I'm no expert but all of those things factor in. They thought it may turn north earlier, earlier in the week. They "predict" the weather and there is no way they know exactly what it will do. The water temperature in the area is 90° and that is what is giving the power to this system. They actually fly planes in the hurricane to get measurements because the radar. can not read everything that is going on over water. I pay for auto insurance, homeowners insurance,and taxes, so I have already contributed to Harvey, and I'm sure Irma will get a lot too.

Don't understand why people refuse to evacuate.

Yep, unless there's a reason for it, if it's out of plain ignorance I find it hard to have any sympathy, they've had enough warning.

I feel for those stuck on Caribbean islands though, not much choice for most of them.

Some people can't evacuate. If you look at the traffic heading north, it's close to a parking lot and takes a couple of days sitting there creeping along while the storm is predicted to come along that same path. Sorry, I would rather stay in my home than end up stuck in a car as a hurricane passes over me.
As well, some people still have to work for a living and can't take a week or two off. So there are reasons people are not leaving.

I have many coworkers in Fort Lauderdale that are staying but they are inland from the coast. It's not the first hurricane they have seen.

But there is that one person that lives on the beach in a condo that is staying there... that's a bit crazy...

There's still people we know in the Keys that are staying, my niece's Dad for one. It is insane.

I'm in Holiday, not Bradenton. Unfortunately due to mistakes I made 15 years ago I don't drive. So I am pretty much dependent on my sister as far as transportation.

I told them we needed to leave Florida. They seem to think we will be okay in the house we're in because it survived a category 3 hurricane.

Yesterday morning looked like it was going to Miami or up the center. Now it may come directly to us, sparing the East Coast.

I pray that where ever it eventually goes, all will be safe.

Exactly, I was fortunate that my work place said to go, but definitely can't afford to not work. I live paycheck to paycheck. Not everyone can do that. My niece's boyfriend had to work yesterday and she was supposed to last night but they closed early, if they refused and got fired, how do they feed five children?

Others don't have the resources or money to go. Shelters are free, but a lot of them are full. Some motels refuse are refusing people with animals.

Yesterday we had to shop for last minute things to feed a house full of 15 people (8 children, 7 adults) and lots of animals.... even if we were to leave Florida, were do all of us stay? Thank God people were still working, I thanked them for being there.

So in that sense, my family is right. Make where we are as secure as possible and pray to God we'll be okay.

I spoke with a family in Walmart yesterday, they don't have the resources to leave. So they have no choice.

And now, like 2e said, it is like a parking lot on some of these highways. We have a better chance of surviving, at this point, where we are.

Irma is about 90 miles from Key West.

Hopefully all will be safe

Where is Holiday Pisces? From what I hear Irma will go up the western part of the state. Are you in Irma's path? If you are stay safe my friend.

A guy from Miami, Florida wanted to chat with me about an hour ago. I asked if he evacuated, and he asked why. He didn't even know a hurricane was coming through!

Good sign that he's not from Miami, it's been storming there all day.

It's about an hour Northwest of Tampa where it's supposed to hit.

They are saying it will be a category 3 by time it gets here.

I'm hoping we'll be safe. We boarded up all the windows, have sand bags for the doors and are on higher ground than other locations, plus it's a home built to withstand hurricanes... already weathered a cat 3.

Thank you Poet, I will be checking in here so long as I have power.

Here's hoping you will have power. There's no telling how long it would be out if you lose it. I almost went through Hurricane Andrew in 92 and that one was devastating in Florida.

Please be a safe as you can Piscesmoon.

Thank you greeneyes, I am hoping like crazy that I will be.

Are you in Jacksonville right now?

They were saying there's a 20% chance here, which is pretty good compared to other places.

BULLETIN
Hurricane Irma Intermediate Advisory Number 45A
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL112017
800 AM EDT Sun Sep 10 2017

... CENTER OF IRMA ABOUT TO MAKE LANDFALL IN THE LOWER FLORIDA KEYS...

SUMMARY OF 800 AM EDT... 1200 UTC... INFORMATION
----------------------------------------------
LOCATION... 24.5N 81.5W ABOUT 20 MI... 30 KM ESE OF KEY WEST FLORIDA ABOUT 110 MI... 180 KM S OF NAPLES FLORIDA MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS... 130 MPH... 215 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT... NNW OR 330 DEGREES AT 8 MPH... 13 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE... 929 MB... 27.43 INCHES

WATCHES AND WARNINGS
--------------------
CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY:
THE GOVERNMENT OF CUBA HAS DISCONTINUED THE HURRICANE WARNING FOR THE CUBAN PROVINCES OF CIEGO DE AVILA, SANCTI SPIRITUS, AND VILLA CLARA.
SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:
A STORM SURGE WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR...
* SOUTH SANTEE RIVER SOUTHWARD TO JUPITER INLET
* NORTH MIAMI BEACH SOUTHWARD AROUND THE FLORIDA PENINSULA TO THE OCHLOCKONEE RIVER * FLORIDA KEYS * TAMPA BAY
A HURRICANE WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR...
* FERNANDINA BEACH SOUTHWARD AROUND THE FLORIDA PENINSULA TO INDIAN PASS
* FLORIDA KEYS * LAKE OKEECHOBEE * FLORIDA BAY * CUBAN PROVINCES OF MATANZAS AND LA HABANA
A HURRICANE WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR...
* NORTH OF FERNANDINA BEACH TO EDISTO BEACH
A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR...
* WEST OF INDIAN PASS TO THE OKALOOSA
/WALTON COUNTY LINE * NORTH OF FERNANDINA BEACH TO SOUTH SANTEE RIVER
A TROPICAL STORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR...
* BIMINI AND GRAND BAHAMA

Just got back from the local beach.
Lots of activity.
Lots of Florida license plates.
Lots of BBQs.
Big craft fair at one of the parks and its jam packed with people.

How nice Tom!

The winds are picking up, trees are bending sideways. Just saw a power box blow up, and this is just the beginning here.

I have had fox news on since yesterday and it has been non stop IRMA and she's sputtering out.

She's weakening, which is good, but it would be nice if she'd sputter out completely.