Probably people who have major mental issues.

So tell me, J-Dub, what exactly caused Irma to set sail for the US in the first place? Do you know what two elements caused it to stay in over open waters much longer than expected, and why it ultimately went up the peninsula rather than hugging the east or west coasts of the state, or worse, getting into the Gulf? What caused it to weaken as rapidly as it did, even when the storm's organization prior to landfall suggested that it should have held its strength longer than it did? And what combination of those factors combined to keep it from being a devastating event for Tampa?

See, I do. And I'm not a meteorologist, just a hobbyist with a few years of highly informal training. There were no "serious mental issues" in play when warnings went out to Tampa that it could suffer a devastating hit from a category 4 storm. As late as 6-12 hours prior to landfall, that was a very real possibility, and if it had happened, the conversation would be less about Jacksonville flooding and more about the dozens of people who would have died in Tampa as large swaths of the city were rendered uninhabitable. So, since you're of sound mind and a better forecaster than, you know, the paid forecasters, answer the questions above for me. No asking your neighbor's cat. He has a much better grasp of the situation than you ever will, and his help would be cheating.

Well, I know making landfall causes tropical storms and hurricanes to weaken. That is why a Category 5 storm on the peninsula is so rare. I also know many storms are unpredictable and Irma was one of them. As for not hugging the east or west coast, Irma was as big as France so its outer bands could easily hit both sides of the state.

Obviously I should have deleted that post because people don't know how to interpret it. What I really meant was people worried too much about getting hit by Irma if it did not hit a Gulf Coast city worse than northeast Florida. My mind rewound to last year when the Gators canceled a game, stations ran out of gas, etc. and Matthew only caused a power outage.

---

The most bizarre thing I saw after the hurricane were kids. Playing. Outside!

No electricity for the idiot box so they had to resort to old fashioned entertainment.

---

The most bizarre thing I saw after the hurricane were kids. Playing. Outside!

No electricity for the idiot box so they had to resort to old fashioned entertainment.

I actually had to resort to reading a book!! A BOOK!! Can you imagine????

---

What in the Wide Wide World of Sports is agoin' on here???

The most bizarre thing I saw after the hurricane were kids. Playing. Outside!

No electricity for the idiot box so they had to resort to old fashioned entertainment.

I actually had to resort to reading a book!! A BOOK!! Can you imagine????

Nuh uh. Get out!

I've been reading paper books lately. I can't remember the last time I turned on my Kindle. It's been at least 6 months.

---

The most bizarre thing I saw after the hurricane were kids. Playing. Outside!

No electricity for the idiot box so they had to resort to old fashioned entertainment.

I actually had to resort to reading a book!! A BOOK!! Can you imagine????

Did you learn anything from Dr. Suess?

---

There are 10 kinds of people in this world.  Those who understand binary and those who don't.

I went out and bought a generator today. I was hard headed and thought the power would come back on in a day or two.. Wrong.. <queue the Price is Right losing horn>

Love the new generator though. It's a 5000 watt Champion Brand. Cost me about $600, but well worth it..

When my central heat and air went out on me last year, I went and got 2 window units for the time being as the outside unit was being replaced. So glad I got those too.. Got both going in my living room right now and it feels like the inside of an ice box..

Ice box.. Sounds like the punchline to a dirty joke about an Eskimo woman..

Yep, taking the plunge and getting prices for a permanent standby generator. I live in a rual area and am on the outskirts of the grid in my area (Williston Florida). Got hit by Hermine last year and Irma this year both times several days without power.

---

I actually had to resort to reading a book!! A BOOK!! Can you imagine????

Did you learn anything from Dr. Suess?

That cat in the hat is a troublemaker!!!!

---

What in the Wide Wide World of Sports is agoin' on here???

Did you learn anything from Dr. Suess?

That cat in the hat is a troublemaker!!!!

Perhaps he is, but he's an outstanding mewteorologist.

---

The most bizarre thing I saw after the hurricane were kids. Playing. Outside!

No electricity for the idiot box so they had to resort to old fashioned entertainment.

I actually had to resort to reading a book!! A BOOK!! Can you imagine????

So it wasn't just me!

---

Never argue with idiots. They drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.

That cat in the hat is a troublemaker!!!!

Perhaps he is, but he's an outstanding mewteorologist.

He is just a cat who happens to know the signs that rain is coming soon. Of course he does not wear a hat and is not a troublemaker.

---

Perhaps he is, but he's an outstanding mewteorologist.

He is just a cat who happens to know the signs that rain is coming soon. Of course he does not wear a hat and is not a troublemaker.

Looks like trouble to me

---

IT WAS ALWAYS THE JAGS