Hurricanes Happen!

Hurricane Season Summary through September

2011-10-01T21:30:00.000-04:00

From www.tbnweekly.com

Season summary

Hurricane season for the Atlantic basin begins June 1. On average one tropical storm forms every other year during that first month. This year, 2011, was one of those years. Tropical Storm Arlene formed June 29 and made landfall along the coast of Mexico June 30.

Three named storms formed in July – well above the long-term average of one.

Tropical Storm Bret formed July 17 off the eastern coast of Florida. The storm never came close to land, tracking north and east before disintegrating over the Atlantic Ocean July 22.

Tropical Storm Cindy from July 20 well offshore in the eastern Atlantic and was never a threat to land. It became a post-tropical storm on July 23.

Tropical Storm Don formed July 27 about 190 miles north of Cozumel Mexico. It fell apart as it came ashore the coast of Texas near Baffin Bay July 29.

August was the busiest month with a tropical depression and seven named storms, including Irene, which became the season’s first hurricane and first major hurricane.

Emily formed Aug. 1 about 50 miles west-southwest of Dominica. The storm degenerated into a tropical low Aug. 4.

Tropical Storm Franklin formed about 460 miles north-northeast of Bermuda early in the morning of Aug. 13. By end of day, the NHC announced it had lost its tropical characteristics. It was never a threat to land, remaining over the northern Atlantic Ocean.

Tropical Storm Gert formed Aug. 14 about 275 miles south-southeast of Bermuda. Two days later, Gert had degenerated into a post-tropical low.

Tropical storm Harvey formed Friday, Aug. 19, about 285 miles east-southeast of Belize City and made landfall near Dangriga Town Belize on Saturday afternoon. Maximum sustained winds were 40 mph.

Hurricane Irene formed Aug. 20 east of the Leeward Islands about 190 miles east of Dominica. Irene was the ninth named storm of the season and the first hurricane and major hurricane. It is the first to hit the United States since 2008.

Irene made landfall twice along the U.S. East Coast - first in North Carolina on Aug. 27 and again the next day in New Jersey. Irene is blamed for as many as 55 deaths and billions of dollars in damage.

Tropical Storm Jose formed Aug. 28 in the eastern Atlantic while Irene was making its way along the Atlantic Seaboard. Jose skirted to the west of Bermuda before heading off into the open waters.

Katia formed Aug. 29 about 535 miles west-southwest of the southernmost Cape Verde Islands. The NHC tracked its path until Sept. 10 when it went post-tropical about 295 miles east-southeast of Cape Race Newfoundland. Katia was the second hurricane and second major hurricane of the season. It followed a similar path to Irene, only remaining offshore, traveling through the Atlantic between the U.S. East Coast and Bermuda.

Tropical Storm Lee formed Sept. 2 south of Louisiana and made landfall over south-central Louisiana Sept. 4. Lee created problems for residents of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and the Florida Panhandle over the Labor Day weekend before moving on to bring rain and winds to residents still cleaning up from Hurricane Irene. The red flags waved on Pinellas County beaches due to rip current dangers as Lee kicked up large waves in the Gulf of Mexico. Lee was the first tropical storm to made landfall in Louisiana since Hurricane Gustav in 2008.

Maria began as Tropical Depression 14 the afternoon of Sept. 6 and became a tropical storm on Sept. 7. It was located about 1,220 miles west of the Cape Verde Islands. Maria followed a similar path to Hurricane Katia, moving offshore the U.S. East Coast and Bermuda. It became a hurricane on Sept. 15 and was a post-tropical cyclone by Sept. 16.

Nate, the 14th named storm, formed Sept. 7 in the Bay Campeche. Nate made landfall Sept. 11 along the coast of Mexico just north of Barra de Nautla.

Two storms are active now: Ophelia, which formed Sept. 20 in the central tropical Atlantic and degenerated into a remnant low on Sept 25, is now the fourth hurricane of the season, and Philippe – the season’s 16th named storm, which formed Sept. 24.

The last five names on the 2011 list are Rina, Sean, Tammy, Vince and Whitney

Hurricane season ends officially on Nov. 30.

2 Storms to Meet?

2011-09-03T16:17:00.001-04:00

I don't think it's possible, but both Katia and Lee are headed towards the a relatively imilar spot in the Northeast

11am Sat 9-3-11

Katia is predicted to turn to the North and perhaps Northeast and Lee is moving like a slug so this probably won't happen, but the current long range map makes for interesting speculation.

At least for me!

