Hurricane Milton is the next storm to threaten the U.S. mainland. The question is how strong it will be at landfall. That, and how it will affect the area in Florida where it is expected to make landfall.
I looked at the Tampa area elevations. Surprisingly, like many sections of the Florida Coast, elevations way above any surge are found near the coast. Anything 20 feet, or above, in elevations will not be inundated by a storm surge, and if impacted by a hurricane in the last few years, wind damage will be much lower than an area not impacted for decades.
So, there is a lot of doom and gloom, which is what some of the meteorologists are paid to peddle, but I have a feeling those in Florida know the drill, most will leave, newer structures have been built for hurricane force winds, and the state forces are will prepared to offer help after the passage of the storm. Hopefully, as it approaches, the wind lessens, a lower number hurricane comes ashore, and those that were just impacted by Helene are not severely impacted by the next storm.
Hunkering down in our house just a few miles SE on Tampa. We're on high ground, so no flood threat. Our biggest threat is all of the large, older trees on our property and the tornadoes that are already spinning up. At the moment, 11:25 a.m., Milton is forecast to crush Bradenton and Sarasota. I'll let you know if we make it through the storm.
ReplyDeleteSo far, it looks like the worse of the outer rain bands, with all the tornadoes, are far to your southeast. From what I'm seeing, Milton will travel across Florida at a good pace, and the time of the highest winds won't be for an extended period of time.
DeleteGod bless
Checking in at 1700. Milton is approaching the coast, but hasn't made the turn to the right that they had forecast. Shit's about to go downhill fast from here. The "worst-case scenario" is going to happen if he doesn't decide to go to the right in the next hour or so.
DeleteIt looks like you may see the eye, but the rain bands will be almost gone after the eye comes ashore. That makes a big difference. So far, the data buoys aren't showing category 3 wind.
DeleteChecking in at 1945. It actually hooked to the right just in time to prevent the catastrophic surge into Tampa Bay, thankfully. We're getting hammered with deluges and high winds, but it could have been much worse. Our hearts go out to those south of us and those affected by the numerous tornadoes in the outer bands.
ReplyDeleteFrom what I've been watching, the storm is not the storm they've been fear mongering about. Sea buoys didn't show the wind speed forecasted, and land stations - as usual - manage to fail, or the data is not being given for information. If I'm right, the damage will be far from what was anticipated, and good for those impacted.
DeleteI would expect them to be more prepared.
ReplyDeletePreparation for many is to stock up on water, fill the car, and cans, hunker down, and prepare for the worst. Hotels, and traveling, are beyond their budget, which leaves them little options. Those threatened by a surge are taking a chance they might not survive, but to some, it's all they have, all they know, and thinking someone might loot their belongings is worth taking the chance.
DeleteYou got that one right!
ReplyDeleteI understand the concern many have. That and the concern of officials that have a choice of either accentuating the threat, or facing the wrath of the public that feels they should be warned. I don't understand the outright lies, corrupted data, and continuation of reports that are not true. Many just need to know the facts to make decisions. There's a huge difference between a category 1 and category 5 hurricane. The officials knew it downgraded long before it came ashore.
DeleteAs a life-long, born and raised, West Coast Floridian, I personally say to anyone who thinks that this storm was "over-hyped", they can go have violent coital relations with themselves. Last night was the most terrifying night of my life, made worse by the fact that my wife, cat and dog were all riding out the storm on the same couch.
ReplyDeleteThe eyewall came within about 10 miles SE of our house and, even though (thankfully) it lost strength as it came ashore, our area looks like a fucking war zone. Those who've never experienced a hurricane need to sit down, sit back and shut the fuck up about "preps."
We just had a hurricane dump 20"-plus and 5-8' storm surge 10 days ago. Many of the people in the area still had mountains of PERSONAL belongings piled up at the curb as Milton roared ashore.
The last two weeks have been life-altering for millions of people. If you can't empathize with that, perhaps it's time you put a 12-ga shotgun in your mouth and do the "Texas Toe Tap."
PS: You may have seen reports about the damage, but we haven't had power for over 24 hours and cell service is barely 4G, with shitty coverage.
Hurricane Ike passed about thirty mile west of my house at the time. According to the wind gauges within five miles of my house, the sustained wind was around 60, with gust to 90. For those that never endured such an event, the worst is hearing the tornados approaching, with a roar like a train engine, and the increase of the wind. Hearing them pass gives a relief, but adds the fear there can be more. The surge caused the most devastation. Finding large barges on a highway 20 miles from the coast is a sobering event.
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