Time to Stock up on Beer!
By Jeff Moffitt
@moffittjc (121731)
Gainesville, Florida
September 5, 2017 4:39pm CST
The star on the map in the photo is me, showing where I live. It also shows where Hurricane Irma is likely to go as it makes landfall in Florida. All those lines are various forecast models that show where this hurricane can possibly go. Most models show the storm plowing right through the center of the state.
This storm is a catastrophic Category-5 hurricane, with current wind speeds of 185 mph (297 kph), one of the most powerful storms on record. Most of the structures built in the city I live in can withstand 100 mph (160 kph) winds, so if you can do basic math, you can see it isn't looking good for us.
We are still 5 days out from landfall, and already all the stores are sold out of water and non-perishable foods.
This is going to be a fun ride over the next week. Time to stock up on beer!
27 people like this
21 responses
@LovingMyBabies (85288)
• Valdosta, Georgia
5 Sep 17
It could turn though, let's hope! Most places here are empty too of those things.
7 people like this
@moffittjc (121731)
• Gainesville, Florida
5 Sep 17
I think that's what's making this hurricane so scary, is the fact that no one has a clue where it's going to go. There are five possibilities for this storm, and three of the five have the hurricane affecting all of us in north Florida. And the two other scenarios are very unlikely (turning north into the Atlantic and staying away from land, or staying south and going into the Gulf of Mexico). You know it's going to be bad when the Governor declares a state of emergency for the entire state.
5 people like this
@LovingMyBabies (85288)
• Valdosta, Georgia
5 Sep 17
@moffittjc I can still hope though. Lol.
I have no idea where we will go if we have to leave here...
6 people like this
@moffittjc (121731)
• Gainesville, Florida
5 Sep 17
@LovingMyBabies Yes, I agree! We can still hold out hope that the storm will turn. We can also keep praying that it spares Florida. But we should also be prepared for the worst, just in case.
As far as evacuating, I don't know if it will be smart to go north or northeast, as the projected path has it going up over Georgia and the Carolinas. I'm thinking that heading west on I-10 is probably our best bet!
4 people like this
@moffittjc (121731)
• Gainesville, Florida
5 Sep 17
What's going to happen to your condo? Is there somebody taking care of it?
5 people like this
@moffittjc (121731)
• Gainesville, Florida
5 Sep 17
@DianneN Either Antartica or possibly Arizona. But probably neither of those places are safe either!
4 people like this
@DianneN (247184)
• United States
5 Sep 17
@moffittjc Yes. Our dentist/inventor friend texted and just called. He's staying for now at least. Storm shutters were closed before we left. Our condo has withstood many huge hurricanes, although this may be it's last. lol
My husband checked with our car insurance and we are covered for everything except a collision, so hope no one takes it for a pleasure ride during Irma.
We are keeping an eye on it. Stay smart and safe! We may have to have our drinks in Antarctica at our new condo.
5 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
7 Sep 17
@moffittjc Maybe, but off shore and they do not come on land.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121731)
• Gainesville, Florida
9 Sep 17
@Asylum What's worse Barry, your constant rain you get all year long, or a day or two of a hurricane and then sunny skies the rest of the year?
Personally, I'll take a 2-day hurricane any day over year-round rainy conditions! lol
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121731)
• Gainesville, Florida
6 Sep 17
I'm sure there are storms in the North Sea that rival some of our hurricanes!
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (472078)
• Switzerland
7 Sep 17
@moffittjc We wanted to buy in Sint Maarten, it has been hit badly.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121731)
• Gainesville, Florida
9 Sep 17
@LadyDuck I don't think "hit badly" accurately describes what happened in Saint Martin/Sint Maarten. I think the more accurate description would be to say the island got wiped off the face of the Earth. Aren't they currently getting hit, or recently got hit, by Hurricane Jose which was right on the heels of Hurricane Irma? My heart goes out to all those people.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121731)
• Gainesville, Florida
6 Sep 17
And to think that about a month ago I came really close to buying a home in St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands. I'm so happy I decided against that!
1 person likes this
@bluesa (15022)
• Johannesburg, South Africa
7 Sep 17
@moffittjc all the best with this whole scary situation. 
