got destroyed. And the storm surge is going to be bad in GA to SC also. Matthew stayed a little more offshore in south FL than forecasted, and those people are thankful. I guess people don't like to be bothered by mother nature.

I watched live footage in jacksonville and it's not that bad I don't know how you define "destroyed" but the building is still standing.

[Travelassie]

Originally Posted by sinatras

I am a born and raised Floridian and been through countless storms, including Cat 5 Andrew, and I have to say this is the WORST FORECASTING and MEDIA HYPE-FEST of a storm I've ever seen. They couldn't get the cone/storm track right for days and days, and only got it right a few hours before the thing was 50 miles east of the Keys.

The governor said people would die and that the entire state had to prepare for a direct hit from this "killer" storm that was coming as a Cat 4 or 5 storm into Florida.

In fact, the storm never even made landfall in Florida and the damage so far has been minimal. And when I say minimal, I am saying it is in no way damage consistent with a Cat 4 or even Cat 3 storm. And the media was complicit in inciting panic over this storm.

I know "killer" storms. The only places this storm has done "killer" type damage is in the Caribbean.

At least the retailers got some stimulus.

With all that expertise, I guess you figure YOU would have done a better job than the experts at the National Hurricane Center?

[LKJ1988]

Originally Posted by Travelassie

With all that expertise, I guess you figure YOU would have done a better job than the experts at the National Hurricane Center?

He knows better just like i do. Always a dud.

[chopchop0]

Originally Posted by metalmancpa

No offense, but a totally idiotic stupid naive post with regards to risk assessment of this incredibly dangerous storm.

Not only Cat 4, but storm surge is the killer here. Smart move by the governor.

Correct, all these idiots don't realize how bad it could have been with just a little more wobble westward

[OrlFlaUsa]

A storm this powerful being so close was not under any circumstance an example of crying wolf the way they do normally over every little Cat 1 that comes anywhere near Florida.

A monster Cat 4 literally brushed along a very populated coast the whole way and could have easily been steered ever so slightly to make landfall.

I live inland in suburban Orlando and had it went in at Merritt Island like expected, the eye would have passed less than 40 miles from my front door.

In 2004 I learned that forecasters are usually wrong since Charlie ended up surprising is in Orlando with a direct hit. So am I mad that they were sorta wrong this time, no, because with a storm that big, that close margin of error either way is everything.

[jamary1]

I think next time the OP should just ignore the warnings since he knows so much better than the national hurricane center. Sometimes the gene pool just needs a little more chlorine, if you get my drift.....

[jbgusa]

Originally Posted by jamary1

I think next time the OP should just ignore the warnings since he knows so much better than the national hurricane center. Sometimes the gene pool just needs a little more chlorine, if you get my drift.....

The problem that the governor has is having to send responders into harm's way to rescue the foolish.

[SanyBelle]

No I am not mad at the govoner or the weather forcasteres.

[tar21]

Originally Posted by Travelassie

With all that expertise, I guess you figure YOU would have done a better job than the experts at the National Hurricane Center?

That's right.