Wild Weather Explanation in 150 Seconds

2011-09-02T20:11:00.000-04:00

Text & Social Media First When Hurricane Hits

2011-09-01T06:23:00.003-04:00

This caught my eye this morning. Makes a lot of sense. The Twitter traffic from Irene shows the trend.

http://www.clickorlando.com/news/29030108/detail.html

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Hurricane Irene steered clear of Central Florida for the most part, sparing the region of not just damages but communication troubles, as well, but experts warn that families need a plan.

More than 60 percent of all phone calls are made on a cellphone, and when an earthquake shook the East Coast last week and Hurricane Irene roared ashore over the weekend, many people couldn't get through to family and friends because the networks were jammed.

To avoid these problems in the future should a natural disaster hit Central Florida, FEMA suggests emailing or texting first. While a call might not go through, a text message should.

When Hurricanes Charley, Frances and Jeanne whirled through Central Florida in 2004, sheriff's deputies and fire fighters also had problems with cellphones.

Volusia County's community information director, Dave Byron, said that it really is a problem when cellphones don't work during hurricanes .

"When you get a disaster and you're a first responder like I am and you don't have a main communication tool, that does put you at somewhat of a disadvantage," Byron said. "I do think that is a subject that those that have some control over this ought to take a look at."

Not only do networks jam, but the wind and weather affects the equipment on the towers, so should a hurricane hit Central Florida, plan ahead:

If a phone call or text message doesn't go through, use social media platforms such as Facebook or Twitter.

Consider getting a landline phone that plugs into the wall, because like cellphones, portable phones might not work during or after a hurricane.

Make an emergency plan with family and friends should all of these options fall through, such as picking a place to meet after a storm.

FEMA has a new mobile app for Android (iPhone coming soon) and a text messaging program. Here are the details.

Katia will get the attention, but I'm watching the Caribbean and Gulf

2011-08-31T07:29:00.000-04:00

While important to keep an eye in both directions, there are the makings of a storm system to the South of Florida in the Northwest Caribbean worthy of watching. See the Accuweather forecast box on the right rail of this blog.

Irene's said goodnight but there's more storms a-brewin'!

2011-08-29T19:54:00.001-04:00

TD 12 is out there in the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico is waking up.

Read all about it from Accuweather.

How many tweets did Irene generate?

2011-08-29T18:57:00.000-04:00

More than a million Twitter messages were posted about Irene. Hurricane Ike, by contrast, will be remembered in only about 10,000 Tweets.

Odd Turnabout!

2011-08-27T11:09:00.000-04:00

Coming to Florida to Escape a Hurricane. Who would have thought?

Irene- Please Be Kind!

2011-08-26T07:56:00.000-04:00

Best of luck to everyone along the East Coast! We're praying that Irene provides as Good a Night (and day) as possible!

Cuts could limit Hurricane Research

2011-07-30T07:23:00.001-04:00

From the Miami Herald

Meanwhile:

Tropical Storm Don making landfall in Texas

Only three hurricanes have struck Florida in July since 1900, but.....

2011-06-30T23:34:00.000-04:00

The three incidents include Dennis, a Category 3 when it struck near Pensacola in 2005, a Category 2 system that hit near Cocoa Beach in 1926 and a Category 1 storm that struck Central Florida in 1933.

Read the entire SunSentinel story here.

Early Tropical Disturbance in Atlantic

2011-04-24T07:42:00.000-04:00

From the Palm Beach Post and the Weather Underground:

Early tropical disturbance in Atlantic not a sign of active season, hurricane expert says

By John Nelander | Friday, April 22, 2011, 08:56 AM

The low pressure system north of Puerto Rico was still holding together Friday, but the National Hurricane Center cut its chances of tropical development. (Credit: NOAA)

It’s unusual for the National Hurricane Center to start tracking a tropical system this early in the year - hurricane season doesn’t officially begin until June 1.

But there’s no need to hit the panic button, a hurricane expert says. Early disturbances in that part of the Atlantic basin do not portend a busy season.

The NHC began discussing the system, designated 91L, on Thursday. It was still on their radar Friday morning, although forecasters had reduced the chances that the disturbance would grow into Tropical Storm Arlene, the first of the 2011 season.
Satellite images showed the swirl of clouds and storms was still holding together, though.

“It’s interesting that it’s done as well as it has, because there’s really high wind shear,” meteorologist Jeff Masters, co-founder of online weather portal Weather Underground, said in an interview Thursday. “We’re talking 70 or 80 knots when 20 is often enough to tear something apart.

“It is early to be having a tropical disturbance like this because you don’t often see that in April. But it’s definitely not a harbinger of an active season. Sings of an early season are systems that are coming off the coast of Africa, or in the Caribbean.
“You start to get a lot of early activity down there and that’s when you worry. But early activity between the Bahamas and Bermuda doesn’t really matter that much.”

