The National Hurricane Center has this going from a large thunder storm just south of the Cuba and the Yucatán Peninsula to a Cat 3 Hurricane hitting Florida on Thursday. That’s impressive.

That’s a really short timeframe. It’s going to be interesting to see the decisions being made before this is even becomes tropical storm. For example, the powers that be will probably announce today that school will be canceled on Thursday and probably Friday. You can’t have kids on buses in 40-60mph wind gusts or getting stranded because of flooded roads.

We are prepared with one new wrinkle: our son attending USF in Tampa. We told him last night to come home on Wednesday as soon as classes were over and bring his roommate who is from France. If the school decides to shut down the dorms, the students that don’t or can’t leave will be bused to local hurricane shelters which I’m sure would be a great “college experience”.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: trapper189,

Good luck Katrina survivor and countless others.

It ain't official until it has a name.

Hands down she gets a name.

Now named Tropical Storm Helene.

I got $5 that says Jim Cantore will be in Tallahassee tonight.

National Hurricane Center: link.

Storm surge of 5 to 10 ft up the coast, the news has people from Sarasota to New Orleans out waiting for the final destination.

Got 20 gallons of gas for the generator, half a box of cigars, and a new pair of sunglasses, we're as ready as can be.

Retention ponds are down so we have a place for any excess water...

As of noon, youngest son will be home doing classes online for Thursday and Friday. The principal made the call without waiting for the county public school district. I like her; she makes decisions.

My daughter goes to the same high school, but as a junior, she’s only taking college classes. She’ll have to follow whatever the college does.

Mailman just left. At least I’ll know what time it is:



They’re predicting this storm to be rolling 20mph on Thursday. That’s not really enough time for it to build much storm surge with the expected Cat 2 or low Cat 3 winds.

quote:

got $5 that says Jim Cantore will be in Tallahassee tonight.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^
He is a major asshole off camera. Just ask the poor folks who work in the hotels during the storm. A local newscaster visited a local dentist. He listed his profession as TV personality.

The models for predicting strength need work. Zeta came through late in the season low end Category One was predicted, we got a Cat three.
My thoughts are with you guys and wishing the best. As they say folks along the Gulf Coast measure time by the hurricanes

Been watching the models carefully. Looks like it will hit between Panama City and the big bend. I’m next to Pensacola. The models change so check back every few hours.

Son and family in Panama City, on the bay. He has already pulled his SeaDoos out and has em on a trailer.

fuel - check
booze - check
smokes - check
water - check
toilet paper - check

think I'm good to go

Beer. Check.
Vienna Sausages and Beenee Weenees. Check.

Flying insect spray. Check.

Jim Cantore is in Port Richey. I really figured he’d be flying into Tallahassee, not Tampa, because it would be the closest airport to the action.

On a side note: I drive through the intersection where Cantore got knocked on his ass by the wind on TV during Ian. I like to call it Cantore’s Corner.

I’m in St Petersburg. Schools closed Wednesday and Thursdays. Work is telework until Monday.

We have water, MREs and canned soup.

HELENE is going past us now. I'm in Cozumel. So far just light rain with some 30 min downpours. The worst should be over tomorrow afternoon. Fingers crossed

I'm in Destin. Looks like it'll pass east but the path can always change. My son is at FSU, they already canceled wed-fri; I like the decisiveness.

https://zoom.earth/

Hurricane tracker with the updates from NHC included.

Good luck to everyone in the panhandle and nature coast. Stay safe out there.

Standing-by in Apalachicola. As ‘new’ locals (2 years new residents), we’re observing the decisions of the locals. Most are at the ready for making that decision tomorrow lunchtime (Wednesday), with the expectation of landfall late Thursday evening. Hurricane party accomplished, now we get up early tomorrow and see what we see.

Adding this…. FOX meteorologist is on the island just south of us (St George Island). He just announced the mandatory evacuation of all barrier islands and evacuation of all non-residents. Although the county just announced evacuation of all residents of the entire Franklin County (including Appalachicola).
Funny thing is, FOX news Mike Slidel just said while standing in the sand live from St George Island, all hotels and motels on the island are under mandatory evacuation. There are literally NO hotels or motels on St. George island. Do your research man

quote:

Standing-by in Apalachicola. As ‘new’ locals (2 years new residents), we’re observing the decisions of the locals. Most are at the ready for making that decision tomorrow lunchtime (Wednesday), with the expectation of landfall late Thursday evening. Hurricane party accomplished, now we get up early tomorrow and see what we see.

^^^^^^^^^^^
That is smart. I have lived on the Gulf Coast for over forty years and have learned a lot. Folks used to drive by the weatherman's house and if he put up shutters they would as well. H revealed later that he put up the shutters even when it looked as if the storm would pass us by. I have been without power and water for over two weeks after Katrina and consider myself lucky. Brian Norcoss who is an expert said something very refreshing. NOLA had an engineering failure, Ms Gulf Coast had the 28 foot storm surge.