Posted on 09/01/2004 3:15:34 AM PDT by Patton@Bastogne
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Free Republic Community:
Welcome to Wednesday's Hurricane Frances news-twist !
It looks like a Melbourne Landfall after all, once again (to Section9's worst fears) churning it's way North along the Coast Highway ...
Excellent Hurricane Frances Websites:
HURRICANE ALLEY
U.S. Weather Observers
Patton@Bastogne
Free Republic Member since 1998.
General George S. Patton Jr. Website
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Well, we got 3 wal-mart super-centers, 4 home depots, 4 lowes, 11 lumber yards, and 150,000 people runnin' around going nuts. We have the largest number of starter homes per capita in Florida and a home construction work force that equals the population right now.
I'm staying right here.
Whatever happens, big money is gonna get thrown at this area, bigger than what they threw at the west coast after charlie. The land values just went up 600% in 2 years and the nuke plant is on hutchinson island.
When I crawl out from under the mess, I'll make coffee with busted 2x4's.
But today is 3 days away from landfall. Lots can happen.
Nobody knows where this thing is going yet. I guess the good thing is that Charley raised everyone's awareness. I hope.
Viera,Florida checking in! Central Brevard County if you never have heard of it...lol.
The intensity forecast is modified only slightly from the previous package. Upper-level winds are favorable through at least 36-48 hr...so Frances should remain strong. A slight weakening is indicated at 72 hr based on land interaction and some possible westerly shear.Prayers for Floridians.
No doubt. I'm watching this thing like a hawk from my seat in VA Beach. Almost sounds like they're moving the jets from the FL bases up this way (I live right near NAS Oceana and about a 30 min drive from NAS Norfolk)
I'll be in Raleigh until Saturday when I go to Fayetteville until Monday, back to Raleigh on Monday and fly out on Tuesday. Should I be worried?
80-90 miles, depending on where you start and finish.
The ONE single optimistic note I have for the Space Coast right now is that the Hurricane Center has blown every single storm this year except for maybe Bonnie. This one has been teed up for me over several days, but the devil is in the details, and the end game is precisely what they've been faring badly on.
You have to understand though that Punta Gorda was still in the cone...and it is not that far from Tampa to be honest...only an hour's drive.
The holy excrement factor is taking hold. Folks on the barrier islands are aware of the 18 foot storm surge potential from the northeast quadrant of the storm. This is no drill. The Florida Today newspaper (linking & excerpting prohibited, those jackals) has a graphic showing the "bermuda high" (which is a better-recognized term than "ridge") holding and keeping Frances headed right for us.
The line for wood at the Palm Bay depot runs the full length of the building. People are camped out with umbrellas for protection from the sun. Everyone has a cell phone to their ear! There have been some minor traffic accidents around these home improvement centers. So far supplies of flashlights, batteries, gas cans, duct tape, etc. is plentiful. Figure things will be pretty well picked clean by tonight although there is still time for a resupply.
My instant impression is that these people are the quick and you know what that means for the rest.
NVA plans to get out of dodge.
Yes, I think you should be worried. But I wouldn't cancel the trip based on what we know now. Just make sure your plans have some flexibility built into them. (and don't sleep near flood plains).
Come to think of it, I've been hearing more aircraft activity than usual this week. I'm only 10 miles from Wallops and one of the NOAA sites.
I have been thinking that since last night and I am in Brevard County. Disney can withstand 140 mph winds..not much else. It could literally close the parks down for days only because of damage. They run on nuclear power.
Thanks Joe,
Somehow,I hope that you are right, your words are reassuring for a dad that ain't too calm about now...I lived in Jax for a couple of years,and just one threat of a voluntary evacuation there,was enough to convince me to move back to God's Country,where I really belong..being an eighth generation Texan and all..
That priveledge goes to Vero Beach
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This is what I'm afraid of. Godparents in Vero Beach. My best friend lives in St. Cloud and they got hammered by Charley inland--no power, trees down, damage to homes so it is frightenign to think what this one might do even inland.
If it comes in south of Ft. Pierce (West Palm or Lake Worth), the frictional effect could bring it right into Tampa (but fortunately there wouldn't be a storm surge).
A bad aspect of that track would be: it would cross over some of the areas devastated by Charley in south-central FL. Yeesh.
Fixin to turn either north or south.
We live in M. I. too.....heard on the readio that evac is tomorrow. Worried that we could get trapped. We live N. of the 528 and worried that draw bridge will get damaged and we won't be able to return home.
With all due respect I have to disagree. I was living on the Dade county border when Andrew hit and for 3 days prior to the storm...there was ZERO talk about Andrew going north. If anything it was all about how due west it was going to go.
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