So I decided not to burden Liz’s post with BS about upcoming hurricanes and politics, thought I’d post it here instead and maybe poke a little fun at the republicans, at least until Obama/Biden screws up again (please lets not turn this into a political forum, I just want what’s best for the country, wish the republicans and democrats would want the same)…the 2pm & 5pm NOAA updates for TS Issac does take it west of ealier updates, looks like Tampa could get a hurricane next week…but it could go even further west and threaten New Orleans and the Gulf States, though Tampa would than be on its northeast side, not the best position to be in. For some reason Issac feels bad to me, living in FL for over 50 years I’ve seen my share of hurricanes, but this one I think will do some damage. I worry most about its travel over the Florida Straits, it could strengthen dramatically over that warm water or turn east and hit South Florida, the economy is just starting to rebuild here and though roofers dream of a hurricane these days, for most of us that dream is more like a nightmare.
We’ll keep all of you in our prayers. The whole region…
I have lived most of my life (all but 5 years) within 60 miles of salt water and about half of that within 1 mile of a bay or ocean. I have lived through a couple of hurricanes and done damage survey work after one. I have the CaneCast app, consulting it frequently. I look at the forecast and at the spaghetti models. It doesn’t take a direct hit to really screw things up, and it doesn’t even take a hurricane.
From Houston, we will be watching and hoping that it will miss Florida and take an eastward turn out to the Atlantic so none of us have to worry about a storm for another week or so.
Jerry-keep the water cans filled, fresh batteries handy, and a full tank of gas. We have a spare desk in Houston if you need to work remote for a few days.
Thanks Peter, keep that in mind…after Hurricane Andrew we had no power for 8 long hot days, what really sucked was the neighbors across the street had power, but our side didn’t, and of course all my immediate neighbors took off after the storm, I packed my wife and daughter in one of our cars and sent them north to Jacksonville, and I guarded the house for those 8 days…boy was I an idiot, worse 8 days of my life, considering the neighborhood was not good to begin with…I now live in a better neighborhood, but being 20 years older and a lot less healthy, I have a few generators on hand that will provide some relief for a while. My luck hasn’t changed much, I live in a PUD and it seems that our sub development always loses its power the longest, and after the last major hurricane (Wilma) FPL (Florida Plunder & Loot) promised that our Grid was better than ever. I’m told our grid is bad, not sure I know what that means, but recently we had a brief outage and all my other friends in my PUD had power. Not a good sign with hurricane season in full swing.
I want to mention something about the commaraderie on this forum, it truly amazes me how gracious and kind most folks are here, I’ve never met Peter Jordan, yet he reaches out to me and I am sure others who post here. Lynn too among others with kind words and great suggestions. I’ve had my share of misery and hardship, I appreciate the commaraderie. There are good people who post here, many who have increased my knowledge of specwriting and this profession we all work in, 4specs remains my most frequented website (accept for Amazon.com), for both the knowledge and the people.
I’ve visited other forums some of a personal nature, wow there are some real wierdos out there, glad that’s not the case here…even linkedin has gotten hacked lately. And facebook, forget it how many ‘friends’ does anybody need?
Cudos to Colin.
We live in a townhouse developemnt that is less than 10 years old. We went through Ike with minimal damage, but the power was out for almost two weeks; water was out for 3 days. We had a cold snap right after the hurricane so it wasn’t too bad (showered in the dark), but the heat and humidity came back, and toward the end, we were looking for a hotel room. Yeah; about the power… most of the people in our townhouse development had power several days before we did. Boy, does that suck.
One day I will write my survival of an EF5 tornado back 3/1/97. Lost several friends that day, and almost my brother. Still to this day any low laying black storm clouds affect me.
Melissa is it true an approaching tornado sounds like a freight train, fortunately I’ve never been that close to a tornado, but that is what I’ve been told.
The one that dropped in on our party, literally, was a mile wide black wedge shaped cloud…it didn’t sound like a train. It sounded like two jet engines. But that sound happened when it was too late. We only had seconds to scramble for safety. My brother ended up in the top of a tree.
Thanks for the kind words, Jerome. This is a wonderful community and I’m blessed to be part of it. Remember, you don’t always get what you asked for, but you’ll probably get what you need (grin).
I’ve been through a couple of hurricanes when I lived on Long Island back in the '50s and an earthquake or 2 in California (as well as fires) in the '70s. Earthquakes are a lot more scary - you have no warning at all! Consequently, there’s no option to get to safer ground (hah hah). You kind of expect that other things move, but when the solid earth beneath your feet moves, it’s terrifying.
So stay calm, be prepared as much as you can (I like the generator idea), and have Plans A, B, and C in mind. Blessings.
I remember a time in Southern California when I was in a conference room interviewing someone interested in replacing me since I was leaving the firm and relocating to the East. A substantial earthquake struck during the interview - to the extent the building really shook with substantial noise and we crawled under the table in reaction. Funny think, that person no longer had any interest in the position after that meeting!
Robert, that wasn’t the '71 quake was it? We had a friend who got in her car once the initial shaking was over, drove to Arizona, and called her husband to say that if he wanted to see her again, he would have to move to Arizona because she wasn’t coming back to California!