On Friday, 91L was plotted at 25.3N 63W, or 496 miles south-southeast of Bermuda and 1,064 miles due east of Palm Beach. It had winds of 40 mph but had not developed into a true tropical system. It was moving to the north at about 10 mph.
But some computer models show the system - or at least moisture associated with the low - nearing the Florida coast early next week.

A Winter's Hurricane?!

2010-12-28T07:47:00.000-05:00

Wind gusts and LOW pressure is Hurricane-like in the Northeast:

Thanks to NBC's Today Show and The Weather Channel for these images

No Hurricanes in 5 Years -- but Insurance Rates Rise

2010-12-12T08:56:00.001-05:00

Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty says rates continue to climb because the state is still hurricane prone and non-hurricane losses have gone up 65 percent for insurance companies. McCarty says many of those losses come from sinkholes Read the whole story here.

12/27/10 Update: The increases have been announced.

2010 Hurricane Season Ends Today!

2010-11-30T07:12:00.001-05:00

19 Named Storms (3rd Highest on Record)
12 Hurricanes (2nd Highest on Record)
None hit the US
Last storm to affect US Mainland was Wilma, in October 2005 making it 5 years since the last major hurricane hit the mainland.

Here's the recap of the 2010 season on Wikipedia

Tropical Depression 19 Forms

2010-10-21T00:04:00.000-04:00

This one should head west but one model has it coming up into the Gulf and perhaps turning east. We'll want to keep an eye on this one as we head into the final 40 days of the 2010 Hurricane Season.

When & if it becomes a named storm it will be Richard.

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_at4+shtml/023214.shtml?5-daynl#contents

Paula grew up fast and is now deciding where to go..

2010-10-12T21:34:00.000-04:00

Hurricane Paula, the 16th named storm and 9th hurricane of the 2010 Atlantic hurricane season. Paula intensified remarkably quickly, setting a modern record for the fastest intensification from the issuance of the first advisory to hurricane strength since reliable record keeping of intensification rates of Atlantic hurricanes began in 1970 according to meteorologist Jeff Masters from the Weather Underground.

^{However, it may turn out that Paula will be recognized as intensifying from first advisory to a hurricane which would be eighteen hours, tying 2007's Hurricane Humberto, the most recent record holder.}

^{There have been six storms that accomplished this feat in 24 hours.}

^{Most models show the storm heading towards Cuba after a sideswipe of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. South Florida remains on alert, especially the Keys.}

^{Wikipedia has an entry saying this is only the 5th time we've had a storm start with the letter P. Read more about that here.}

October is the 3rd Most Active Month of Hurricane Season

2010-10-01T06:04:00.000-04:00

While September is traditionally the busiest month, and it was this year, October is also historically active. Especially in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean. The Weather Channel data shows October averages show 2 storms per year:

And here's where they have originated in the first 10 days of the month:

We're looking forward to getting past October. The season ends in 60 days, so we're only 2/3 of the way through.

Tropical Depression 16 Forms

2010-09-28T12:24:00.000-04:00

Headed North/Northeast towards east coast of Florida

Details here

15 turned into Matthew & went to Central America, but.....

2010-09-25T08:38:00.000-04:00

The next one being watched could come up through Cuba towards Florida.

Some Florida TV station weather meteorologists are suggesting keeping an eye out on a disturbance that could become a Tropical Depression and a tropical storm late next week.

Models suggest a north or north east path up towards the peninsula.

Tropical Depression 15 could be the one for Florida to watch...

2010-09-21T06:28:00.000-04:00

Watching local ABC affiliate last night, perennial correct Tampa Bay forecaster, Denis Phillips, says to keep an eye on this area of the Caribbean this week for possible Tropical Depression formation. Now that Lisa has formed in the Atlantic, right now it would be TD 15. He said that historically 95% of all Tropical storms formed in this area, travel north.

Late September and October is peak for Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean storm formation that could affect Florida.

Stay tuned.

Earl from International Space Station (photo)

2010-09-04T04:19:00.000-04:00

Where are those tropical storms?

2010-08-14T22:05:00.001-04:00

Not that I'm complaining.

Andy Johnson, meteorologist at the Fox TV affiliate in Tampa points out that there have only been 15 named storms in the entire Northern Hemisphere so far this year and it's the lowest number of tropical cyclones to date since reliable records began in 1948.

Dry air in the Atlantic seems to be the culprit coupled with the record heat wave in Russia. Good news for now, but we are only 1/3 of the way through the season and coming into the peak of the season. Andy says that long range models show things may pick up at the end of August

It's Hot Everywhere...including the Tropics

2010-08-07T14:42:00.001-04:00

Image from Accuweather

Bonnie clouding up Tampa Bay. Rain just south at lunchtime

2010-07-23T12:49:00.000-04:00

Cloudy outside my window. A little breeze. Expecting a rainy night here. Praying for favorable impact to the oil spill area along the Gulf Coast as Bonnie strengthens & heads Northwest through the Gulf.

