Should the current track hold, a direct hit on Freeport, my house is about 65 miles due north of the impact area.
What should we expect as far as wind speed assuming a cat 3 at landfall?
Anyone with more hurricane experience have an idea?
Well, I live on the Alabama coast, on the eastern shore of Mobile Bay and Katrina was rough. Ivan's eye passed right over us and there were times when Katrina felt very much like Ivan, just for a much shorter time period. Ivan we lost power for just a few hours..Katrina for several days.
Right now the AL/MS coast is experiencing flooding from Ike being 350 miles to our south, if that helps.
Well, I live on the Alabama coast, on the eastern shore of Mobile Bay and Katrina was rough. Ivan's eye passed right over us and there were times when Katrina felt very much like Ivan, just for a much shorter time period. Ivan we lost power for just a few hours..Katrina for several days.
Right now the AL/MS coast is experiencing flooding from Ike being 350 miles to our south, if that helps.
Bradybug, Alicia I believe came in at a Cat 3, and when it was over Kingwood it was still a cat 1, from what I remember. I think Alicia was a minimal cat 3, so its possible you could get cat 2 winds. i think some of the links have wind forcasts that you might check.
What should we expect as far as wind speed assuming a cat 3 at landfall?
Anyone with more hurricane experience have an idea?
Katrina made a real mess of the trees up in Hattiesburg, Mississippi (about an hour's drive inland from the coast). That storm is a good example, once you're out of the storm surge area - she hit with Cat 3 winds. Remember that as these storms move inland, they spawn tornadoes.
Inland storm damage depends upon how quickly the storm is moving. A fast moving storm will retain higher sustained winds and gusts further inland. A slower moving storm will have lower windspeeds inland, but will allow for greater rainfall and flood potential.
If the storm comes ashore, as predicted, with ~ 120-130 mph winds... where you are, you can expect Tropical Storm force winds...(>35 mph) continuously for more than 24 hours straight.
You will have hurricane force wind (>74 Mph) continuously for ~8 hours straight.
And, your maximum sustained winds will probably top out at ~ 100-110 MPH.
Most well constructed brick homes can withstand that... Although, you could have a little roof, fence, or other type damage. You WILL lose power... probably, for a LONG time... (at least 1 week...perhaps 1-2 weeks)
Unless you live in a mobile home, an apartment, or are surrounded by HUGE trees, or have a medical condition that leaves you unable to do without power... you're probably better off staying where you are than trying to go anywhere now.
But... you NEED to be prepared.. for NO stores... NO gas stations.. NO power...for several days.. up to a week.
I can promise you... it will be scary as hell ALL NIGHT.... the sound that wind makes is unbelievable.. and, the "not knowing" how bad it will get makes it quite a mental strain. But...you'll probably live. :-)
It is hard to predict for sure though...
The storm seems to be having some trouble getting it’s act together. Time is running out for Ike.. so, maybe he comes on ashore before getting that much stronger...
If so.. you may only lose power for a couple of hours.. or, not at all.
From where you are though... it’ll mostly be like a really bad thunderstorm that just goes on for a really long time.
One thing for sure though, you’ll have a memory and and a story that you’ll NEVER forget! :-)