Fires in Florida
By claudia413
@claudia413 (4280)
United States
May 11, 2007 11:14am CST
Just heard on my local news that there are now 236 fires all over Florida, mainly because of lack of rain. I-10 in North Florida might have to be closed on a 40-mile stretch near Lake City. There have already been 87,162 acres charred. Firefighters from all over Florida are headed to North and Central Florida to help fight the fires. We need rain and need it now. I was hoping that the Sub-tropical Storm Andrea might bright some relief, but it fizzled out before it did much good. Here in Southeast Florida, we are getting smoke from the fires over in Southwest Florida. Several of our SE Florida counties are now going to Phase III in water management, and we will only be able to water our yards once a week...we had been able to water twice a week.
Is anyone else experiencing fires like this, floods from too much rain, or anything like the tornadoes that hit in Kansas?
5 people like this
6 responses
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
11 May 07
I live on the West coast of Florida, mid state, and the smoke was so bad this morning it was like driving in fog. Even the schools called to say they were taking extra precautions with moving those in portables inside and such. It is very bad. It makes it very hard to breath as well. Add to it there is a nasty head cold going on so those with congestion really have it bad with this. We had to close up the house and turn on the a/c. I just hope we get some major rain and soon. Not sure what we'll do if we don't. Last night it looked like it was going to, had a few rumbles of thunder and then nothing :( Just teasing us.
@claudia413 (4280)
• United States
12 May 07
I hate the teasing also...a few drops on the windshield, then nothing...a few dark clouds in the sky, then nothing. We need the rain...NOW. I sure hope you feel better soon.
1 person likes this
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
12 May 07
Thanks, it comes and goes with the health. Last night it got really smoky here again, it had cleared for a bit during the afternoon. I had to do a breathing treatment this morning and that really made a difference.
Today again it's teasing us. It looks like rain, feels like it, but nothing :( I hope it does because I planted some flowers and if it doesn't rain then I have to water them.
@cynddvs (2948)
• United States
11 May 07
Oh wow I haven't heard anything about this. I rarely watch the news so I hear everything from my mom. My mom lives in Jupiter, FL so I'll have to call her tonight to see how this is effecting her. She has already been aggravated over the water management.
2 people like this
@claudia413 (4280)
• United States
11 May 07
Yeah, the water management is bad, but we have no choice if we want to have our drinking water. Your mom lives in the county north of me, and they are also going to have to go to one day a week, like us.
1 person likes this
@claudia413 (4280)
• United States
12 May 07
Today, it was announced that over 212,000 acres have now been burned in FL and that parts of I-75 and I-10 in North FL have been closed to traffic. For complete details, see: http://cbs4.com/topstories/local_story_132173753.html
@claudia413 (4280)
• United States
12 May 07
I know what you mean. There's flooding along the Missouri River in MO and KS, and we're in a drought here in FL. I sure hope the rain promised for early next week actually gets here and does some good.
@claudia413 (4280)
• United States
19 Jun 07
Not as bad now since we've been getting rain lately. But Lake Okeechobee is still over 4 feet lower than it should be. Let the rain keep falling, and let it hit the Lake. I remember prior years like this, when 100s of residents had to be evacuated and many even lost their homes. So sad.
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
12 May 07
Georgia is also experiencing thw orst wildfires in 50 years. The have been burning now for akmost 4 weeks.
1 person likes this
@claudia413 (4280)
• United States
12 May 07
Whiteheather, the smoke from the GA wildfires was being sent down here to FL by Subtropical Storm Andrea. Just heard she's showing signs of possibly strengthening again and turning to a Tropical Storm. As much as I hate those storms, we sure need the rain down here. Hope we all get some rain soon.
@unusualsuspect (2602)
• United States
12 May 07
I haven't been keeping up with the news lately, so I didn't know things had gotten that bad. My sister lives in Homestead, and it's been dry as a bone down there. I used to live west of Lake City, and I remember a summer of drought and fires. The closest fires weren't anywhere near us, but the air was filled with smoke for days, and the sun was blood red. Even though we weren't in danger it was still pretty scarey. It's all piney woods and scrub oak in that area--lots of stuff to burn. I just hope rain comes soon.
1 person likes this
@claudia413 (4280)
• United States
13 May 07
Lake City area has it the worst. I-75 is closed to the GA border and I-10 is closed in areas near there. We're all praying for rain, even here in South FL since we're getting so much of the smoke.