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121731)
• Gainesville, Florida
8 Sep 17
@bluesa Thank you! Now we're just playing the waiting game...waiting to see which way it turns and which part of Florida gets wiped off the map. Miami's not looking good right now.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121731)
• Gainesville, Florida
6 Sep 17
It looks like it will be down to a Cat-3 by the time it hits Gainesville. I'm hoping it stays far enough south in the Caribbean that it interacts with the mountains of Cuba. If so, that will slow it down to a Cat-2 or Cat-1 before it turns and hits Florida
2 people like this
@thislittlepennyearns (62930)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
5 Sep 17
I'm going to have to stock up when I go into work tomorrow on water and stuff in case we got hammered. Stay safe Jeff!
3 people like this
@moffittjc (121731)
• Gainesville, Florida
5 Sep 17
@thislittlepennyearns If I come, I'll most likely have the kids along for the ride. Got room for three? They can sleep on the floor or the couch.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (121731)
• Gainesville, Florida
5 Sep 17
@thislittlepennyearns I have an air mattress I can bring. But I prefer a nice comfy bed! hint hint
They have not started any evacuations yet.
2 people like this
@thislittlepennyearns (62930)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
5 Sep 17
@moffittjc I could make room if it came to that lol. Walmart sells air mattresses. Have they started evacuating you yet?
3 people like this
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36850)
• Pamplona, Spain
6 Sep 17
I have seen a photo of the image and I keep sending out protective wishes for all.
I wish it would all fizz out instead somewhere very far off right in the middle of the ocean where it can do no one any harm.
1 person likes this
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36850)
• Pamplona, Spain
10 Sep 17
@moffittjc
Still time for it to fizzle out some more fingers crossed for that.
I have seen that it has lost power at the moment and its at Cat. 3.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121731)
• Gainesville, Florida
10 Sep 17
It is working its way north up the western coast of Florida right now. The good news is that the eye of the hurricane is just offshore from land, sparring many communities a direct blow. The bad news is, as long as the eye is out over the warm ocean water, the storm will be slow to lose strength, and may even gain strength.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121731)
• Gainesville, Florida
11 Sep 17
@lovinangelsinstead21 Yes, now that it is over land, it will start to lose its power and momentum. Which I'm not complaining about one bit!
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94914)
• United States
7 Sep 17
Stay safe! I sure hope the storm takes a sharp turn back into the ocean.
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94914)
• United States
11 Sep 17
@moffittjc I saw but luckily you're not along the coast!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121731)
• Gainesville, Florida
14 Sep 17
@infatuatedbby This hurricane was so big that it didn't matter if you were along the coast or not. Some of the worst hit areas were in inland parts of the state. Although the coastal areas did get slammed pretty bad with storm surge, especially along the east coast of Florida.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121731)
• Gainesville, Florida
10 Sep 17
So far it doesn't look like that is going to happen. But I'm ready for it.
1 person likes this
@louievill (28851)
• Philippines
6 Sep 17
Do you have a storm shelter or basement? I think it would be more fun to drink there lol
3 people like this
@louievill (28851)
• Philippines
6 Sep 17
@moffittjc oh it's similar to many parts of the Philippine.
3 people like this
@moffittjc (121731)
• Gainesville, Florida
6 Sep 17
Florida is too flat and low-lying to have storm shelters or basements. We are barely above sea level; if you try to dig down below ground level, you will hit water pretty quickly!
4 people like this
@lookatdesktop (27134)
• Dallas, Texas
6 Sep 17
Save some for me and meet me up north way up in Montana, where it is far away from that monster hurricane.
2 people like this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
6 Sep 17
Oh hell no @moffittjc ; I'd be heading for the Tennessee/Arkansas border.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (121731)
• Gainesville, Florida
6 Sep 17
I'm thinking that Houston looks pretty inviting right now!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121731)
• Gainesville, Florida
10 Sep 17
@nanette64 You're the third person who has offered to let me shelter in Texas! Now that's some southern hospitality there!
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
7 Sep 17
@moffittjc You could always come up the road to Fairfield (just north of Houston). I'd take care of you.
1 person likes this
@Poppylicious (11133)
•
6 Sep 17
Get really drunk! By the time you sober up it will all be over.
3 people like this
@moffittjc (121731)
• Gainesville, Florida
6 Sep 17
That's the plan! It works really well as long as my house doesn't blow away with me in it! haha
3 people like this
@moffittjc (121731)
• Gainesville, Florida
6 Sep 17
@Poppylicious Does Oz look anything like England? I wouldn't mind waking up there!
@Poppylicious (11133)
•
6 Sep 17
@moffittjc You'll be too drunk to notice ... you might wake up in Oz. That would be an adventure.