TS Issac has not done much in the past day, still a minor TS, but it has slowed down its movement which may mean it will start increasing its wind speeds and organization. NOAA projections continue to indicate it will affect Florida, more so the Gulf side, so Naples, Fort Myers,Tampa, and Sarasota beware. Although tracking systems have gotten so much more sophisticated and able to predict patterns, I remain extremely cautious, anything could happen with this one, folks down here in South Florida seem to be heeding the warnings, no panic yet, I avoid the long lines by shipping most of my supplies in, cases of water will be arriving today, dog and cat food, and med refills, other supplies as well, if I had time I’d just hit our local Costco…but time is something I never have enough of.
I like reading the weatherundergound reports by Jeff Masters, over the years he seems to be the most thorough with his predictions and data. Jeff also predicts that when Issac enters the warm water of the Florida Straits major changes will take place, meanwhile he is very concerned about Issac’s impact on Haiti, an island that will probably see significant flooding.
Jeff is currently predicted landfall near the Florida/Alabama border on Wednesday. With Florida’s Gulf coast on the north side of Issac, I expect significant erosion, rain, and wind damage. Tampa doesn’t require impact resistant fenestrations, I just finished several spec jobs there, I expect if Issac grows to a significant storm, Tampa construction will be tested, I personally think all coastal contruction should include impact resistant requirements.
Too bad for the Republicans it might be a soggy convention, worse will be the diminished economic impact for Florida. Let’s hope the Republicans do not call off the convention…meanwhile the Paul Ryan campaign must refrain from using Twisted Sister’s “We’re not gonna take it anymore” song, seems Dee is not a fan, cudos to Dee…I’d be willing to bet someone slips up and plays it anyway during the convention…it is such an appropriate song during these times.
Jeff’s blog: http://www.wunderground.com/blog/JeffMasters/show.html
zzzspecs
For those that don’t remember, Dee Snider wrote this song in 1984 (a few excerpts follow):
We’re not gonna take it
No, we ain’t gonna take it
We’re not gonna take it anymore
We’ve got the right to choose and
There ain’t no way we’ll lose it
This is our life, this is our song
We’ll fight a 1000 legions
Don’t pick our destiny 'cause
You don’t know us, you don’t belong
We’re not gonna take it
No, we ain’t gonna take it
We’re not gonna take it anymore
Oh you’re so condescending
Your goal is never ending
We don’t want nothin’, not a thing from you
Your life is trite and jaded
Boring and confiscated
If that’s your best, your best won’t do
cudos to Dee
2am NOAA update has Issac continuing to drift west, now New Orleans looks like a possible landfall area, well at least the Mississippi River will get some much needed rain, still its a tough call, I for one won’t be relieved until Sunday evening when Issac will be clearly in the Gulf, S FL does not need anymore rain, but my friends in GA, AL, MS, LA, TX will probably be happy for the rain…worried about local flooding though, and poor Haiti is getting a direct hit, only as a TS, so lot’s of rain, still not something all those refugees in tents need, Haiti reconstruction is such a mess…so no one is in the clear, Tampa could still get a major hit and Cuba too. This hurricane season is just now really getting started, I shelled out the big bucks today, had the tree trimmers over, major trimming of my beloved canopies, but better safe than sorry, of course they will all grow back, but my house and office looks so naked now, and if that is not enough both generators are leaking oil, so much for being prepared…so stay away Issac I really don’t need your visit right now, I’m sure your sisters will be following soon.
Happy Anniversary Hurricane Andrew survivors, 20 years today Andrew became the most hated name in South Florida, hitting us as a Cat 5 hurricane. Issac is a baby compared to Andrew, let’s hope it never grows to be its twin brother.
Issac is strengthening, at 11am it was a stronger TS clocking 60 mph winds, looks like FL Panhandle will be today’s pick for landfall+, though anywhere from New Orleans to Tampa could be likely hits. And for us in South Florida, NOAA seems to be indicating we are in better shape to avoid it, but I will wait for Sunday night before jubilation…I still feel in my bones wherever Issac hits, it will cause major damage.
I hate getting up early on Saturday,but I had to do it as soon as I heard SW Broward where I call home was now under a Hurricane Warning, though that was clarified later to a Hurricane Watch, still I needed to get to the Bank, to the Gas Station, and the Market to pick up last minute items. I was not alone, had to wait in line at the Gas Station, there were no parking spaces close to the Market, and the ATm was a little finicky but I was able to get some cash.
As far as I am concerned Issac’s landfall remains uncertain, but since schools are being closed Monday and the Gov has declared a state of emergency, we all know TS aka Hurricane Issac is coming, I think by Sunday evening it will be a minor hurricane. Even a minor hurricane can cause damage.
I’ve heard of a lot of flooding on Haiti, some deaths, and their hardship continues.
Rainwise, this is a huge storm system, I was hoping it would hit the states that need rain, and from what I’ve read Arkansas might see some much needed rain, but where rain will be concentarted, they don’t need it.
Maybe instead of building more mass transit they should be building giant rain collection systems that funnel all that precious water via pipeline to the dryest part of our nation…just a thought.
