This information is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute nor should it be used in place of official information. Please follow and obey orders from local emergency management officials.
HURRICANE CHARLEY 2:00 P.M. - FRIDAY - 8/13/04
***PREPARATIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY IN THE HURRICANE WARNING AREA SHOULD BE RUSHED TO COMPLETION***
TPC has now acknowledged the NNE motion and I am in 100% total agreement with their landfall near Charlotte Harbor/Punta Gorda area later this afternoon. This is about the best one could have hoped for since in will spare Tampa, Sarasota and Naples an absolute direct hit. Fort Myers could take in on the chin for a while and a 12-14' surge is likely on the outer barrier islands.
Charley continues to intensify and a 120-130 mph hurricane at landfall seems all but a done deal at this point.
Charley will accelerate inland bisecting Florida and should emerge along the east coast of Florida between Daytona and Jacksonville….it will then continue up the coast on a NNE track either hugging the coast or coming up just inland. Will stick with the idea I had this morning of the PA/NJ border but that could need a rightward adjustment later today.
As Charley crosses the state winds to storm force gusting to hurricane force will sweep over a large part of Florida…only the southern 1/3 of the state and the panhandle will be spared high winds.
Tree and powerline damage at the coast and inland could be extensive.
More in an update around 6:30.
Batten down!!!