Here comes Bonnie...

2010-07-22T12:28:00.000-04:00

Looks like Tropical Depression #3 will evolve into a Tropical Storm later today and skirt south of Tampa Bay but unfortunately headed toward the Oil Spill in the Gulf

Stuck in the middle!

2010-07-21T18:23:00.000-04:00

Tampa Bay sits in spaghetti model field as of July 21st...time to start paying attention....

The National Hurricane Center projects that "Invest 97L" has a 60-percent chance of developing into a tropical depression in the next 48 hours. Tampa Bay weather forecasters are saying this is probably mostly a rainmaker on Friday for us.

First Tropical Depression of 2010 Hurricane Season

2010-06-25T22:04:00.000-04:00

Should be Tropical Storm Alex by Saturday

Updated Long-Range Forecast from Dr. William Gray

2010-06-03T06:09:00.002-04:00

Drs. William Gray and Philip Klotzbach have updated their 2010 Atlantic Hurricane Season forecast and unfortunately increased their numbers to be more consistent with the recently released NOAA forecast.

Their chart (above) shows an approximate 20% increase in key metrics from their April forecast. Gray and Klotzbach release regular forecasts from the Colorado State University Department of Atmospheric Science

NOAA Hurricane Forecast

2010-05-27T13:57:00.000-04:00

NOAA is predicting, with 70 percent certainty, that there will be 14-23 named storms; eight to 14 of those will become hurricanes and three to seven will be major or Category 3-plus storms.

Wow!!!

10 Days to go - Do we even remember what a hurricane is like?

2010-05-22T07:21:00.001-04:00

With 10 days to go until the official start of the Atlantic hurricane season, here's an article from Friday's St. Petersburg Times, that is spot on to the psyche of people I talk to locally.

On another note, the amount of press coverage on the potential mixing of weather & oil could be overwhelming for the next couple of months. Let's just hope the season is quiet until (and if) the mess can be contained.

Meanwhile, pre-season activity has already started off the Carolina coast. Here are the details

How Hurricanes Work

2010-05-09T08:50:00.000-04:00

As the countdown to the start of the 2010 Hurricane Season is now less than 1 month, here's a quick webpage that shows How Hurricanes Work from the great website, "How Stuff Works"

2010 Atlantic Hurricane Season Forecast

2010-04-07T14:48:00.000-04:00

Dr. Philip Klotzbach and Dr. William Gray's updated forecast calls for the high end of their initial 2010 forecast issued in December, 2009:

Named Storms: 15
Hurricanes: 8
Intense Hurricanes: 4 (Category 3-4-5)

They predict that the season will be significantly more active than the average from 1950-2000

Chance of at least one major hurricane making landfall:

Entire US Coastline: 69% (average for last century is 52%)
U.S. East Coast including Florida Peninsula: 45% (average for last century is 31%)
Gulf Coast from the Florida panhandle to Brownsville: 44% (average for last century is 30%)

Hurricane Season officially starts June 1st, less than 60 days from now.

Bad Luck-Victim of 5 different natural disasters----Indicted!

2010-03-30T19:47:00.001-04:00

Desima James, 30, of Atlanta, Georgia, has been indicted by a federal grand jury on felony charges for fraudulently obtaining FEMA assistance funds intended for the victims of several different federally declared disasters. James was arraigned today before United States Magistrate Judge Alan Baverman, who set a bond hearing for Wednesday, March 31, 2010.

United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates said of the case, "In just a few months, this defendant claimed to be a victim of five different natural disasters in five different states. He is accused of filing over 30 fraudulent claims with FEMA, using different names, fake social security numbers, and various addresses to enable him to escape detection and steal over $30,000 in disaster relief that was intended for real victims. He has now been caught and will be called to answer for this extensive fraud."

"This investigation is an excellent example of a partnership between federal law enforcement agencies to bring down a nationwide fraud scheme. The Postal Inspection Service aggressively pursues all crimes using the U.S. Mail to further a fraudulent scheme, but is especially vigilant with regards to any scheme that attempts to profit from natural disasters such as these destructive hurricanes," said Martin D. Phanco, Inspector in Charge of the Atlanta Division, U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

According to United States Attorney Yates, the charges and other information presented in court: From September through December 2005, James allegedly filed over 30 fraudulent claims for disaster relief with FEMA, claiming to have been a victim of Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana, Hurricane Rita in Louisiana and Texas, Hurricane Wilma in Florida, severe storms and flooding in New Hampshire, and a tornado and severe storms in Indiana

Read More

Florida Cabinet Delays Hurricane Fund Assessments

2010-02-26T05:23:00.000-05:00

The Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund needs $710 million to continue to pay claims still coming in from 2005's Hurricane Wilma but it is going to have to wait to assess policyholders to get those funds.

