Irma has been reduced to a Cat.4 most likely due to Cuba absorbing some of the energy.
Irma Churns along North Cuba Coast
Latest track from NOAA NHC has Irma tracking north just off Florida's west coast (in the Gulf). A little better for the Atlantic coast cities, way worse for the keys and FL gulf coast.

thanks Russ. it seems as if Cuba must have massive destruction from Irma. and the Florida Keys are going to take an enormous pounding too. I wonder if anyone decided to stay at Key West and ignore the evacuation. It's a very risky decision.

I have not seen any notices about Tampa sending out evacuation orders - not clear how the Gulf Coast is responding.

I wonder if it is possible for Irma to avoid the sharp turn to the north (after crossing the Keys), and instead travel on a more westerly course into the Gulf of Mexico?

Our county issued a mandatory evacuation order for everyone living in mobile homes.

Our next door neighbors are bugging out.

Jeanette Isabelle

HERE'S SOMETHING INTERESTING

Live Webcam from the harbor at Key West ...

http://www.keywestharborwebcam.com/

well ... that live Webcam WAS working.
But 10 minutes after I published the link, the # of viewers jumped to more than 30,000. so then the Webcam quit sharing info. Most of these homegrown webcams run off small servers - no bandwidth.

If you search for OTHER WEBCAMS from beaches in Florida, you might be able to find some live pix. good luck!

It's long past time for you to be getting North.

Mom and I are bugging in.

Jeanette Isabelle

this hurricane seems to be sticking close to Cuba, and not making the "expected turn northwards" towards Florida. Maybe at some stage Irma will make a swing away from the Cuban coast, and into the Gulf of Mexico. Apparently, there is something that the computer models are not capturing correctly.

This is VERY GOOD NEWS for Miami and Fort Lauderdale - a big, big break for the east coast of Florida.

But it is VERY BAD NEWS for Cuba and the Florida Keys - they will reap the full wrath of Irma. At this time, Naples, Fort Myers and Tampa are not "off the hook" from the hurricane's destructive impact.

Weather Underground has an excellent summary of Irma's interaction with Cuba and the outlook going forward at: Irma Reorganizes En Route to Devastating Florida Hit

I respectfully submit that you should reconsider and get out immediately.

I really would bug out if I were in the path of the hurricane, but we each make the best decision we can with the circumstance we have. Stay safe, Jeanette and other Floridians!

Can you guys stay in touch with ETS in case of power outage?