Not only did the Tampa Bay area escape Wilma, but I was supposed to be in Cancun last week for our company's annual convention. It was cancelled Monday, the day before our scheduled departure. Most of the early arrivals got out before the Cancun airport closed on Thursday. However, nine people waited too long and after a very tough week in shelters, took a 10-hour bus ride to Mexico City and flew back to the United States today.
The convention was scheduled for the Ritz-Carlton which suffered extensive damage and will be closed through at least the end of the year! Worst of all, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes won't be able to be married there next month as planned.
Meanwhile, the Beta Storm is headed for Central America
Thursday, October 27, 2005
Monday, October 24, 2005
The Waiting is Over!
St. Petersburg Times Online
Here in the Tampa Bay area, no power outages, no flooding, just some small tree twigs down. School was cancelled today as a precaution. Most employers asking workers to arrive later this morning. Emergency Operations Center never really went into high gear and will close this afternoon.
Storm should be through by lunchtime followed by cold weather (by Florida standards - 50s overnight) and sunshine.
Did you see that Tropical Storm Alpha formed over the weekend near Puerto Rico? Forecasted to track north into the Atlantic Ocean with no threat posed to the US mainland.
Here in the Tampa Bay area, no power outages, no flooding, just some small tree twigs down. School was cancelled today as a precaution. Most employers asking workers to arrive later this morning. Emergency Operations Center never really went into high gear and will close this afternoon.
Storm should be through by lunchtime followed by cold weather (by Florida standards - 50s overnight) and sunshine.
Did you see that Tropical Storm Alpha formed over the weekend near Puerto Rico? Forecasted to track north into the Atlantic Ocean with no threat posed to the US mainland.
Sunday, October 23, 2005
Some Strong Wind & Rain in Tampa Bay - That's it!
Threat of a tornado through Monday afternoon, however it looks like we'll be spared from Wilma. Best of luck to South Florida who will take the brunt of the storm.
For a site with the best news from the Naples area, click here
Saturday, October 22, 2005
Friday, October 21, 2005
Thursday, October 20, 2005
SLOW then WHOA!
Wilma must have her feet out the bottom of Fred's car and has slowed down to the point where she will probably not affect Florida directly until later Saturday night or Sunday when that cold front (those of you up north will be feeling) deepens south across the Tennessee Valley and gives Wilma a big push to the Northeast.
Tropical storm-force winds extend outward up to 260 miles from the hurricane's center.
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Uncertainty!
Max Mayfield, Director of the National Huricane Center says at 4:45pm this afternoon, that they have "lower confidence than normal" with their computer models. Florida still the likely landfall target but where is a question.
Gas lines beginning to form (especially at Sam's Club where $2.56/gallon is the lowest around). Batteries and water were selling swiftly tonight. I've got much of our supplies from last season still in the garage (plastic sheeting, duck tape, tarps, and a still unopened chain saw).
Meanwhile, our cancelled business trip to Cancun looks more and more like a great decision as the storm is bound to impact the Yucatan.
This could have been me:
Wilma the strongest Atlantic hurricane EVER!
.....based on pressure. Still uncertain where in Florida she goes later this week.
Monday, October 17, 2005
Hurricane WILMA becomes RECORD SETTING 21st named storm!
My trip to Cancun has been cancelled! (seriously)
More frequent updates to follow as the Tampa Bay area gears up for its first real serious threat this season!
The BEST expert forecast analysis can be found here
Monday, October 10, 2005
One More Storm Name Left to go!
After Wilma, according to NOAA's website: "In the event that more than 21 named tropical cyclones occur in the Atlantic basin in a season, additional storms will take names from the Greek alphabet: Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and so on."
Saturday, October 08, 2005
A Storm Named VINCE & Tampa Bay
After 10 years of baseball hell in Tampa Bay that compiled the worst record in modern new team history, the ownership headed by a man named "Vince" (Namoli), was passed to Stuart Sternberg and his group of baby-boomer partners (hey I'm one too! - baby boomer not investor)this past Thursday. This was a GREAT day in Tampa Bay!
My wife says wouldn't it be bizarre if the next storm, scheduled to be called "Vince" were to hit Tampa Bay!
Hurricane Vince formed on Sunday and won't get anywhere near Florida. It may actually affect Europe. So much for the Vince theory!
Saturday, October 01, 2005
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