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (104192)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
5 Sep 17
My relatives and myself did stock up on food and drinks when Hurricane Harvey was in the area in Louisiana.
3 people like this
@moffittjc (121731)
• Gainesville, Florida
10 Sep 17
I've got all the supplies I need. Well, for the most part. There is no gas. Anywhere in Florida. But I have 3/4 of a tank of gas, so I hope that will be enough. Because there's no telling when they will be able to get gas delivered back into our state. It could be weeks.
@kobesbuddy (78871)
• East Tawas, Michigan
6 Sep 17
@moffittjc Oh my gosh, this is another bad one! Florida is right in its path, I will pray for your family, Jeff!:( Stay Safe!
2 people like this
@moffittjc (121731)
• Gainesville, Florida
6 Sep 17
Thank you! Prayers are appreciated! I've been through some whopper hurricanes in my time, including Andrew that leveled south Florida, but for some reason this one worries me more than any other hurricane I've ever experienced.
1 person likes this
@kobesbuddy (78871)
• East Tawas, Michigan
6 Sep 17
@moffittjc Yes, and for Michigan we have tornadoes dropping down, all over the place! Sometimes they are spotted ahead of time, when the weather conditions become ominous and typical. At other times, they just appear and start ripping up everything in their path! Also, blizzards are pretty common, we've been buried in snow, up to our windows:( Wherever we live, there's always something to make us concerned. Anyway, keep us posted, for sure!
2 people like this
@moffittjc (121731)
• Gainesville, Florida
6 Sep 17
@kobesbuddy It always seems like wherever you go you are not totally safe from Mother Nature's wrath!
2 people like this
@DanieGirl80587 (2713)
• United States
7 Sep 17
I pray for all of us in this hurricane's horrible path. Please stay safe and drink lots! Hahaha!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121731)
• Gainesville, Florida
10 Sep 17
You're in the thick of it now. I hope you are in a safe location. Let us know you are safe when the storm is past you.
@Marilynda1225 (83103)
• United States
7 Sep 17
I hope you stay safe. This is a very scary hurricane
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121731)
• Gainesville, Florida
10 Sep 17
I'll admit I'm a little worried, but not overly panicked. I was much more worried for south Florida, but it looks like they are going to get spared from the worst of it.
@moffittjc (121731)
• Gainesville, Florida
6 Sep 17
With each passing status update, the forecast trajectory slowly inches eastward. I'm hoping it keeps up to the point where we are out of the danger zone!
1 person likes this
@HazySue (39268)
• Gouverneur, New York
7 Sep 17
@moffittjc so to I. I am crossing my fingers, toes, and anything else that will cross.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121731)
• Gainesville, Florida
10 Sep 17
No, for three reasons: 1) I'm not in an evacuation zone; 2) I am in the inland part of Florida; and 3) I am on our city's emergency response team, so I must remain here to help with storm preparation and disaster recovery relief afterward.
@moffittjc (121731)
• Gainesville, Florida
10 Sep 17
@paigea I think the top winds now are currently at 150 mph in the eye of the storm. For the most part, it looks like the eye will stay mainly offshore, although some parts of the west coast of Florida will receive a direct hit. I will be praying for those communities. Where I live, they say we can expect 90 mph sustained winds, with gusts up to 110. It will topple most of the trees in our city, but I don't think anyone has to worry about their roof being blown off or their house blown down. It might be crushed by a tree, but it won't blow away! haha
@paigea (36315)
• Canada
10 Sep 17
@moffittjc I see. I am just looking at what you wrote that buildings withstand 100 mph winds and the winds are 185 mph!
1 person likes this
.@moffittjc (121731)
• Gainesville, Florida
9 Sep 17
That's funny! I have stocked up on plenty of jerky and chips! lol
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121731)
• Gainesville, Florida
9 Sep 17
@YrNemo Although I love jerky, it wasn't on my radar when I went to the store to stock up on food. However, most of the shelves were bare of food from people scrambling to prepare for the storm, but there was still a lot of jerky left. I thought, "Why not?" since I often take jerky with me when I go camping and hiking. So I stocked up on a lot of it for the storm. The only bad thing is that because of its high salt content, eating jerky makes you very thirsty, and water is something that will definitely be in short supply after the storm.
1 person likes this
@resukill22 (25050)
• Las Pinas City, Philippines
6 Sep 17
Be prepare and ready all the time, and take care
1 person likes this
@resukill22 (25050)
• Las Pinas City, Philippines
7 Sep 17
@moffittjc that's good
1 person likes this
