TROPICAL STORM / HURRICANE FAY

Post by **aTOMiC** » Mon Aug 18, 2008 11:31 am

Those of us in Florida will be getting our crap blown around beginning tomorrow morning. Tropical Storm Fay is expected to intensify to Hurricane strength before landfall along the Western Florida coast. The track projects the storm to pass over or near the Tampa Bay area (myself, dANdeLION, Cheval etc). Though Fay will likely be diminished back to a Tropical Storm before she arrives here, there are always surprises with Hurricanes so everyone hope for the best and prepare for the worst.

-TOM

YouTube · Post by **Menolly** » Mon Aug 18, 2008 11:40 am

We're on the same mindset Tom.

The current three day forecast shows Fay passing right over Gator Town on Wednesday, but significantly reduced in strength by the time she gets here.

www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_at1+s ... y#contents

I'm about 50 miles north of the top of where it says FL

May she stay minimal strength, and not cause severe storm surge along the coast.

Prepare for the worst, and hope for the least.

Stay safe all.

Post by **Sorus** » Mon Aug 18, 2008 5:21 pm

Stay safe.

YouTube · Post by **Menolly** » Mon Aug 18, 2008 6:02 pm

In case any Watchers loose power due to the storm, and can't get online for a few days, is there another Watcher who is willing to be texted or called, just to let anyone wondering know if those Watchers are OK?

I have the text number of a couple of Watchers, and have asked if I may contact them should I be offline during or after the storm. But I know if I am online and don't see Watchers from the west coast of Florida for a few days that I'll be worried.

It doesn't look like Fay will be all that serious. But again, prepare for the worse...

Post by **AjK** » Mon Aug 18, 2008 9:40 pm

Menolly wrote:is there another Watcher who is willing to be texted or called, just to let anyone wondering know if those Watchers are OK?

Absolutely. I will pm you my cell phone # and you can share it with the other Floridians. Feel free to call or text any time and I will gladly share any info requested.

Stay safe down there folks!

Andy

Post by **Avatar** » Mon Aug 18, 2008 9:47 pm

Hold tight guys.

--A

Post by **Cameraman Jenn** » Mon Aug 18, 2008 9:57 pm

Reading the latest reports sound like it's gonna be mild. Direct hit but mild.

YouTube · Post by **Menolly** » Mon Aug 18, 2008 10:05 pm

*nodding*

And it now looks like Gator Town will be to the west of the eyewall, instead of directly in the path. Which is usually the weaker side of the storm, due to the counter-clockwise rotation.

...whew...

Power may still go out though, as we have no underground powerlines here (utilities claims we're too close to sea level), and a lot of dying trees due to previous storms and pine bark beetles.

Keep those on the west coast in your thoughts though.

Post by **Cheval** » Tue Aug 19, 2008 1:47 am

We don't expect a whole lot, but prepared for the worst.
Living so close to the coastline, I'm more concerned about flooding more than the winds.
Just keep in mind: Katrina went from a Catagory 1 Hurricane to a Catagory 4 in just hours!
That's why I prepare for the worst.

Post by **dANdeLION** » Tue Aug 19, 2008 2:52 am

Hurricanes are always intense. I don't get too scared, but there was that time where I had to drive to work during a cat. 1, and am thankful I was the only guy on the road at the time. Obviously, that won't be an issue this time.

Post by **Cameraman Jenn** » Tue Aug 19, 2008 2:58 am

Hope you guys don't get hit too hard. My thoughts are with y'all.

Post by **Cheval** » Tue Aug 19, 2008 3:23 am

dANdeLION wrote:Hurricanes are always intense. I don't get too scared, but there was that time where I had to drive to work during a cat. 1, and am thankful I was the only guy on the road at the time. Obviously, that won't be an issue this time.

The fun part is having to stay at work and ride the hurricane out.

1985: Hurricane Elana.
I worked at the Adam's Mark Hotel on Clearwater Beach when Elana came by, stalled for 3 days, then moved on.
There were sand dunes on the 4th floor parking level, whipped up there from the winds off the beach.
Also watched our tiki hut/bar (approx. 12 ft. in diameter) on the pool deck get picked up about 8 feet in the air
and then blown over the seawall and into the Gulf.
I now respect the awesome power of hurricanes.

Post by **Cheval** » Wed Aug 20, 2008 2:24 am

Menolly wrote:*nodding*

And it now looks like Gator Town will be to the west of the eyewall, instead of directly in the path. Which is usually the weaker side of the storm, due to the counter-clockwise rotation.

...whew...

Power may still go out though, as we have no underground powerlines here (utilities claims we're too close to sea level), and a lot of dying trees due to previous storms and pine bark beetles.

Keep those on the west coast in your thoughts though.

We dogded the bullet this round, but now it's your turn.

Be safe!

Post by **Cameraman Jenn** » Wed Aug 20, 2008 3:03 am

Yay for you Cheval. Keeping good thoughts for those still in the path.

YouTube · Post by **Menolly** » Wed Aug 20, 2008 3:13 am

Cheval wrote:
Menolly wrote:*nodding*

And it now looks like Gator Town will be to the west of the eyewall, instead of directly in the path. Which is usually the weaker side of the storm, due to the counter-clockwise rotation.

...whew...

Power may still go out though, as we have no underground powerlines here (utilities claims we're too close to sea level), and a lot of dying trees due to previous storms and pine bark beetles.

Keep those on the west coast in your thoughts though.

We dogded the bullet this round, but now it's your turn.

Be safe!

*wracking my brain trying to remember which Watcher was in Daytona with the ill kitty*

It's not coming to me at all.
In any case, good thoughts headed her way tonight.

Looks like we in Gator Town need to watch if Fay gains Hurricane strength once she hits the Atlantic and makes a turn back west. But even if she does, the track shows us on her south side then, so it still should be a weaker side...

Post by **dANdeLION** » Wed Aug 20, 2008 5:09 am

I think Lady Revel moved there from Maitland, but I don't know if she has a cat.

YouTube · Post by **Menolly** » Wed Aug 20, 2008 10:48 am

That sounds right, thanks dAN!

Hope all is well, Lady Revel.

5 AM update looks like they are predicting Fay to have a more southerly track again, heading back more in the direction of Gator Town. But, looks like she is not predicted to strengthen to hurricane status. Will need to keep watching.

Post by **dANdeLION** » Wed Aug 20, 2008 11:36 pm

Heh, this storm looks like it's going to end up hitting every county but Hillsborough and Pinellas, which is the opposite of what was predicted by our local stations.....

YouTube · Post by **Menolly** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 2:38 am

This is insane!!!

All day long the SBAC website said schools will be open tomorrow, and to check back for status tomorrow for Friday. So, what do I get at 10:35 PM? A recorded phone call telling us due to Fay all schools will be closed tomorrow.

It's not even going to be hardly a tropical depression by the time it hits us. The only concern is the possible 10+ inches of rain in 24 hours...

*sigh*

Good thing Hyperception got the sand bags today...

Post by **Cheval** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 2:52 am

Melbourne (?) area reports 22 inches of rain in 24 hours.
That's a LOT of rain!

Latest forecast: Fay's path may cut back into the Gulf of Mexico, making 3 landfalls in Florida.
Luckily it isn't a hurricane.

IIRC, Lady Revel is just south of you Menolly.
(BTW, where has she been?)

Kevin's Watch

Kevin's Watch

TROPICAL STORM / HURRICANE FAY

TROPICAL STORM / HURRICANE FAY