The Florida Cabinet yesterday indicated it wants more of those claims investigated to make sure they are legitimate claims before authorizing the bond and raising assessments on all policyholders to pay for them.

Read more

U.S. government will begin granting loan forgiveness to cities devastated by the 2005 hurricanes

2010-01-16T15:58:00.000-05:00

Katrina & Rita disaster loans to be forgiven for cities that had operating deficits for three full fiscal years following the storms.

Hurricane warnings coming faster in 2010

2010-01-10T14:17:00.000-05:00

Computer and satellite technology has dramatically improved over the years and now the Hurricane Center says it will begin issuing storm watches and warnings about half a day sooner in the biggest change to its warning system in decades.

Here's the story.

Nine of the top 10 disasters in decade were hurricanes!

2010-01-02T09:53:00.000-05:00

They caused 255 Billion Dollars of Damage.

Good quick summary of the International Disaster Database from USAToday

The Dangers of a Quiet Hurricane Season

2009-12-23T08:25:00.000-05:00

From the New York Times today....

This is an excellent read. Living in Florida and having now gone through relatively quiet seasons (in comparison to 2004-2005) for several years, you do become complacent.

William Gray predicts 'above average' 2010 hurricane season

2009-12-10T06:06:00.001-05:00

Brace yourselves: Here comes another hurricane prediction.

An early forecast for 2010 calls for an “above-average” hurricane season, according to the Tropical Meteorology Project at Colorado State University.

The team expects 11 to 16 named storms, 6 to 8 hurricanes and 3 to 5 major hurricanes — ones with sustained winds of 111 mph or greater.

Today’s prediction marks the first time William Gray’s team at CSU has provided a range of storms in its December early season forecast. The report is the team’s 27th year of hurricane seasonal predictions.

Because the report is based on Atlantic basin conditions, the team says its forecast could change substantially by the start of the hurricane season, which runs on June 1 to Nov. 30.

Gray’s team plans to list specific numerical forecasts in its next forecast on April 7.

“The Atlantic basin has the largest year-to-year variability of any of the global tropical cyclone basins,” Phil Klotzbach, the team’s leader, said in a release.

A weakening El Nino will allow more hurricanes to form, the team predicts. El Nino is a pattern of warmer-than-usual water in the Pacific Ocean, near the equator. The pattern creates more wind shear over the Atlantic, which breaks up tropical storms as they form.
“We anticipate the current El Nino event to dissipate by the 2010 hurricane season,” Gray said in the release, “and warm sea surface temperatures are likely to continue being present in the tropical and North Atlantic during 2010 — conditions that contribute to an above-average season.”

Their forecast is based on a statistical prediction scheme that uses 58 years of “hindcast” data. Over that time period, the scheme correctly forecasted above- or below-average seasons in 44 out of 58 years, the team said.

For the 2010 Atlantic basin hurricane season, the CSU hurricane forecast team expects:

# A 64 percent chance that at least one major hurricane will make landfall on the U.S. coastline in 2010. The long-term average probability is 52 percent.

# 40 percent chance (the long-term average is 31 percent) of a major hurricane making landfall along the U.S. East Coast, including the Florida Peninsula.

# A 40 percent chance (the long-term average is 30 percent) of a major hurricane making landfall along the Gulf Coast, from the Florida Panhandle west to Brownsville.

The full report.

Hurricane Season Ends Today. Thanks El Niño!

2009-11-30T07:58:00.001-05:00

9 Named Storms, 3 Hurricanes, No Florida Landfall.

Quietest season since 1997 and now 4 years from the last named storm hit Florida (Wilma). As a matter of fact, the latest Hurricane ever to strike the United States was on this day in 1925 right near here, just south of Tampa Bay.

Here's the Tampa Tribune's recap of the 2009 Hurricane season.

60 Days Left in the 2009 Hurricane Season - Keeping our fingers crossed

2009-10-01T06:33:00.001-04:00

Focus now moves from the Atlantic to the Gulf of Mexico where late season storms tend to generate. Water temps are peaking and history shows that the west coast of Florida needs to keep its eyes pointed west for the next couple of months!

First 2010 Hurricane Forecast

2009-09-10T21:35:00.005-04:00

Update: Here's a link to Dr. Gray & Phil Klotzbach first 2010 Hurricane Forecast

Today marks the peak of the 2009 Hurricane season. So far we've had 6 of the 10 named storms predicted and 2 of the 3 Hurricanes, both major (Bill & Fred).*

Luckily they've all stayed away from the US mainland.