We are thinking about you Jerry. We’ve been watching the NOAA reports. Here in Norfolk we have had our storms too, (not as bad as you tho’). Good luck and let us know when it gets to the other side of you that you are OK.
Margaret
Thanks Maragaret, haven’t heard from you in a while.
The problem with Hurricanes is that even when they have left the area, they can always change direction and pay you another visit.
Issac is still just a tropical storm, but it will soon be in the FL straits where anything can and has in the past happened. I’m not too worried right now about Issac, at least not yet.
BTW, my late wife, Susie was a major storm junkie, she would be glued to the weather channel, her favorite TV program was Storm Chasers and than anything medical (she was a Nurse Practioner), sitcoms or real life depictions. Susie would have loved a website I visit during hurricane season these days, Stormjunkie.com and for all you crazed storm junkies, stormjunkie.com has a live feed from Panama City to ‘watch’ the storm as it approaches the Panhandle. I’m not a storm junkie, sort of doing this in memory of my wife, while trying to be a good parent to my own daily hurricane, my daughter Andi, and a few of her loser friends who have no where else to go. This afternoon one of those friends put on a t-shirt that my wife wore all the time, it just happened to fall on the floor and Loser #1 decided to put it on cause his was dirty. Andi went ballistic, oh yeah her wounds remain very deep, I too was upset, only because he did not ask first, Loser #1 may be sleeping somewhere else tonight.
Its been almost two years since my wife passed away, her pressence remains everywhere in our house, Andi won’t let me give anything away, esp. clothes, Loser #1 has been repaying my generosity by helping me organize, some of this stuff, even more of a reason why he should not have put that shirt on. I call him Loser #1 because he is 25, he has a big family yet no one has offered him a place to stay, he has managed to father three children in his short life and of course no marriages, and believe it or not he once robbed my daughter, that in itself is a long story, still she has forgeiven him, so I am trying. Loser #1 is unemployed, he is required to perform one task per day worth about $25 in labor, for that he gets a place to sleep, bathe, and eat, and he does eat well. His stay will only be short term, there have been a few other losers staying here, some of those have become winners, most remain losers. Once again I guess I am doing this in honor of my wife, Susie used to tell Andi if any of her close friends got in trouble, she was available to help, there were many times Susie got up at 3am to retrieve a kid in trouble, sometimes in some really bad neighborhoods. At Susie’s funeral, Andi was accompanied by her friend Kat, Kat made the trip up to Jacksonville because Susie had rescued her one night, from an abusive boyfriend in a crack house, my Susie did have guts, anyway it made an impression on Kat, I’d like to say Kat is a winner, but she is not, her track record makes Andi look like an angel.
Before I forget, for those who wish to donate to the people of Haiti, there is a really good organization called Portlight Strategies accessible at portlight.org - its a great organization that specializes in helping storm victims globally.
NOAA TS 8pm update is out, TS Issac is almost over open water, just skirting the coast of Cuba, still only 60mph winds.
Seems my neighbors are getting busy (damn its dark outside), I hear chainsaws and hammering, preparations are underway. My trees were cut yesterday. We have plenty of water, canned goods, and dried and freeze dried survival food (actually these are my snacks) I will probably close up the storm shutters facing south and west tomorrow, a few months ago we installed our first hurricane resistant windows, so we won’t be totally in the dark, its too bad we never got the generators fixed, if power goes its gonna be hot, and messy, oh well.
11pm update…boring, still at 60mph wind speed, hugging the coast of Cuba, flooding out villages, about 340 mi ESE of Key West…reminds me of an old Patsy Cline song:
(Just movin’ along, Just movin’ along)
Well, I’m chasin’ the blues
Right out of my mind
I’m leavin’ my cares
And worries behind
‘Cause I’m on my way
I’m leavin’ town today
(Just movin’ along, Just movin’ along)
My lonesome old heart
Is broken into
I’ve been walkin’ the floor
Every night over you
But our love is all gone
I’m movin’ on
I’m a-leavin’ town today (movin’ along)
I got no love, no cares
Just heartaches
I’m leavin’ them all behind
Like the sun and the moon
And the stars above
We’re gonna be one of a kind
Well, I’m movin’ along
I gotta be free
I’ll find a new love
Wherever I’ll be
But my old love is gone
I’m movin’ on
I’m a-leavin’ town today
(I got no love, no cares)
(No heartaches)
(I’m leavin’ them all behind)
Like the sun, and the moon
And the stars above
We’re gonna be one of a kind
Well I’m movin’ along
I gotta be free
I’ll find a new love
Wherever I’ll be
But my old love is gone
I’m movin’ on
I’m a-leavin’ town today (along)
I’m leavin’ this town today…(Just movin’ along, Just movin’ along)
Hey, this would make a great Rebublican Party theme song both for the convention and the election.
zzzzspecs
zzzzspec Hurricane tip:
Freeze water bottles, some may break from the expansion, so if you are concerned, open them, pour out a little, retighten them and freeze them. The more frozen items in your freezer the longer it will keep cold, as the day goes by, you will have nice cold water and the food may stay colder longer after the power goes out.
are we having fun yet?