Posted on 08/28/2008 8:25:49 AM PDT by NautiNurse
The 2008 peak of hurricane season is ramping up with Gustav and Hanna. The two storms pose threats to the U.S. At least 22 deaths in Hispanola are attributed to Gustav to date, and a Hurricane Warning is in effect for Jamaica. Tropical Storm Hanna has formed in the Atlantic.
Gustav |
Hanna |
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Buoy Data: Western Caribbean FL and East GOM Western GOM |
East Caribbean West Atlantic Florida |
Category | Wind Speed | Barometric Pressure | Storm Surge | Damage Potential |
---|---|---|---|---|
Tropical Depression |
< 39 mph < 34 kts |
Minimal | ||
Tropical Storm |
39 - 73 mph 34 - 63 kts |
Minimal | ||
Hurricane 1 (Weak) |
74 - 95 mph 64 - 82 kts |
28.94" or more 980.02 mb or more |
4.0' - 5.0' 1.2 m - 1.5 m |
Minimal damage to vegetation |
Hurricane 2 (Moderate) |
96 - 110 mph 83 - 95 kts |
28.50" - 28.93" 965.12 mb - 979.68 mb |
6.0' - 8.0' 1.8 m - 2.4 m |
Moderate damage to houses |
Hurricane 3 (Strong) |
111 - 130 mph 96 - 112 kts |
27.91" - 28.49" 945.14 mb - 964.78 mb |
9.0' - 12.0' 2.7 m - 3.7 m |
Extensive damage to small buildings |
Hurricane 4 (Very strong) |
131 - 155 mph 113 - 135 kts |
27.17" - 27.90" 920.08 mb - 944.80 mb |
13.0' - 18.0' 3.9 m - 5.5 m |
Extreme structural damage |
Hurricane 5 (Devastating) |
Greater than 155 mph Greater than 135 kts |
Less than 27.17" Less than 920.08 mb |
Greater than 18.0' Greater than 5.5m |
Catastrophic building failures possible |
Actually, the woof woof is taken care of. The temperature has dropped enough that he can fly to “grandma’s” house. The mao is still coming with us, as she has mental problems and anxiety issues and personality issues. LOL Thank goodness for small blessings. The blessing being that Rummy can fly...not Bella’s issues out the wazoo. Our daughter is thankful as well, as the 65 lbs of golden retriever was going to be invading her personal space in the backseat...with the baby and his carseat... Our car is nice and spacious...but not big enough for the 3 of them to happily share the backseat...especially since Rummy thinks he needs to lay down across the daughter, and rest his head on the baby...and he’s hot and drooly...lol
The lady at Delta even said that Rummy can have his security blanket (stuffed toy) with him in his crate. YAY!
Precipitation from Gustav may begin to affect the Florida Keys
and South Florida Saturday.
Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 30 miles from the
center and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 160
miles.
What are the differences NO should expect in water/damage/flooding, etc. with the path of Gustav going further left?
I meant to say - just depends on how far west of NO landfall is.
I pray that you and your baby will stay safe but please listen to your husband and “bug out”!
West of NO can be very bad. With the corruption and graft in the building of the levees, there are failure points everywhere. The one thing Katrina did not point out is what happens if Lake Ponchatrain fills up from those easterly winds.
If its possible please keep us updated here if and when you decide to leave. There are people here who care about you and your baby.
Hurricane Gustav Public Advisory Number 20A
Statement as of 8:00 PM EDT on August 29, 2008
...Gustav strengthening as it approaches the Cayman Islands...
A Hurricane Warning remains in effect for the Cayman Islands...and
for the western Cuban provinces of Isla de Juventud...Pinar del
Rio...la Habana...and Ciudad de la Habana.
A Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect for Jamaica...and for the
central Cuban provinces of Matanzas...Cienfuegos...Villa
Clara...Sancti Spiritus...Ciego de Avila...Camaguey...and Granma.
A tropical storm watch remains in effect for the lower Florida Keys
from west of the Seven Mile Bridge westward to the Dry Tortugas. A
tropical storm watch means that tropical storm conditions are
possible within the watch area...generally within 36 hours.
For storm information specific to your area...please monitor
products issued by your local weather office.
At 800 PM EDT...0000z...the center of Hurricane Gustav was located
near latitude 19.3 north...longitude 80.0 west or about 25 miles...
