Tropical Storm Maria?

Gabe · Senior Member

Well, currently, this stupid storm is a Tropical depression, but the hurricane center says that it will definately become a tropical storm and it might become a hurricane by Friday before it hits Florida.

The news casts over here say that it might enter Florida through Ft. Lauderdale, exactly were I live. Hopefully, if it does become a hurricane, it will be a weak one. Just a bunch of rain...

coop · Expert Member

As much trouble as you guys in Florida have, I think I would move before the insurance companies pull out of Florida......

Bob P · Site Admin

I've got my fingers crossed for ya Gabe. After Hurricane Dennis, and the two tropical storms up here this year, I can feel for your anxiety. Hang in there, and hopefully it'll be nothing more than some rain and gusty winds.

By the way...AT ALL COSTS....Keep it down there, and do not let it get into the Gulf of Mexico. We haven't finished spray painting over the big bullseye we have had here since Hurricane Ivan last year Laughing

Gabe · Senior Member

Lol Bob.

Apparently, when the storm gets name, it will receive the name Katrine and not Maria.

From the satellite photos I saw, the storm appears to be organizing very fast, and Im sure that in the next advisory, the TD will be upgraded to Tropical Storm. It might even be a hurricane by the time it gets here.

Anyways, Im just a bit anxious, due to the past hurricanes I have been through, and also due to last years hectic hurricane season that just brought a head-ake over another.

Gabe · Senior Member

Well, just checking in. Its 5:11pm and the eye of the hurricane is supposed to come inland in 2 1/2 hours. The winds we are experiencing are worse than what we experienced in last years hurricane season, but not as bad as I have seen in past seasons.

Will let you guys know what happens...

coop · Expert Member

When a fellow chatter is in dire straits, you should always know that were a pulling for you. Keep youself and loved ones safe.

Gabe · Senior Member

Well, the storm turned south at the last minute and hit Miami worst than Ft Lauderdale. We did get hurricane winds over here, and it was a bit worst than what I expected. Anyways, some homes around here had some damage, but my house has no damage.

Bob P · Site Admin

Glad to hear it Gabe. It was funny how that thing moved the way it did. Now I am just hoping it will move far enough away from me. I really am getting tired of this stuff.

wavysteps2003 · Expert Member

Hi Gabe,
Glad to hear that you pulled through another one of these 'canes. I was thinking of you when I saw where the strom made land fall.

Seems that "Katrina" had all the weathermen/women fooled, from the intensity shift (fastest increase every seen) to the projected track.

From the looks of things, we may have to start worrying about Gene and Bill up in Arkansas, although they could use the rain and even Chuck up in Springfield could get a taste of "Katrina". Like he does have enough to worry about with the twisters in that neck of the woods.

Well hopefully we will all be able to pull through this season of wild storms without any further damage. You all stay safe.

Wavy step
BJ

Bob P · Site Admin

Well...Even though we are pretty far to the east of the hurricane's landfall, we are getting knocked around pretty good. We are experiencing tropical storm winds of 45 mph, with gusts as high as 70. We had two confirmed tornados in the immediate area last night and this morning. All of the beaches that have been renourished after Ivan and Dennis are gone again. Roads near the beaches are gone or under water, and the storm surge and wave heights are running around 20 feet. We have had little rain so far, but as the bands come through here, it gets pretty hectic. Overall, we have dodged a bullet, but it's still a little weird going through this again for the 3rd time in less than a year. My heart and prayers go out to my friends and other folks in Louisiana and Mississippi. At a category 4, the devistation is sure to be significant. I will keep you all updated as the storm clears the area.

wavysteps2003 · Expert Member

As I sit in utter amazment at the picture of destruction I wonder why. We have travled to that area many times and I know that when we again visit that part of the country, it will be forever changed. It is hard to imagine that a city is 80% underwater, it is very hard to imagine the lose of housing, property and businesses, it is especially hard to imagine the suffering of those people effected and it is unimaginable the loss of life due to this storm. What else can be said?

WAVYSTEPS2003
Robert (BJ) Neff

Bob P · Site Admin

I am totally stunned. Crying or Very sad

I volunteered to help the folks out in the Hurricane Katrina area and I was able to get a helicopter ride today, and got to fly over Mobile Alabama, and southern Mississippi. It is almost impossible to describe what's left there. I will be changed forever after what I saw today.
The only thing that even compares somewhat to the total destruction in these areas was what the Homestead area in Florida looked like after Hurricane Andrew. I can not believe the total devistation.
As far as my area of FLorida...we were spared, but there is still some damage to the county that needs to be assessed...especially on the beaches and bayous where we still had a significant storm surge. My personal home and neighborhood came through it very well.
As I mentioned earlier, I did volunteer with the American Red Cross, so my time here at home, and on line may be somewhat limited for a few weeks. I do not know if I will going back over there, or staying local, as there are still many needs within my own county right now. I will keep in touch though...OK??

JRocco · Veteran Member

Stay safe Bob. I am watching the news reports that show how bad things really are down in the gulf and I am speechless. I lost a large part of my home in hurricane Gloria in 85 on Long Island, but the main difference was, after 24 hours we were able to begin the cleanup. We were able to tarp the roof and seal off the broken windows. Those people in the effected area are still so far from cleanup, they are still in survival mode. My heart goes out to them and I can only help by donating to the Red Cross and praying for their safety. The road will be long. I hope the government kicks this into high gear and helps those folks out ASAP. There are still people trapped with no food/water. We threw high gear for the Asian tsunami, I hope we throw overdrive for our gulf states.

Matt Dinger · Advanced Member

I read today that the New Orleans Mint has suffered damage having part of it's roof blown off....no one knows yet about the artifacts inside....I will try to keep you guys updated