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I rode out the storm here just outside of Punta Gorda. We had storm surge into town like had never been seen before though Helene was close. I had water up over the first step to my house but fortunately it didn't come in but I am on higher ground than the city is.

There was one tornado near or in Clewiston that was the strongest ever seen in southwestern or central Florida It was a huge monster for down here and quite wide. According to the meteorologist at WINK News we had never had such a large outbreak of tornadoes before, many only separated by a few miles. It was not a pleasant experience.

Interestingly though I has seen him on a vid earlier up in Tampa Jim Cantore was on another one late at night from the Sunseeker Resort in Port Charlotte, just across the river from Punta Gorda showing it flooded.

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I’m so glad the surge and tornadoes spared your home. I live on the Gulf (out of Milton’s path) but was in anguish for those who were every minute.

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I'm so glad to see your post - those tornados were spine chilling. I'm also so glad that your house is dry 😀

You're very brave, Laura T.

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Not really but my car got totaled the day before the storm and everywhere was closing early so people could get ready so I couldn't buy or even rent a car. I thought the water here was storm surge as I hadn't seen any before having left for Irma and Ian but my neighbors told me this morning that the large pond behind the house always overflows and floods the are about that deep but is gone the next day and they were right it was back down to just over its usual bank when I got up. The house is undamaged but I will need to replace the fan on the central air/ We got off lucky.

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I think the forecasters at the NHC need to do some soul searching on initial forecast and intensification. I wish my bookie would allow me to submit an “amended forecast” a few minutes after the outcome of the game has been determined…

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