40 km...south of the islands of Little Cayman and Cayman Brac.
This is also about 90 miles...145 km...east of Grand Cayman and
about 365 miles...585 km...east-southeast of the western tip of
Cuba.
Gustav is moving toward the northwest near 11 mph...18 km/hr...and
this general motion is expected to continue during the next couple
of days. On this track...the center of Gustav will pass near or
over the Cayman Islands tonight...over the western portions of Cuba
on Saturday...and into the southern Gulf of Mexico on Saturday
night or Sunday.
Reports from an Air Force Reserve hurricane hunter aircraft indicate
that maximum sustained winds have increased to near 80 mph...130
km/hr...with higher gusts. Gustav is a category one hurricane on
the Saffir-Simpson scale. Continued strengthening is forecast
during the next couple of days...and Gustav could become a major
hurricane near the time it crosses western Cuba.
Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 30 miles...45 km...from
the center...and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 160
miles...260 km.
The minimum central pressure recently reported by the hurricane
hunter was 975 mb...28.79 inches.
Coastal storm surge flooding of 2 to 5 feet above normal tide levels
is possible in the Cayman Islands...with 8 to 13 feet possible near
where the center of Gustav crosses western Cuba...including Isla de
Juventud.
Gustav is expected to produce total rainfall accumulations of 6 to
12 inches across Jamaica...the Cayman Islands...and western
Cuba...with isolated maximum amounts of up to 25 inches possible.
These rains will likely produce life-threatening flash floods and
mud slides. Rainfall accumulations of 2 to 4 inches are possible
over southern Cuba. Precipitation from Gustav may begin to affect
the Florida Keys and South Florida during Saturday.
Repeating the 800 PM EDT position...19.3 N...80.0 W. Movement
toward...northwest near 11 mph. Maximum sustained winds...80 mph.
Minimum central pressure...975 mb.
The next advisory will be issued by the National
Hurricane Center at 1100 PM EDT.
$$
Forecaster Beven
Currently, the NHC track indicates Gustav will still be carrying Category 1-2 hurricane force sustained winds inland to your area, then the forecast is to slow its forward movement, again in your area. This will create a strong threat for flooding during and following damaging wind potential.
It’s not going to be good from any direction for NO, it’s not even okay there in a heavy thunderstorm that dumps several inches in a few hours. But to get the most intense winds near the eye would put a lot more stress on the infrastructure it seems. If it goes in as far west as LC/Lafayette, I think they will have a much better chance of escaping serious damage like Katrina.
If you leave tonite or early tomorrow, you won't be. Tonite, at least, you should ensure your gas tank is full and you have enough supplies for a week without transport or electricity
If you have a place that you can go, I would recommend going there tonight or early tomorrow at the latest
Visualize being with your baby with no power for air conditioning or refrigeration for a week. Although, being a military wife near Ft Polk, you will have some support if things get bad
Thanks for all the tips. I filled up my car with gas earlier today. The gas station next to my house is all out of gas and Walmart’s gas line is already roped up and people are being made to stay in an orderly line. I bought food yesterday but the stores were already out of canned meat and bread! People remember Rita and it’s aftermath, glad everyone is taking it seriously this time.
I could go to Houston and stay with relatives, but I am afraid the storm will turn and hit there at the last minute. Yes, I am hoping the army will help us out if it hits here, now wishing we didn’t live off post.
Good to know you have already been making preparations. Don’t forget cash. If electricity is lost, credit/debit cards can’t be used.
Thats a good bet not to go west, also, be advised there may be another storm right after this one in a few days and it may go to the east of NO, just a thoght, you might need more supplies than just a weeks worth.
If you leave now, before an evacuation order, you will probably avoid all the bumper to bumpter evacuation traffic.
Do you have family or friends you could go spend an extended Labor Day weekend with?
I'm not sure of traffic flows . We have friends in LA & Mississippi who we been talking too . My husband went to Ole Miss in Oxford Miss . We don't live near LA Or Miss our friends do .
You can also go to Holiday Inn website & check to see if rooms are accessible to book
I just thought I share the info about getting a hotel just to be on the safe side , because the longer you wait the harder to find a room
Have you talked to any base people about being able to get help if things go bad? I think the CO’s wife would be a good person to start with
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