When I was a kid our neighbors moved about 45 minutes away. Their cat got out a few days later.

A few weeks later their cat showed up in our yard (he used to sleep in our sun).

My best wishes and hopes going your way, Flippy.

I keep, obsessively checking this thread for good news.

Illuminati, go home! Please!

The best news I can report for now is that Tropical Storm Faye has been a total non-event where I live - a strong breeze and lots of drizzle, but no huge storm yet, and it's already 3 in the afternoon. So, weather-wise, nothing 'nati can't survive. I've been out walking around a lot, peeking under cars and behind bushes. The maintenance man here said he saw what he called a black cat with little white spots (not quite, her patches are golden) this morning creeping around the pool. I hope that was her. I have skulked around the pool, and will keep doing so. In another hour, I have to go perform at the mystery dinner theater. I'm not going to be in a jolly mood. But, maybe, oh please oh please, she'll be waiting when I get back.

everyone's kind words have meant a lot to me. Thank you all.

Oy, I know the feeling, but can't imagine your state right now. :( Positive vibes heading your way in the search for your kitty.

missing cat - flippyshark is flipping out
 

Flippy oh no. Jovi got out let's see not too long ago really. I was in a state of Panic. She came from the outdoors. Situation similar to yours where we came home from food shopping and somehow she managed to dart out the door as we went to go inside. After an hour and a half of hysterically looking for her putting up lost cat signs etc one of my friends on the fan club board suggested i go out with a cat treat jar and shake it and call her name. So i did that and she was hiding under our house. Thank god she when she ran out the front porch darted to the right and i thought she went to the street behind us but darted under our house. I kept calling her name and shaking the treat jar and i heard "Meow" "Meow" faintly and then i turn and see her coming from underneath the house. I just stood there down on my knees waiting to see if she'd come over to me she did and i picked her up and took her inside. She knows now but if she ever gets out again (I don't trust her she knows outdoors). But that i won't panic again. Now the other two cats well Steven is so scared he'd go hide til we find him but would probablly come when called. Jonny he'd be gone lol but he'd be the one to survive out there lol...

Good luck Flippy and i'm sending positive vibes when you come home that she'll be there. Go explore the pool area (probablly wanted a drink) and take a few treats or a jar and shake it and call her name...

Nothing I can offer but don't despair or give up too quickly.

Make sure you distribute missing cat information to your local vets. If someone does take her in they may take her in for a checkup. Also your local pet supply stores (someone may go in suddenly needing pet food). Of course, keep a daily check of your local animal shelter.

Our cat got out a couple years ago and was gone for a week before a neighbor noticed saw her not 50 feet from our apartment. We have no idea where she was hanging out and she never stopped by for the food left out at all times (or to come in the door that wasn't closed that entire week).

Is she wearing a collar? One thing we learned was that even though ours is an indoor cat we should keep her collared anyway. It is an easy visual sign for anybody that she's not just a stray/feral cat. And her tag says simply something like "I'm an indoor cat, please take me home"

Anyway, while the not knowing really does suck, don't give up hope for a longer than will seem decent.

Oh no! I remember my sense of panic when Boris escaped for the night. I hope that your kitty is just hiding somewhere close by and will keep my fingers crossed that she is waiting for you tonight.

Oh! Flippy! I was away from my computer all day, I didn't see this until now. I have all kinds of good cat-lover energy coming in your direction. I'm so glad the tropic storm hasn't been problematic, and I will keep thinking positive thoughts that it won't be and Illuminati will find her way back to you swiftly.

I wouldn't worry about the weather too much. The week ours was missing was mostly wet and she was found and returned in the middle of a shower:

And she was completely dry. Cats are good at hiding, which is the problem.