Posted on 09/07/2017 8:09:47 AM PDT by NautiNurse
Dangerous Category 5 Hurricane Irma had a devastating impact on islands in the Caribbean.
Hurricane and Storm surge watches were issued Thursday morning for South Florida. The Florida Keys began evacuating visitors and residents, followed by flood zones in Miami and Miami Beach. Sarasota FL declared a local state of emergency Thursday morning.
Polk County FL Sheriff Grady Judd said Wednesday that law enforcement authorities would check the identities of people who turn up at shelters--and take to jail anyone found to have an active arrest warrant. “If you go to a shelter for Irma and you have a warrant, we’ll gladly escort you to the safe and secure shelter called the Polk County Jail... “If you have a warrant, turn yourself in to the jail — it’s a secure shelter.” Judd also posted that sex offenders and sex predators would not be admitted to the shelters. "We cannot and we will not have innocent children in a shelter with sexual offenders & predators. Period." Judd's statements unleashed a liberal firestorm via Twitter.
Mash image to find lots of satellite imagery links
Public Advisories
NHC Discussions
NHC Local Weather Statements/Radar Miami, FL
NHC Local Weather Statements/Radar Melbourne, FL
NOAA Local Weather Statements/Radar Jacksonville, FL
NHC Local Weather Statements/Radar Charleston, SC
NHC Local Weather Statements/Radar Wilmington, NC, FL
NHC Local Weather Statements/Radar Morehead City, FL
NHC Local Weather Statements/Radar Norfolk, VA
Buoy Data Caribbean
Buoy Data SE US & GOM
Buoy Data NC/SC/GA
Hebert Box - Mash Pic for Tutorial
Credit: By J Cricket - Modification of map from Wiki
On/Off Hurricane List Mash Here--> 
Well, I’m praying that Irma will blow way out to sea
Ping for larer
Good on the Polk Co. Sheriff.
They mentioned in the last update that the eye was cloud filled. It is not mentioned this time, so is the eye clear again?
This isn’t as draconian as it sounds; he says “active arrest warrant.” Now on the other hand should he even be talking about it, or just doing it?
See satellite photo at top of thread. It’s pretty clear what the eye looks like.
Thank you for keeping these threads going! You’re a life-saver! Literally...
Well hello, dear FRiend. Haven’t seen you in awhile.
Well, I *do* like this post, but will also note that the storm’s position this morning is _exactly_ on the line forecasted by the hurricane center early last evening. So in other words... Irma is tracking as expected thus far.
So at some point Saturday the turn should begin. “When” and “how much” will determine everything.
SE Florida is now within the 72 hour window when models tend to have good agreement. The best they can hope for, IMO, is a track slightly off the coast that keeps the worst of the eyewall just offshore. The coastline above Florida is basically screwed, IMO. Surge is gonna be a bear.
With the small screen I am looking at now, I am not seeing much difference. Perhaps it is my old eyes. I see the distinct eye even when they said cloud filled, so was confused.
Caveat: if you have choices, take Talladega... the forecasted path might make camping a bit rough near Atlanta by next Tuesday or so.
A very bad hurricane for the tip of Florida, a very bad storm for the southern third of the peninsula, a bad storm for the rest of the peninsula. Irma could boogie right up the middle of the peninsula, but petering out as she goes for lack of additional water. Prayer can’t hurt; the Lord ultimately determines through His sovereign control over all nature where the storms will go. I pray that Irma will head out to sea, but would it be better overall if she runs square aground and is quickly sapped of her power that way?
It is interesting for me because I am supposed to be headed into northern Florida (Gainesville) as of late next week. They said hotels were booked out to Georgia, but I had no problem booking Friday-Friday as of next week.
Thanks for your helpful info!
Not familiar with the GA coast but SC and NC have been nailed enough in the past several decades that there is very little residential oceanfront construction remaining that is not raised on pilings. Going to wipe out frontal dunes with major beach erosion in many areas, though, and that typically renders oceanfront houses left sitting on the “new” beach un-rebuildable. They can be moved and sometimes are, for instance the house from “Nights In Rodanthe.” That was a major undertaking though, it’s a large, elaborate Hatteras style beach cottage.
Thanks! Still worried about my friend with Metro Dade PD. He’s not scared of the hurricane, he’s scared of the month afterwards. His family is inland at Winter Haven.
We have friends and clients in Port Charlotte, Wauchula, Zolfo Springs, Arcadia, and Sarasota/LBK.
I memory serves, you are on West Coast. U may skate on this one.
Be well. Be safe
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