Reporting live from Englewood FL & Irma.

[Ron Ortiz]

Live from Englewood, Florida. We just got our first band of rain, lot of wind and rain, then back to light rain. Have shutters up and just about everything put up. The Wagon is under a carport which is vulnerable to debris flying around. We'll see what happens, the "Moss Wagon" doesn't get along too well with wind, especially head winds.
The eye is supposed to be here around 9:00 PM. We live near some Indian burial grounds known as "Indian Mound" and it has prevented any hurricanes from hitting here as long as I know, at least 45 years. Several years ago when "Charley" brutalized the state it came straight at us and then took a 90° turn right into Charlotte Harbor, just several miles south of us. Once again, the Indian Mound. Years ago a hurricane came across the state straight at us and somehow looped right around Englewood. I believe in these burial grounds. But, this Irma is predicted straight dead center of Englewood, we'll see what happens. Our elevation is 13 feet and I live one mile from The Gulf Of Mexico.
Will try to keep you all updated. Like the song by The Who, "just another tricky day for you"

Ron Ortiz

[340Cuda]

Wow, I will be thinking of you. Please keep us updated as you can.

Good Luck!

Bill

[Frank Castros]

Ronnie,
Stay safe, I'll be thinking of you today.

[JThomas]

Where is Indian Mound in relation to Stump Pass Marina. I have a place in Rotonda West but never heard of it. Good Luck down there. Most of my neighbors left.

[Ron Ortiz]

JThomas, it is 4 miles up the coast. Located in downtown Englewood, just south of Dearborn St & Englewood Rd. It is like a little peninsula.
Still light rain and a strong breeze. All kinds of people leaving here today as they worried all night. Don't know where they are going. FL and GA has evacuation warnings. I-75 is open northbound in all lanes including southbound lanes.It is 300 miles to the state line from here, if I were to leave I would run out of gas about there. I believe all who left previously have probably bought it all up.
Being that I'm at 13 feet elevation and most of all Englewood is around 10 feet, I don't think it would be wise to leave here.
I am going to put on my Homer Simpson hat that says, "have no fear, have a beer"
I have heard that animals can sense things going on, my two dachshunds and big sheppard are laying around like it is siesta time. So much for them.
Power has flickered only once so far, but that is common during any storm. Talk at you later.

Ron Ortiz
U/SA wish I was racing

[Larry Hill]

Good luck!

[Mark70Nova]

Good luck Ron! I hope you and your family stay safe.

[Travis Miller]

Ron and anyone else who is reading this.

When there are tornado warnings in the Louisville area, I bring in my two crash helmets for my wife and I to wear in case we were to take a hit close to the house.

So Ron you might keep your helmet(s) handy if the winds get real serious to at least protect from flying debris that could cause head injuries.

[Floyd Staggs]

My sister-in-law judged posted a video of the water going out of Charlotte Harbor.

[Ron Ortiz]

Thanks Travis, so we are sitting here watching TV and decided to see if the helmets fit right. Now we are sitting next to each other, looking at each other, not a word is spoken, but I can tell in her eyes, she wants me to stage first. I go in, she follows, we start making motor sounds, the dogs come in and freak out. We take the helmets off in fear of being attacked.
It's starting to rain a little harder and the wind has picked up. Weather guy can't figure where it is going. A little east, then a little west. Originally they predicted from Maine to Mexico, I guess they are narrowing it down when it's right on top of you.

Ron Ortiz