Final Hurricane Track

Here's the 5 a.m. forecast image. I'm going to paste some IM messages I just sent to Overg that detail the specifics:

• 5am forecast has a direct hit on Pinellas County, landfall at Clearwater (the next city south of me, about 5 miles away)

• hurricane force winds around 5 pm, lasting until 1 am Saturday

• strong category 2 or minimal category 3 - winds are currently at 110 mph

• okay, now they're saying it will hit land as a category 3 (120 mph) but go down quickly to category 2 (115), but since there's only a 5 mph difference it isn't a distinction worth making

• tropical storm force winds starting at 11 am
  

So yeah! Worst forecast track possible if you're me. I'm going to go back to bed and try to get a few more hours sleep, then get up and construct the sandbags (kitty litter inside pillowcases) to put out around the patio and the front door.

I'm going to unplug the computer around mid-afternoon (or sooner if the power starts surging) but will update this entry with comments until then as possible.

*goes outside to check conditions*

Perfectly calm, for the moment.

(Oh, and please think positive thoughts for Scuddy. She's sick and I won't be able to get her to a vet until Monday, if she lasts that long.)