Ironically the Old Farmer's Almanac is out today with a prediction for a major hurricane to hit Florida in 2010.

* These are the latest forecasts from Dr. William Gray and Dr. Phil Klotzbach at the Colorado State University Tropical Meterorology Project.

Hurricanes and your vacation: What to do when a hurricane hits - Examiner.com

2009-09-07T22:19:00.002-04:00

Hurricanes and your vacation: What to do when a hurricane hits - Examiner.com: "

Examiner.com

Hurricanes and your vacation: What to do when a hurricane hits
Examiner.com
The PDF also points out that, "For an average week during hurricane season, the probability of a Florida Keys visitor needing to evacuate because of a storm ...

The New Price of Paradise

2009-09-06T02:30:00.004-04:00

This article sums up the cost the Summer of 2004's quadruple strike, which walloped wallets and nerves, had on life in Florida.

Tropical Storm Erika Forms Florida & Carolinas -- Heads Up!

2009-09-01T17:42:00.004-04:00

Here's the official storm track

Update: Erika fades due to shear.

New tropical depression expected to form this week, move toward Florida

2009-08-31T10:09:00.001-04:00

The National Hurricane Center is monitoring a broad area of low pressure far out in the Atlantic Ocean it gives a "greater than 50 percent" chance of becoming a tropical depression by Tuesday. It would be named Erika if it became a tropical storm or hurricane.

The system is located about 700 miles east of the Windward Islands, according to a 2 a.m. bulletin, and is moving northwest at about 15 mph.

Computer models run on Sunday night predict the storm continuing toward Florida and passing near Puerto Rico by this weekend, but vary widely thereafter.

From Tampabay.com

Hurricane Katrina 4th Anniversary Today

2009-08-29T07:51:00.006-04:00

Today marks the 4th Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina making landfall in New Orleans.

There's a variety of news coverage including President Obama's weekly radio address.

Hurricane Katrina born 4 years ago tonight as Depression #12

2009-08-23T21:54:00.003-04:00

Tropical Depression 12 formed an estimated 175 miles southeast of Nassau, and was moving northwest near 8 mph.

Tropical Storm Warnings were issued for the Central and Northwestern Bahamas.

The National Hurricane Center discusses the possibility of this depression becoming a hurricane and alerts Southern Florida, that a Tropical Storm or Hurricane Watch might be needed later that evening.

Is God protecting Florida from Hurricanes at Governor Crist's request?

2009-08-23T15:38:00.006-04:00

August 22, 2009

Florida Governor Charlie Crist thanks God that hurricanes have stayed away from Florida

Could it be divine intervention that's kept Florida safe from hurricanes since Gov. Charlie Crist took office?

Crist told a group of real estate agents Friday that he's had prayer notes placed in the Western Wall in Jerusalem each year and no major storms have hit Florida. Crist said he's not taking credit for the lack of storms in this hurricane-prone state.

Hurricane Bill from the International Space Station

2009-08-19T19:44:00.007-04:00

Impressive storm, impressive video! Click here

Hurricane Bill to meet President Obama on Martha's Vineyard this Sunday?

2009-08-18T15:58:00.009-04:00

One of the only portions of the United States currently in Hurricane Bill's 5-day "cone of uncertainty" is Martha's Vineyard where President Obama and family are scheduled to arrive this Sunday (August 23rd) for their summer vacation.

The 11am cone indicates that Bill could arrive at the same time!

3 Storms Projected Paths as of 8-16-09

2009-08-16T22:01:00.002-04:00

From left to right: Ana, Claudette, & Bill

2 TS + 1 TD = Time to wake up!

2009-08-16T10:35:00.009-04:00

Lulled a bit into complacency from a nearly Storm free 2008 in Florida and no named storms through first 75 days of 2009, Ana, Bill and Tropical Depression #4 greet us this Sunday morning.

Time to check the supply list and pay attention to the NHC updates every 3 hours.

Happen to be in Miami this weekend and felt the precursor to TD #4 as it swept through here Saturday. Rained nearly all day long! Not a good day to have a leaky window. TD #4 could become Claudette later today and Bill may be up to hurricane status later today or by Monday. Probably will become a major storm.

Ana finally forms!

2009-08-15T06:23:00.003-04:00

The much talked about first named storm of the season is here - well really "out there".

A tropical storm so far with 40 MPH winds. Could affect Florida by mid-week. Eyes up!

