Hurricane Milton is bearing down on the Western coast of Florida and the damage is likely to be severe.
A storm surge of up to 15ft in some areas is predicted, but it could be even higher than that depending on where it hits and whether the storm is weakening by the time it hits the land - about 18 hours from now.
Hurricane Katrina (which devastated New Orleans) caused a catastrophic storm surge of 28ft as it weakened prior to hitting the Gulf coast, and created a staggering $125 billion in damage, though this was also due to New Orleans levee system failing and the geography of the city itself. Tampa, however, is also vulnerable and a worst-case scenario (direct hit from a Cat 5 hurricane in the process of weakening) could rival or even exceed Katrina in terms of damage.
I hope that it isn't as bad as it could be and that people who can evacuate are able to get out of Milton's way before it hits tonight.
We might just be the luckiest bastards down here if watching a massive tornado rip through the everglades is the extent of what we get. If that storm stayed organized and symmetrical before shooting north, we would have been just as screwed as Tampa.
A snow storm is hitting the UK today, and the inevitable disruption is happening.
I've just heard that Edinburgh has cancelled all buses until further notice, so that's my plans wrecked
My Mum and sister have also had to cancel a posh lunch that they had organised, and I won't be able to attend my mate's birthday bash in Edinburgh tonight.
The only plus side is that I was going to miss another friend's birthday bash in Glasgow, so I may be able to attend that, provided the disruption in Glasgow is not as bad as it is in Edinburgh.