Hurricane Irma

[Cat2]

I left southeast Florida on Wednesday, to go to the west coast. I packed everything I could in my vehicle(including my pets). I live in a wood framed house, not safe. Irma is coming. I tried to let one of the cats out in my vehicle to use the litter box. She freaked out and shredded my arms/hands. In a panic, I jumped out of my vehicle and realized that I locked myself out, in the pouring rain. Got to a hotel and realized cellulitis was forming from the cat wounds. After leaving the ER, went back to the hotel. Cats going crazy because they don't know what is going on. Finally we are settled in. Now the hotel says they may kick out all occupants if evacuations are ordered. Where am I supposed to go? No gas in South Florida. I don't even know which way to drive. Cant go East or South because of Irma. I am as far West as possible. North doesn't work because there are no hotels or gas. I just need some ideas and/or encouragement. Thanks in advance.

[Daddysgirl113]

I really don't know what you are feeling right now,as I live in the UK.

It's must be terrifying for you all.

I hope you & your cats are going to be ok.

Please try to stay strong.

Thinking off you at this difficult time.

Xxx

[Cat2 in reply to Daddysgirl113]

Thank you Daddysgirl113.

[HearYou]

Just try to stay find a shelter. We live in Tampa and we are going to be hit too. Irma is wider than the state. Just take your medicine....have no idea if there is a shelter near you that will take pets. We can't even get to our home to protect It. We are stuck on a ship that has taken harbor safety in Mexico. We are behind Irma and in front of Jose.

Keep focused on finding shelter. Don't let your anxiety shift your mission. Irma is hitting Miami first and is big enough to cover entire width of state. We don't expect to have a home left in Tampa when we manage to even be permited to sail back to Florida. GET SHELTER. FEMA IS TO PAY FOR HOTEL IF NEEDED> PROBLEM IS PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY BOOKED ROOMS DAYS AGO AND THERE MAY NOT BE ANY AVAILABLE. Keep your head and make calls to local police, etc. to find where you can go for shelter now. IRMA is traveling 150-175 mph. WE have people on this ship who have no where to go even if we are able to reach Canaveral by Wednesday. We have no where to go either once we reach Florida. My love and strength to you. YOU CAN DO THIS. FIND SHELTER NOW.

[HearYou]

Stay in that motel and just hang on. There is no safety going west. Just do everything you can to stay in that motel. PLEASE. There is no other place to go. Thank God you are in a motel. Take the next day or two at a time. traffic is blocked everywhere. YOU CAN DO THIS> JUST KEEP YOUR HEAD STRAIGHT>YOU ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT PERSON IN THIS WORLD RIGHT NOW>< DON"'T RISK YOUR LIFE> HUNKER DOWN AND JUST LET THEM TRY TO DRAG YOU OUT>>>>WON'T HAPPEN>>>>>YOU MAY END UP WITH FIFTEEN PEOPLE WITH YOU BUT YOU ARE IN ONLY PLACE AROUND UNLESS THERE IS A SHELTER NEAR YOU>

WE HAVE SEEN WHAT THIS HURRICANE HAS DONE TO THE ISLANDS. CANNOT NOT IMAGE IT. SOME ARE 95% DESTROYED. SAVE YOUR POWER SOURCE. OUR INTERNET GOES UP AND THEN OUT. NEVER KNOW WHEN IT IS UP. BUT WE ARE THINKING OF YOU. YOU WILL MAKE THIS. YOU WILL SURVIVE THIS. BELIEVE THIS. AM SORRY ABOUT YOUR HOME, AND WE KNOW WE MAY NOT HAVE ONE, BUT WE CAN ALWAYS RECOVER SOME HOW.

YOU KNOW THIS IS NOT FLORIDA'S FIRST RODEO WITH SUCH A HURRICANE. KEEP THINKING THAT. SIGNAL THAT INTERNEY IS GOING DOWN AGAIN, SO AM SIGNING OFF FOR KNOW. XXXXX

[Cat2 in reply to HearYou]

Thanks Hear you, most of the people here in the hotel are being nice. We are all being scared together😊

[HearYou in reply to Cat2]

How are you holding up? Where in the state is the hotel? Our internet goes up and down. Glad the folks at the hotel are good people. How are your cats doing? So glad you did not reach the west coast as it looks like Tampa, where my home is, may have the direct hit by Irma. The Keys haven't had her hit yet.

[Cat2 in reply to HearYou]

I am in a hotel in port charlotte(just north of ft. Meyers), where the hurricane is supposed to make landfall. Getting kind of afraid. Cats are getting antsy sometimes.

[HearYou in reply to Cat2]

Oh, I know you must be afraid. There would be something wrong if you were not. I am able to watch the weather program covering this progress of the hurricane. So far it has not hit Marco Island but very close to it. Just hang tight and give your cats some milk with Kahlua to chill out. (sorry, bad joke....just wanted to you to smile a little) Are you by yourself or are other people in the hotel keeping you company so you don't feel alone?

Do you have access to a television to keep track of the weather?

Well, if you do good, but don't try to watch it by yourself. Your anxiety might increase. My home is in Tampa, but am stuck on a ship near Mexico and Cuba because we couldn't get around the hurricane because she is too broad. Do you have enough money to buy meals there? If you do not, you let me know asap. We'll see if we can arrange something, ok. Email me back asap because the internet is up now, but the wind may blow down lines near you soon. OK?

[Hidden]

Some local high schools and universities are offering shelters

[Cat2 in reply to Hidden]

Yeah, but most are full by the time it hits the news tv. But thanks😁

[yeja]

cat, i also survived hurricane Irma. i also live in southeast florida. it was a terrifying couple of days. we prepared our house with shutters, flashlights, water, etc. we lost power sat night at 5:30 for two days. i was concerned about my children and grandchildren, and so many friends and relatives. my anxiety was definitely increased 100 times. All I can say is we are very lucky, not like the carribean islands who are about to get hit for the second time with hurricane Marie, or Mexico who just had their second major Earthquake. Everyone has their burdens to bear, we who suffer anxiety and depression feel things magnified and maybe overly exxagerated. i know i have an appointment with my therapist next week as i have so many thoughts rolling around in my head. i havent been able to sleep. just know you are not alone, and hopefully you are back home.