Hurricane Isabel - Confirmed Category 5 by Aircraft

NWS ^

[dixie sass]

Hey Kayak, Looks like we are going to get wet either way!!!

[hoosierpearl]

The hurricane that hit us in 1999, all the projections and tracking was wrong.
The authorities could not make up their minds whether people should evacuate or not, or whether to open up shelters or not. As a result confusion. People should have evacuated and few did, and if you decided late there was no place to go.
We ended up in a shelter, it was supposed to hit the neighboring state. I woke up in the middle of the night in the shelter and went to talk to a policeman in the hall. I said, "Has it made landfall yet?"
He said "Yes"
I said "Where?"
He said "Here."
You cannot depend on any of the projections that they make. It could stall for a couple of days, then slam straight at Florida. Or veer north. Anything can happen.

[billbears]

Now that is a beyond awesome picture. And to think Isabel could be bigger and stronger

[let freedom sing]

Carolinas, here it comes!!

[nwctwx]

The model I posted an image from was the "European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts" or (ECMWF)... It is a medium to long range model which can be found here.

http://www.ecmwf.int/

[dixie sass]

The closest storm track is Able in 1952. Almost an exact duplicate.

[dixie sass]

Can you imagine what is going to happen to the construction on the new, new, new bridge?

[dixie sass]

We have both here in Charleston. The last major quake was in 1886 (I think that's the correct date). Last one I felt was just over a 4.0.

[dixie sass]

Sure! Come on over! I was looking at the various links and this storm is following the one of Hurricane Able in 1952. Almost inch for inch...

Party down!!!

[dixie sass]

I've got to get down to the neck and take some pictures of the old bridge and the old new bridge before the skyline is totally ruined. Especially a picture that shows the Ashley River at the same time that you are looking out over the Cooper River.

The new, new old bridge in North Charleston is wonderful to drive over. The scenery is spectacular!!!!

I wonder what it's going to be like to drive over the new, new, new Cooper River Bridge!

lol.

[dixie sass]

Having seen what happened with Hugo and Andrew, the best advice I can give anyone is get out. If there is the slightest chance - get out. Luckily they have revamped the escape routes around here, I don't know if it will help, but every major road will become one way out of the area.

The majority of people believe that the hurricane stops at the coast. I hope that they have learned over the past few years that they don't. Hugo cut a swath through 13 states before going back out to sea. We were without electricity for weeks after. Food was at a premium. Water was gold.

This is the time of the year when I buy very few items for the frig or the freezer. Having grown up in this part of the country, you learn - sometimes the hard way.

I do wish that people would listen to those of us who grew up on the coast and have made it through hurricanes. They are scary. Everything that nature has is in those storms!

[dixie sass]

If you wait till the time that the authorities say go, you stand a chance of having what happened during the last major evacuation - chaos, because everyone is waiting for the authorities to say leave. That is the receipt for major highway traffice jams. Thousands of people trying to leave at the same time. All heading out in one direction...

[Spirited]

"For real Breaking News..."

Know what? You go to Jerusalem. This news is vital to those of us all up and down the east coast. Don't like it? Sneeze!

We desperately need these updates to continue AND IT IS BREAKING FOR/TO US! You too, if you consider the economic implications of a hurricane on top of the water levels we already have at this time on this coast.

[dixie sass]

Hugo was September 21, 1989. I was working at the Weapons Station in Goose Creek. We were not let go until 12:30 - 1:00pm.

That is a day that I will never forget. Even though I am twenty-five miles from the coast, we had such devastation in Summerville...

There were two incidents were my terror rose to the surface - the first was when I heard this - This is not a drill - this is the Civil Defense Network - This is not a drill - absolute terror. Then I settled into emergency mode and did what needed to be done. The second time was at midnight when my brother called and told me the eye was over Charleston Harbour and then the deathly quiet that follows when the eye is over you. Then the worst part of the storm, the backside hits.

The next morning I walked outside and couldn't recognize my little town. I couldn't climb over the trees that were down, they were so big around that you had to crawl under or walk around. Have you ever walked into a soldier carrying a M16 (or whatever)? I have, it scared the sh__ out of me. It took me an hour to find my church.

We were without electricity for weeks and I lived downtown. The President (Bush,Sr) visited Summerville 'cause he couldn't have the protection he needed in Charleston.

I am shaking right now remembering that night. Thank GOD my parents had taught my siblings and I what to do before and during a hurricane.

[general_re]

I know. I'm trying to walk a fine line here - I don't want to be accused of fear-mongering, and I don't want people to be overly complacent either. Anyway, I give up - leave if you want. Or don't. Don't ask me ;)

[dixie sass]

Yep, in March. The Nor'easter that struck in March.

[kayak]

Yikes! Able ended up coming over Charlotte. We don't need or want Isabel here. We've already had way too much rain this year ... we don't even need a feeble tropical storm.

Btw, if anyone watched Storm Stories on TWC tonight .... where that couple was rescued after going over the dam is just a few miles from my house. I go right by there every day going to our office in Charlotte. And just about all spring and summer, the water has stayed that high and that turbulent.

Btw, not everyone from around here talks like the people in that segment. Just so you'll know. Plenty do .... but not most.

[dixie sass]

Is that you? Is that really you? Are you going to CPAC next year?

[Spirited]

Suggest you pray. We will join you.

[dixie sass]

Was that in March? Where was it taken?