Tortoise Island HOA

09/28/2025

Evening, TI! We're still tracking the soon-to-be Imelda. Although we're experiencing some higher winds, power surges, and the like, this should die down through the night. This is NOT the incoming storm.
As TD9 moves northward and intensifies, the primary predicted track will stay offshore. While this does not spare us from any impact, and that our area is under a tropical storm watch, my guess is that we'll have winds upwards of 25, maybe 30mph through Monday afternoon, and precipitation up to about three inches. I'm being a little overly cautious, so I'm expecting less that what I just mentioned.
Bring in any items in your yards and on your patios that could get blown away, but I don't think we need to go full-blown hurricane lockdown.
Have a good evening...more tomorrow.

09/05/2025

Good Friday Morning, TI! Our next potential threat is beginning to form in the eastern Atlantic. Currently named Invest 91L, it's expected to form into a tropical depression sometime over the weekend. If it reaches maturity, it'll be known as Gabrielle.
While current expectations show a number of various potential tracks as we get into next week, predominant model runs show either a turn to the north/northeast like Erin did, or a slower, weaker system that could pose a threat to southern Florida.
Still plenty of time for guessing...

01/15/2025

09/23/2024

Evening, TI! It's only Monday, but there is a disturbance (if you haven't been watching) developing in the Gulf. This is reported to have the potential to be a whopper of a storm. While it has yet to even be characterized as a Tropical Storm, it's expected to very rapidly intensify over the next three days, with the possibility of becoming a major hurricane prior to its landfall somewhere in the Panhandle around Thursday. If this becomes so, we will still encounter effects from the storm. Right now, I'm guessing 2-4" of precipitation, with winds up to 40mph. Lots of time to watch and prepare, but considering we are past peak, we can't discount the possibility of significant impact from this storm. There is talk of the storm shifting more easterly based on expected wind patterns, so please at least think about what you may need to do over the next few days to prepare.

06/30/2024

What is looking like an early seasonal hurricane for our area. By the models, no cause for alarm in our neighborhood. Should run into the Gulf and hit Mexico or south Texas.

06/22/2023

Tropical Update: In case anyone is not following the Atlantic, there are two and a potential third system in work.
TS Bret is going to head toward the Yucatan peninsula, but could end up hooking up through the Gulf as a Low pressure system. No threat right now.
TD 4 is still forming. Looks to hook north into the Atlantic. No threat right now.
Tropical wave coming off Africa. Too soon to tell.

06/20/2023

A young visitor at the clubhouse today.

05/25/2023

As hurricane season approaches, take a look at our zoning for evacuation. On the barrier Island, we're all in Zone A. But this website has some good tips and tricks for situational awareness and preparation purposes:

Every year it's important for residents to know if they live an evacuation zone, a low-lying, flood prone area, a mobile home or an unsafe structure during hurricane season. These areas and buildings are most likely to be evacuated and knowing these zones helps Floridians prepare to evacuate and bet...

05/15/2023

In just two weeks, the Atlantic hurricane season begins (June 1st). While the peak of the season in our area doesn't happen until early-mid September, it's always a good idea to begin preps as we get into June. And it's not unheard of for a storm to affect us before we reach peak.
For those of our neighbors who are new to TI, I'll be posting information on preps, sales tax holidays, and storm progression.

11/07/2022

Potential system heading our way Tuesday-Thursday. Nothing catastrophic, but we may see a few inches of rain a winds up to 40mph. Be ready; even pull your dock furniture in.

06/04/2022

5pm Update | All Tropical Storm Warnings have been cancelled for east central FL, but continue over the local Atlantic waters. The Flood Watch has also been cancelled. Rain showers will linger through the afternoon & gusty squalls remain possible along the coast thru the evening

05/31/2022

Good afternoon, TI! Well, considering the 2022 Hurricane Season starts tomorrow, it’s likely to get an early start generating storms that can affect us.

What was remnants of the Pacific Hurricane Agatha is reorganizing and is now Tropical Depression 01E. It is likely to re-form into a tropical system in the next few days, with the current forecast models heading straight for the Florida Peninsula.

Too soon to tell the intensity, but expect some heavy rainfall coming this weekend; possibly even up to a couple of inches of rain.

While not necessarily a storm to be overly concerned about, it may be prudent to pull in your loose items around the yard and pool.

I will update further as info becomes available.

MIke