Michael reaches hurricane strength as it heads for landfall along U.S. Gulf Coast

[Tbs77]

Be safe...

 

Hurricane Michael formed Monday morning in the Caribbean Sea and is heading for a landfall as a major hurricane with 120-mph winds along the Gulf Coast by midweek

 

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2018/10/08/hurricane-michael-forms-heads-landfall-u-s-gulf-coast/1564798002/

 

 

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[Skyler]

Our family and most in the congregation are going to be evacuating today. Although it's only a category 2 storm right now, our governor has declared a state of emergency for those in our part of the state, as we are going to be hit directly. We'd rather be safe than sorry. Please keep us in your prayers. Jehovah's blessings to everyone!

[Qapla]

Our family is not in the predicted direct path.

 

However, they are cautioning that we could receive tropical storm winds and vast amounts of rain. We do not live in a flood prone area but, we could lose power

 

Our COBE sent out an email yesterday encouraging all to make preparations and be mindful of having our go bags incase the storm decides to head our way.

 

: For those in the panhandle, please, heed the warnings!

[Friends just call me Ross]

[Old]

Grump's Wife, are you in a safe place, it look's like Michael is going to give you a personal visit. You and all our brother are in our prayers. 

[➕👇 ꓤꓱꓷꓠꓵ🎵Tone]

I heard Panama City FL was going to get a direct hit. Has this changed? Is it still Cat 2? ETA?

Older {waiting for wiser}

[Tbs77]

Hurricane Michael strengthens to Category 4 storm, considered 'extremely dangerous'

 

 

Hurricane Michael was upgraded early Wednesday to “an extremely dangerous” Category 4 storm and could be the most powerful storm to hit the Florida Panhandle in 100 years, forecasters said.

The storm’s sustained winds have increased to about 140 mph, with higher gusts, the National Hurricane Centersaid. The agency said it is possible the storm could strengthen further before it makes landfall Wednesday afternoon.

 

https://www.foxnews.com/us/hurricane-michael-strengthens-to-category-4-storm-considered-extremely-dangerous

 

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[Friends just call me Ross]

 

NPR radio reported this morning that it is the first time in recorded history that the Panhandle of Florida has taken a direct hurricane hit.

Praying all our family members survive Micheal as they all survived William.💙

[Qapla]

We are getting some rain bands from the storm but, since we are to the side of it and inland, we are not expected to get the type of damage the panhandle will get.

 

Our meeting for tonight was cancelled as a precaution.

[Friends just call me Ross]

LIVE coverage:

 

[Skyler]

Currently writing this from a hotel room safe from my city. The storm is now a Category 4 and I'm honestly so happy that our congregation recommended and made arrangements for us to evacuate. I have no news regarding the state of my home but the devastation being shown on the news is insane. The roofs of building are nearly under water and parked cars are being carried away.

 

Many of the homes are destroyed but I honestly feel incredibly blessed right now, more so than I've ever felt. Just having the privilege of knowing Jehovah puts things in such a calm and comforting perspective. Nothing we own is worth more than our lives. Living a simplified life means everything we have is replaceable. As long as we put Jehovah first, he will always provide. His love and holy spirit is drowning, overwhelming! Thank you Jehovah! I am so grateful to even speak His name!!

 

 

[Qapla]

Looks like we escaped this one. We were under a tornado warnings until a few minutes ago. We have been getting rain of-and-on all day long but it has not been heavy. We have not had any power outages.

 

Being southeast of the impact area and inland has been a real help this time - of course last year, not so good.

 

I feel for those in the panhandle impact area. We have some friends in Tallahassee and some in Wakulla County. I have yet to hear how they have fared.

[Tbs77]

Looks like we escaped this one. We were under a tornado warnings until a few minutes ago. We have been getting rain of-and-on all day long but it has not been heavy. We have not had any power outages.
 
Being southeast of the impact area and inland has been a real help this time - of course last year, not so good.
 
I feel for those in the panhandle impact area. We have some friends in Tallahassee and some in Wakulla County. I have yet to hear how they have fared.

Prayers from the international brotherhood

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[Qapla]

The cleanup now starts for Florida - there was some severe damage - and some "odd" damage

 

Michael is continuing to cause problems. Last night it trekked across Georgia still a hurricane - something i bit unusual because storms usually do not stay hurricanes that far inland. Now it is headed for the Carolinas ... where they do not need any more rain

 

Edited October 11, 2018 by Qapla

[Saffron]

That is weird that this hurricane stayed a hurricane that far inland. This train knocked over. Wow. Goes to show just how powerful these things can be. 

[miacheck]

Any word from the friends from the Port St. Joe Kingdom Hall?  It is only a few miles to the east of Mexico City.

 

[Friends just call me Ross]

NBC News tonight said the death toll was 13 and it is expected to keep rising.

The news also said that 95% of the city of Mexico Beach has been wiped out.  

It was ground zero for the hurricane. 

 

[Loopy]

To think, all Jesus said was, “Hush, be quiet!” And the wind died down and the waters calmed down. 

 

Mark 4:39 “With that he got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea: “Hush! Be quiet!” And the wind abated, and a great calm set in.”

 

 

[Qapla]

We have received some Disaster Relief Surveys to check our availability to help and what skills we have (through the LDC and after our Disaster Relief Safety Training)

 

Will see what comes next.

 

I did hear from a Brother between the strike zone and Tallahassee - they had minimal damage and power restored. They will be able to have their meeting tomorrow

 

[Friends just call me Ross]

TV News tonight said that hundreds are still missing.  Hope it's because they moved out of harm's way

and they just can't contact their friends and families with their whereabouts. 

[dove]

My daughter just told me a sister said 45 members of their congregation are missing...😨

[Foxes53]

The lack of phone service in some of the affected areas is evidently making it difficult to find out where people are and if they are safe. We know the brothers will be doing the best they can to work through their groups and eventually get information to the CO who will report to the branch. But no doubt lack of phone service is a challenge.  

[dove]

11 hours ago, Friends just call me Ross said:

TV News tonight said that hundreds are still missing.  Hope it's because they moved out of harm's way

and they just can't contact their friends and families with their whereabouts. 

I think that's what it is ...

[dove]

Update:

Everyone has been accounted for..Panama City is unlivable..totally shut down.

It's such a tourist area that many will be out of jobs I would think..

[GrumpysWife]

My friends who live in Panama City are all ok just still shaken. The Kingdom Halls are all good but the churches in that area have all sustained major damage, at least according to those I've spoken to. We live 40 miles north of the beach and there's been quite a bit of damage to homes where we live. Even some of my friends have lost their homes or lots of damage. This is really terrible.