Hurricane Disaster Voyeurism Cartoon

2009-08-06T05:34:00.004-04:00

--Click to enlarge--

http://xkcd.com/611/

Philip J. Klotzbach and William M. Gray Updated Hurricane Forecast

2009-08-04T20:46:00.015-04:00

December 2008 to August 2009 Change
Named Storms 14-10 (-29%)
Named Storm Days 70-45 (-36%)
Hurricanes 7-4 (-43%)
Hurricane Days 30-18 ( -40%)
Major Hurricanes 3-2 (-33%)
Major Hurricanes Days 7-4 (-43%)

Gotta love that El Nino. The Full Report

Hurricane Forecast Updates due this week

2009-08-03T23:09:00.006-04:00

Updated forecast from Phil Klotzbach & Dr. William Gray from Colorado State University due tomorrow August 4th and NOAA's should be out later this week. No named storms thus far, but those who follow know that we are just now heading into the "real" season and there are 4 months yet to go.

Meanwhile, the Florida universities want to get in the game (and why should they let a research center at a school in Colorado get all the attention?)

And isn't only appropriate that the University of Miami ("Hurricanes") be building a $48 million research complex?!

Time Magazine 8/2/09 - Florida Looks at New Ideas for Battling Hurricanes

2009-08-02T16:37:00.008-04:00

Highlights:

Bill Gates' novel "ocean going tub" concept (to be funded by coastal residents according to the patent filing July 9th)
Use of 250,000 foreclosed homes as temporary shelters
One way evacuation plan

Nothing really new. Read it here

Looking busy!

2009-07-22T13:10:00.006-04:00

Tropical Waves, points of interest, wind shear all adding up to the 2009 season beginning to get our attention here in Florida.

Nothing definitive yet and the reports I'm reading have a low probability of any of these forming into a large enough storm to be named (for now), but the water's warm and the tropical waves are forming.

Hurray for wind shear!

UPDATED: System is headed north and should provide rain to New England. We're clear for now.

Can Bill Gates control the weather?

2009-07-18T06:31:00.001-04:00

First Wave to Watch of the Season

2009-07-17T13:43:00.004-04:00

Limited chance of this becoming anything to worry about over next 48 hours....

ZCZC MIATWOAT ALL
TTAA00 KNHC DDHHMM
TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOK
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL
200 PM EDT FRI JUL 17 2009

FOR THE NORTH ATLANTIC...CARIBBEAN SEA AND THE GULF OF MEXICO...

1. SHOWER ACTIVITY ASSOCIATED WITH A TROPICAL WAVE LOCATED ABOUT 800
MILES WEST-SOUTHWEST OF THE CAPE VERDE ISLANDS HAS BECOME A LITTLE
BETTER ORGANIZED TODAY. HOWEVER...CONDITIONS ARE ONLY MARGINALLY
FAVORABLE...AND ANY ADDITIONAL DEVELOPMENT WILL BE SLOW TO OCCUR AS
THE WAVE MOVES WESTWARD AT 15 TO 20 MPH. THERE IS A LOW CHANCE...
LESS THAN 30 PERCENT...OF THIS SYSTEM BECOMING A TROPICAL CYCLONE
DURING THE NEXT 48 HOURS.

ELSEWHERE...TROPICAL CYCLONE FORMATION IS NOT EXPECTED DURING THE
NEXT 48 HOURS.

$$
FORECASTER BRENNAN
NNNN

Five Things About Hurricanes - from NASA

2009-07-12T09:21:00.006-04:00

While this is interesting, my take away is the research goals in 2010 between NASA, their Jet Propulsion Laboratory & the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Five Things About Hurricanes
07.01.09

JPL scientist Bjorn Lambrigtsen goes on hurricane watch every June. He is part of a large effort to track hurricanes and understand what powers them.

Lambrigtsen specializes in the field of microwave instruments, which fly aboard research planes and spacecraft, penetrating through thick clouds to see the heart of a hurricane. While scientists are adept at predicting where these powerful storms will hit land, there are crucial aspects they still need to wrench from these potentially killer storms.

Here are thoughts and factoids from Lambrigtsen in the field of hurricane research.

1. Pinpointing the moment of birth
Most Atlantic hurricanes start as a collection of thunderstorms off the coast of Africa. These storm clusters move across the Atlantic, ending up in the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico or Central America. While only one in 10 of these clusters evolve into hurricanes, scientists do not yet know what triggers this powerful transformation. Pinpointing a hurricane's origin will be a major goal of a joint field campaign in 2010 between NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

2. Predicting intensity
Another focus of next year's research campaign will be learning how to better predict a storm's intensity. It is difficult for emergency personnel and the public to gauge storm preparations when they don't know if the storm will be mild or one with tremendous force. NASA's uncrewed Global Hawk will be added to the 2010 research armada. This drone airplane, which can fly for 30 straight hours, will provide an unprecedented long-duration view of hurricanes in action, giving a window into what fuels storm intensity.

