Hurricane Dennis (Live Thread, Part III)

NHC-NOAA ^ | 9 July 2005 | NHC

[Diddle E. Squat]

Good luck, looking like a lot more rain is on the way.

[OKIEDOC]

I came back from Alaska in early 1970 to attend the university and took a long trip around the U.S.

I drove down to New Orleans and then across to Biloxi Mississippi to look for where my ancestors had a plantation during the civil war.

I did not realize at the time that a major Hurricane had come through the area in 1969.
Hurricane Camile had come through the area.
I could not believe the destructive power that was exerted on that area.
Big sea going ships were several blocks inland from the beach highway.

I have friends down in that area and I emailed them yesterday saying don't take a chance.
They have never been in a Hurricane and thought they might try to ride this one out to see what it is like.
Both are doctors and work and live East of the Mobile area between Pensacola.
They should know better but young educated people do stupid things and staying around is not a smart idea.

[blam]

blam central has moved about 15 miles to the northwest. I'm happy to announce...I'm back on line. I'm all prepared and have begun 'hunkering-down.'

[AnAmericanMother]

Thanks, looks like we can stand the upcoming. It looks like fairly steady and not TOO heavy rain - that is o.k. because the downspouts and culverts won't get overloaded.

It's the sudden gully washers/toad floaters/ trash movers out of the squall lines that cause panic to ensue around here. I don't like watching all the debris from upstream circling the drain six feet above the culvert mouth . . . fortunately I can get a look at the downstream end and make sure it's flowing o.k. We've had a lot of dry weather though and there's probably a good deal of silt and debris the length of the pipe (about 75-80 feet running under our driveway).

When the last hurricane came through, the culvert got well and truly stopped by all the floating debris. The water backed up some 10-12 feet and started running into the downhill end of our crawlspace. We belayed my son (he's the lightest one in the family by about 20 pounds, and by FAR the bravest) on a climbing rope over a stout tree limb, out over the culvert headwall, and he took a 12' hickory pole and poked at the culvert mouth until he broke the jam. The rush of the water cutting loose broke the pole off against the top of the pipe - when he pulled the remains in it looked like it had been chewed by wolves. "SWING ME ON IN NOW!" he requested in a loud unnaturally calm voice. So we did.

Memo to self: next house do not buy so close to a creek, no matter HOW pretty it is . . . < g >

[AnAmericanMother]

Hey blam, glad you're relocated a bit (wouldn't about 150 mile be better?)

Hang in there and stay safe.

(I still smile when I think of your "hurricane projected path" graphic with the red "X" and "BLAM'S HOUSE".)

[Diddle E. Squat]

Yes, if a storm approaches with enough intensity from certain directions the counter-clockwise rotation could push lots of water west into Lake P., and then as the wind direction shifts push that storm surge south and over the levee walls into the below sea-level bowl that is the city. IIRC, it could happen with a direct hit of big storm from either the SW or the SE direction. The pumps can handle the rain, but can't handle the storm surge of a huge storm overtopping the levees.

[Torie]

Thanks for refreahing my memory. That is it exactly.

[blam]

"I still smile when I think of your "hurricane projected path" graphic with the red "X" and "BLAM'S HOUSE".)"

Thanks. I think it was Rebelbase that made that target.

[Dog Gone]

Thanks for the explanation. I believe I was able to understand most of it, but you lost me on some of the technical terms. I had no idea that a meso and synoptic scale existed, nor what they represent, for example.

[skr]

Store peaches don't have much flavor any more......nectarines do.

And nectarines have a little tang. Thank you for the recipe. : )

[Timeout]

Glad you're resettled. I'm not moving til the morning...hope I'm not being too optimistic. Reading the last couple of pages of this thread has been a DOWNER!

Shoo, Dennis!

[Aggie Mama]

Timeout! I was wondering how you were doing. I think there is a 4th thread now.

[CindyDawg]

Just checking. Yall doing ok?

[NautiNurse]

Hurricane Dennis Thread IV

[sweet_diane]

"The best thing to happen to Gulf Shores in 30 years. Maybe someone will actually do something with that real estate now"

I know, but oh the childhood memories made there! lol

There's all kinds of plans in consideration for Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Gonna be really nice there in Orange Beach at the toll bridge.

I know Gulf Shores will never again be what it was...heck, our old house didn't even have an A/C, just lots of windows, yet I sure do miss the pre-Fredric Gulf Shores.

[Elle Bee]

perhaps not too bright riding it out ... but down island where every day is Groundhog Day even a storm breaks the mediocrity

thank you for the thoughtfulness

~ G

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