4:15, Okeechobee
Our journey to meet Ernesto took us nine hours, 231 miles, six counties, five cups of coffee, and three strawberry Pop-Tarts.
Ernesto was elusive.

It certainly didn’t pack the punch many of us originally expected, but most Floridians would say that’s a good…]]> Ernesto Updates 2006-08-30T20:19:00+00:00 http://www.tboblogs.com/index.php/hurricane/comments/we_found_ernesto/ By Julie Pace

3:30 p.m., Lake Okeechobee
We found Ernesto.

He’s hanging out over the big lake, dumping a fairly sizeable amount of rain, but nothing more than an average summer thunderstorm in Florida. There is a pitch black cloud hanging over the lake, though, and we’ve determined that…]]> Ernesto Updates 2006-08-30T19:37:00+00:00 http://www.tboblogs.com/index.php/hurricane/comments/a_little_help_from_the_state/ 3:15 p.m.

A Department of Children and Families media release says the state is throwing a little early help to families with EBT food cards. If you’re in Highlands or Hardee counties, your September benefits are already on there in case you need stuff after Ernesto.

By Julie Pace

3:00 p.m., Okeechobee
Crystal Lauderdale and I have never been to Lake Okeechobee,…]]> Ernesto Updates 2006-08-30T19:05:00+00:00 http://www.tboblogs.com/index.php/hurricane/comments/gas_lines_gone_phone_lines_down_at_vero_stop/
Sharon Turner, manager of the Travel Center on State Road 60 in Vero Beach, watches the Weather Channel at work as Ernesto approaches the area. Crystal L. Lauderdale/Tampa Tribune

By Julie Pace

1:40 p.m., Vero Beach

All signs seem to be pointing toward Ernesto exiting…]]> Ernesto Updates 2006-08-30T17:47:00+00:00 http://www.tboblogs.com/index.php/hurricane/comments/waiting_for_ernesto/ By Julie Pace

12:35 p.m., Osceola County
Four-and-a-half hours later, we’ve found more rain.

That’s right, the last time we encountered rain was about 7:50 a.m., back around Bartow. Now, here in Osceola County, the clouds are opening up. It’s nothing out of the ordinary, just a steady rain.…]]> Ernesto Updates 2006-08-30T16:53:00+00:00 http://www.tboblogs.com/index.php/hurricane/comments/thar_he_blows/ By Julie Pace

12:20 p.m., Nearing Yeehaw Junction
We’re only about 30 miles outside of Lake Wales, in Polk County, but there is already a definite difference in the weather conditions. Dark clouds are rolling in overhead, and we’re seeing our first signs of any significant wind.

Sure, it’s…]]> Ernesto Updates 2006-08-30T16:51:00+00:00 http://www.tboblogs.com/index.php/hurricane/comments/hey_hey_hey_gooood_byyyeee/ By Julie Pace

11:45 a.m., Polk County
We’re leaving the overcast but dry weather in Polk County behind, and heading southeast where we’re hoping to find some of the rain associated with Ernesto, now a tropical depression. Our path is going to take us along route 60. Stay tuned…]]> Ernesto Updates 2006-08-30T15:51:01+00:00 http://www.tboblogs.com/index.php/hurricane/comments/polk_tropical_storm_warning_lifted1/ By Billy Townsend

11:07 a.m., Bartow
There’s no more tropical storm warning for Polk County. They’re still hanging out at the EOC and plan to be there until 6 p.m., but looking at the radar, the storm could dissipate before it even gets here.

10:52 a.m., Dade City
Owen Stephens has a few words to say about Ernesto: “Let ‘er rip.”

He says it while waiting to buy a lottery ticket at Mexican & American Grocery Discount Beverage in Dade City. “I’m homeless anyway, I don’t care, I ain’t…]]> Ernesto Updates 2006-08-30T14:51:00+00:00