Sorry Florida Max Mayfield says it will be a Cat 1

[malaise]

close to the Keys on Thursday.

When Max talks, I get serious.

[taterguy]

1. It? I'd be scared shitless if I had the slightest idea what "it" was

[AlabamaLibrul]

2. It is obviously a hurricane - they use category ratings (nt)

[malaise]

You know already

A lady named Irene :D

[taterguy]

12. How do you know what I know?

[Lunabelle]

3. Hurricane

[Bluzmann57]

4. Sounds like there is a hurricane blowing in

Doesn't sound too good for the people down there. Good luck to you all if you are reading this.

[11 Bravo]

17. Yeah, that was a real brain-teaser.

:eyes:

[Hosnon]

27. Ha.

Regrettable reference to Florida regarding a "Cat 1".

Hmmmmm???

[KaryninMiami]

5. Yes but it it still early - could head out east

Computer models showing many tracks off shore to the east. Living here in the summer is always filled with some extra excitement. I think I'll go fill a container with filtered water just for the heck of it. And yes, I'll go count the tuna fish cans too!

Ah. Summertime in the tropics.

[monmouth]

10. Peanut butter and jelly on saltines. If the power goes out that tuna is

might not be too tasty (mayonnaise goes bad)..

[Dappleganger]

15. Come to my house, honey...

me and My Big Daddy will fix you up with some delicious hurricane food. ;)

[Aerows]

19. I'm checking my stocks

I'm on the Gulf Coast in MS, but since I went through Katrina and we were the area of landfall, I ALWAYS have hurricane food. I could probably cook a 9 course meal with some cans of tuna, powdered milk and an alcohol hiking stove.

[monmouth]

25. Sounds like a plan!...LOL...n/r

[Amaril]

20. That's what spicy brown mustard is for

To wet the tuna when the mayo goes bad. I toss some pumpkin seeds in, too, and eat it on multi-grain crackers. Tres yummy!

[Obamanaut]

6. Dooooommm! But to counter, I predict that this particular storm will

approach the southeast tip of Florida, and scuttle up the coast, with no winds over land greater than 45 mph. It will head back out to sea in the general area of the Ga/Fl line, and will be heard from no more.

And you heard it here first.

[malaise]

8. May be a Cat 1 but that's no biggie

The worry here is water.

[DrDan]

7. drat - currently in the NE quadrant - the worst place to be - sure hope it shifts more eastward

[malaise]

9. He said if it came in from the west as forecast

it is the worst possible scenario for the same reason you stated.

[Obamanaut]

13. Note that the "official" predicted track has shifted to the east, almost as

if...well, I told you so - here's the post from slightly upthread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=439&topic_id=1785978&mesg_id=1786106

But to counter, I predict that this particular storm will approach the southeast tip of Florida, and scuttle up the coast, with no winds over land greater than 45 mph. It will head back out to sea in the general area of the Ga/Fl line, and will be heard from no more.

And you heard it here first.

[Maccagirl]

11. Irene's going over "extremely" warm water

and that's what is going to give it strength.

[Dappleganger]

14. Exactly.

This is a recipe for a hell of a storm.

[Bosonic]

16. nice hurricane toy

http://www.stormpulse.com/

[Aerows]

18. God if it hits the Keys

it will be in the Gulf...and since I live on the Gulf Coast and already had the "joy" of experiencing Katrina in all of her Fury, it makes me very nervous. Time to start figuring out how to keep everything charged up, and recheck the emergency supplies.

[ProdigalJunkMail]

21. wunderground seems to think east and strong

sP

[Renew Deal]

23. I think it's gotten more serious.

Now it's going into South Carolina as a "major" storm. That's usually a cat 3 and above.

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/storm_graphics/AT09/refresh/AL0911W5_NL+gif/145813W5_NL_sm.gif

[spin]

22. A cat 1 is a lot of wind and rain ...

but in most cases, if you prepare, is more of a pain in the ass than a catastrophe.

You definitely may lose power and if you live in a area prone to flooding, you might consider getting sand bags. It might be good advise to stock up on food that does not require electricity to heat if you do not have an alternate source of fuel. Batteries are always a good idea as is water.

Of course, if you are told to evacuate, do so. Also be aware that emergency services such as police and paramedics may not be able to respond and even after the storm has passed, may be unable to navigate roads blocked by fallen trees or underwater.

It is also important to realize that weather forecasters ability to predict the intensity of a hurricane is far from reliable. They do far better on predicting the track of a storm, but be aware the the storm can strike anywhere in the predicted zone, not just the center of the forecast track.

The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale

Category One Hurricane (Sustained winds 74-95 mph, 64-82 kt, or 119-153 km/hr).
Very dangerous winds will produce some damage

People, livestock, and pets struck by flying or falling debris could be injured or killed. Older (mainly pre-1994 construction) mobile homes could be destroyed, especially if they are not anchored properly as they tend to shift or roll off their foundations. Newer mobile homes that are anchored properly can sustain damage involving the removal of shingle or metal roof coverings, and loss of vinyl siding, as well as damage to carports, sunrooms, or lanais. Some poorly constructed frame homes can experience major damage, involving loss of the roof covering and damage to gable ends as well as the removal of porch coverings and awnings. Unprotected windows may break if struck by flying debris. Masonry chimneys can be toppled. Well-constructed frame homes could have damage to roof shingles, vinyl siding, soffit panels, and gutters. Failure of aluminum, screened-in, swimming pool enclosures can occur. Some apartment building and shopping center roof coverings could be partially removed. Industrial buildings can lose roofing and siding especially from windward corners, rakes, and eaves. Failures to overhead doors and unprotected windows will be common. Windows in high-rise buildings can be broken by flying debris. Falling and broken glass will pose a significant danger even after the storm. There will be occasional damage to commercial signage, fences, and canopies. Large branches of trees will snap and shallow rooted trees can be toppled. Extensive damage to power lines and poles will likely result in power outages that could last a few to several days. Hurricane Dolly (2008) is an example of a hurricane that brought Category 1 winds and impacts to South Padre Island, Texas.
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/sshws.shtml

[NightWatcher]

24. Sorry Carolina, looks like a Cat 3. Time to run on the stores in 3, 2,

Good luck DUers up there. If it looks too hairy GET OUT.

[Obamanaut]

26. Uh oh. It's gonna miss Florida, and looks like Georgia too. I'm still holding

out for a turn prior to the Carolinas, aren't you?

No gloom/doom for Miami this week.

But there is a tropical formation about 600 miles from Cape Verde, with a 10% chance of growing.

[RebelOne]

28. With luck, it will miss Georgia,

but we could sure use the rain from it.

[William769]

29. It will be a cat 3 & probably miss most of Florida.

http://www.nbc-2.com/story/15306030/2011/08/22/irene-becomes-seasons-first-hurricane

[The Backlash Cometh]

30. The good news is that the more fierce side of a hurricane is the right side.

And it looks like only the left side will hit Florida.