I know! Damn, this is a monster. I was just looking at the various projected tracks - several of them have this hitting the keys, turning sharply northward, and traveling right up the center of Florida. Holy hell, what a lot of devastation that would be - human tolls, economic tolls - awful.
I have a friend in the Miami area - I just invited her to come stay awhile if she wants to just get away. My other friend has an 18-year old daughter who JUST started college in Gainesville a couple weeks ago. She's there with NO car... NO support network in the area, etc. Although Gainesville might seem very "north" of everything and it's not right on the coast, if Irma does go up the center of the state, that town could be impacted too. You always have to be concerned about tornados, water shortages, looting, etc. I have ZERO confidence in any university's ability to handle things correctly... I'm thinking her parents should just tell her - catch a bus or flight heading north, get as far as you can, and we'll pick you up. What do you all think? What would you do if it was your kid?