I live in SE Alabama, so I know about the effects of hurricanes. This is a Cat 5. NEVER in my lifetime(26 years) has a Cat 5 made landfall. I am praying for the safety of everyone in the path of this storm. Feel free to check in here to say that you are safe, if you have been affected by this storm. To seek comfort, or simply to share info and discuss. The last death toll I heard was 6, but I know it is likely much higher. Stay safe, my friends, AND PLEASE EVACUATE IF YOU ARE ABLE. I have family that is in SW FL near the Gulf and they refuse to evacuate. >->;; SO PLEASE DO NOT DO AS THEY DO.

I've spent the last week gathering supplies with the family and putting up the hurricane shutters. We're unsure if we're going to evacuate we'll probably know tomorrow. I'm in SW FL too!

Please be safe! If it is a mandatory evacuation, please urge your family to leave. It puts rescuers' lives in danger. All that said, I pray ya'll make it through the storm safely!

I'm all the way up north but have family down in FL. My cousin and her son just moved down there and packed up the car and left to go back to NJ a few days ago. My uncle has been on a rough journey pulling a camper/trailer and is currently in SC. He said people were speeding like maniacs after getting out of the traffic coming out of FL.

My uncle is having a problem and I want to share if it isn't too late for folks - get or take CASH with you. A lot. Apparently he says a lot of the gas stations down there are cash only. Also a reminder, you get hit with fees if you go to an unfamiliar bank/ATM and it can get out of hand if you don't watch it. He's also planning on taking supplies back home for himself and others when its over because things will be hard to get.

Be safe and wise every down there!

I was through an eye of a hurricane, it wasn't anything like cat 5 but it wasn't pleasant so I can only imagine what Irma is going to be feel like given its low pressure and wind speeds. Hopefully it does not stall when moving. Last thing anyone needs is a near stationary major hurricane the size of France. ;___;

I hope everyone stays safe! All the best wishes to y'all.

I am SO glad your family is safe! That is really good advice, too!

Thank you! Yeah, it's only moving at 9mph. OTL The Keys are really getting slammed right now.

Currently, it looks like my part of Alabama is right in the path of the storm, but we are under only a tropical storm warning, so that's pretty good for us.

Florida has so many skyscrapers built right on the shore. I have friends there :(

Have they evacuated, or did they elect to stay?

: They've elected to stay...

Oh no! D: I pray they will be fine. That's not safe for rescuers, or themselves if they are near the coast, though. D:

I am from Alabama! About 40 minutes east of Birmingham, actually. I moved to Orlando almost 3 years ago and I've never experienced a storm like Irma. We went through Matthew last year with no problems (actually went to Busch Gardens that afternoon) but Irma was something else. The eye of the storm passed directly over Orlando in the middle of the night and it was absolutely terrifying! No major damage done to our apartment complex other than some down palm trees and no power for almost 2 days.