At 2:30 pm we are in the midst of some pretty heavy rain. As what remains of Frances continues to the northwest, the remnants of the eye wall are now rotating through our area and with it water and wind.

With steady winds of 25 mph and recorded gusts up to 47 mph, it's a bit breezy. The forecasters tell us to expect up to 2 inches of rain per hour over the next few hours. That on top of just over 4 inches received since last night.

The wind drives the rains from the NE and it lashes at the windows of our den as I read and watch the coverage on the tube. The cat is huddled up and taking cover while we ride this one out.

Reports are that over 1.5 million are without power, it appears that once again we are among the fortunate, so far at least. While Floridians are starting to assess the damage in the areas Jeanne has abandoned as she moves through, those in her path have plenty to look forward to.

My sis and parents in North and South Carolina are in the projected track, as they have been for many of the remnants of our Florida hurricanes. While they don't get much of the winds, the have been pummeled by the rains.

The difference being that the soil of their area is not well suited to these storms. The sandy Florida soil percolates the water well and though we may see some standing water, it doesn't last long and quickly drains into the aquifer.

In the Carolinas it's a different story. Their ground is made up of heavy clay and the water runs off the hilly terrain, building to flash floods quickly. Indeed my folks experienced that recently when rains flooded the stream in front of their home and it became a raging river surging out of it's banks a good 15 or more feet and under their raised manufactured home.

They should get prepared for this one as it heads their way. Again, the winds and rain are moving through as I write and are expected to continue for several hours to come. More later.

Be sure to visit Letters From Iraq