Right now it's a cat 5. Unless it calms down considerably, please don't stick around if you can help it. Here's another good site. Links at the top of the page will give you a good look at it. Here's hoping the monster evaporates.

Hi Bill,

Thanks for the link. The forecasts say that shearing is supposed to cause some weakening to a 4 or a 3. I'm in a situation where I can't leave, but I live in a relatively safe place. The power company has already said to be prepared for three weeks or more without power. Whatever the case, it's going to be rough. Prayers would be appreciated.

Susan,
You're in my prayers today, and our church prayed for all the people in your state yesterday. Hang in there, read Psalm 46 (especially the first 3 verses).

Thank you so much, Joel. :-)

You are all in our prayers too.

Thank you, Kari! :-)

Batten down those hatches! And if you have some empty plastic jugs or those plastic tubs that large sizes of folgers come in, fill them with water and freeze them. They'll last a lot longer than ice. (Not two to three weeks but I hope your power isn't out for that long!)

Good luck! I will be keeping my fingers crossed and sending thoughts above and all that.

Thank you, Andrea! :-) I'll look around to see if I have some containers like that to make more ice with. I have two bags of ice plus the ice maker tray is full to the top. But I could always use more ice. My sister is freezing large ziplock bags full of water. If I don't have any containers, I might do that.

Fortunately, I don't have much meat in the freezer. What little we have is stuff you can make on the grill (and I bought plenty of charcoal). I figured I could grill it, and then I could put the leftovers in ziplock bags in the ice chest. Most of the other stuff should keep if we have plenty of ice.

Susan,

Check out my favorite hurricane site for some amazing pictures.

And hang on tight! (I too am saying a prayer for you and yours tonight...)

Dave

Thank you, Dave! :-)