We are here and ready. We live 25 miles north of Gulf Shores and rode out Dennis this year and Ivan last year. I also was on the homestead here for Fredrick in '79. I was 7 years old and visiting relatives in Baton Rouge when Camille roared through in '69. Hurricanes are a way of life here and we have always stayed and prepared as best we could.

So far today we have had three rain bands come through with about 5 minutes of heavy rain and mild wind. We just came out from a tornado warning and it's still early in the game. The generator is warmed up and full of gas. The MREs and water are located throughout the house and there are lots of flashlights and batteries.
We are on the eastern edge of the warning and our prayers are with the folks who are in the direct path. This is a major storm that will cause a lot of damage... not just along the coast but far inland too.