I finally went to sleep about 3am last night, but woke up at 5:30am (tv still on--eek!) to find out that what I thought would happen did indeed happen. Looks like Polk County is going to see some really bad weather.
I decided that I would take a trip to the local Walmart SuperStore to stock up on items and was pleasantly surprised to find out when I got there that water had been restocked, ice had been restocked and I was able to get what I needed. It also only took me 45 minutes to do that and when I left at 7:30 cars were pouring in. I guess I can be thankful that I didn't get much sleep. I feel much more at ease as far as being stocked up. I can take a nap later.

Polk County *may* be placed under a hurricane watch at the 11AM advisory according to Orlando's Channel 9.

To those that aren't sure whether to evacuate or not: the news channels are stressing that if you have NOT been told to leave, DON'T, because the roads are already clogged beyond belief. There was an accident on 95N by LPGA Boulevard and cars are backed up for miles. I hope people have enough sense to turn their cars off or else they'll run out of gas and I don't think there's going to a great supply of it up that way.

One of TB's radio stations had Ed Rappaport on and Jack Harris was trying to get a "general path" answer out of him, but he was steadfast in saying that he would not do that because 1)it's not a point and 2)it's such a large storm that it really doesn't matter at this point. He did mention that on the current track, inland counties will be hit pretty hard.

I am patiently awaiting the 11am advisory to see if this slowdown is going to happen or if it's just going to keep on keeping on. I know they're hoping that the race between the turn north wins out but right now I don't think they are even that confident in it. We were told that Polk county could expect 100+mph hour sustained winds.

I am also patiently awaiting to see what TB's chief met has to say this afternoon.