For anyone interested, here's the low-down on my day - and date with Tropical Storm "Fay".
5 am this morning: the wind was so loud it woke me up. I had to turn on the radio to make sure there wasn't a tornado warning or something. Forget the TV - it's been cutting in and out for like a day now.
8 am - wasn't raining at all. some wind, but not much.
11:30 am - checked the Status of Liz's flight home. it's a go.
11:45 am: Left to take Liz to Jacksonville, airport. (still no rain, hardly any wind.)
11:55 am: heading on I-95 toward Jax, wind and rain get worse as we travel south... where did this come from? I start to pray for safety.
12 pm: traveling on I-95 still, going about 50 mph, we see a white truck on the side of the road, somewhat wrapped around a pole.
12:15 pm - exit Duval Rd. stop at a light, and tell Liz "I feel like there should be a person from the weather channel camped out right here, reporting on the conditions..." yeah.. you know how there's usually water on the ground moving almost in waves accross the pavement, rain is making hardly any visibility, and the wind is making the palm trees have characteristics oddly similar to jell-o? yeah.. that was the picture in front of me at that stoplight.
12:20-ish pm: arrive at the airport; drop Liz off.
12:30 pm: pull into the walmart parking lot and contemplate going in for a while to wait out the storm. in the meantime, the storm seems to let up a bit, and I turn around and get back on the highway... I just want to go home!
12:35 pm: Heading north on I-95 at about 35-40 mph, I see a white car on the side of the road, facing the highway, backed into the woods. what's up with the white cars?
12:45 pm: another wreck.
12:50 pm: the car in front of me (blue, not white) swerves a bit. scared the crap out of me. seriously thought they were going to lose control.
12:55 pm: I'm 1 mile south of the GA state line, technically still in Nassau county, FL, when I hear the radio say that there is a Tornado Warning in Nassau County. Great! my day keeps getting better! I continue home - scared out of my mind.
1 pm: exit into town, seems a little clearer, and I don't like the look of those clouds...
1:05 pm: on the street that leads to home. see a police car blocking off the road, starting at my street. either a wreck or a tree down... not sure which one. saw flashing lights.
1:10 pm: arrive home, and Liz calls to say her flight (as well as the rest of the flights) had been cancelled.
1:30 pm: check weather. it's going to be getting worse. wind gusts up to 50 mph.
2 pm: power flickers on and off for about 30 sec. then goes off. tornado warnings dropped.
2:30 - 2:45 -ish pm: power comes back on.
3 pm: consult with Liz. weather isn't supposed to clear up until at least 8pm (wind especially). At least 5 more hours at the airport, or take a shuttle to a nearby hotel? yeah, the hotel was the winner... more comfy, and safer for everyone.
3:15 pm: crash time til 4:30pm. Desperately needed.