3. Deadly force raining down
Think about a hurricane. You imagine high, gusting winds and pounding waves. However, one of the deadliest hurricanes in recent history was one that parked itself over Central America in October 1998 and dumped torrential rain. Even with diminished winds, rain from Hurricane Mitch reached a rate of more than 4 inches per hour. This caused catastrophic floods and landslides throughout the region.

4. Replenishing "spring"
Even though hurricanes can wreak havoc, they also carry out the important task of replenishing the freshwater supply along the Florida and southeastern U.S. coast and Gulf of Mexico. The freshwater deposited is good for the fish and the ecological environment.

5. One size doesn't fit all
Hurricanes come in a huge a variety of sizes. Massive ones can cover the entire Gulf of Mexico (about 1,000 miles across), while others are just as deadly at only 100 miles across. This is a mystery scientists are still trying to unravel.

NASA and NOAA conduct joint field campaigns to study hurricanes. The agencies use research planes to fly through and above hurricanes, and scientists collect data from NASA spacecraft that fly overhead. NOAA, along with its National Hurricane Center, is the U.S. government agency tasked with hurricane forecasting.

For more information on how NASA and JPL study hurricanes, go to www.nasa.gov/hurricane and http://tropicalcyclone.jpl.nasa.gov

No Storm - Just Rain. Month 1 done without incident....but it's early!

2009-07-01T10:02:00.005-04:00

Invest 93L never developed into anything more than a whole lotta rain crossing the Florida Peninsula yesterday and today.

This is the morning commute today in downtown Tampa.

First Spaghetti Model of the Season

2009-06-27T16:23:00.004-04:00

Disturbance near Yucatan Peninsula "Invest 93" could throw a lot of rain at Florida or Mexico ......and/or become the first named storm of the year - "Ana"

Something to watch this coming week heading into the 4th of July holiday.

Why We Need Hurricanes!!!

2009-06-14T09:39:00.002-04:00

Interesting Perspective! From the MyFoxHurricane.com Blog

The National Hurricane Center has decided to start monitoring the Southern Caribbean for development

2009-06-06T16:17:00.002-04:00

Day 2 Gift - A Lowered Forecast!

2009-06-02T21:30:00.008-04:00

Philip Klotzback & William Gray have lowered their 2009 storm forecast (pdf).

Tracking their December 2008 to April 2009 to June 2009 reports:

Named Storms 14-12-11
Hurricanes 7-6-5
Major Hurricanes 3-2-2

The possibilties of a Category 3,4, or 5 storm hitting the US coastline now 48% (compared to 52% for the last century)

The US East Coast's probability is 28% (31% for last century)

The Gulf Coast from the Florida Panhandle westward to Brownsville also 28% (30% for last century)

There is a 39% probability of at least one major storm tracking into the Caribbean compared to 42% for the last century.

My non-scientific interpretation of this reduction in their latest report is due to evolving weather conditions that will provide more upper level wind shear coupled with stronger Atlantic trade winds in April & May, both of which normally decrease the levels of hurricane activity in the Atlantic ocean. They added that sea surface temperatures are lower in the tropical Atlantic that also is less conducive to storm activity.

In a long period of more active storm seasons, this is favorable data for this year!

It's Opening Day!

2009-06-01T21:23:00.000-04:00

On the first day of the 2009 Hurricane Season and the eve of their June 2nd Seasonal Update, here is Dr. William Gray and Phil Klotzbach's presentation from the Florida Governor's Hurricane Conference delivered May 14th in Ft. Lauderdale. While there are quite a few technical slides and no audio, there are some pretty straight-forward and obvious slides, such as this one:

My take away from this presentation, which is based on historical data and their April predictions, is that we are looking at an average to slightly above average Hurricane season, based on the lower image. 54% probability of at least one major (Cat 3-4-5) hurricane landfall somewhere on the U.S. coastline (compared to 52% average for the last century). Florida is at a 32% probability (31% for the last century).

Tomorrow we get their updated Seasonal Forecast. Find out more at the Colorado State University Tropical Meteorology Project website.

"Hurricanes cost geometrically more than they did decades ago"

2009-05-31T22:07:00.008-04:00

Scary piece from the Palm Beach Post. Excerpts.........

The start of the season finds Florida's insurance market in a "fragile" state, an analysis by Fitch Ratings concludes. The largest remaining private insurer, State Farm, has threatened to leave within two years. The state-run insurer of last resort, Citizens, is the biggest player by some measures. The state's catastrophe fund, a backup to the insurance market, stands at least $9.5 billion short of being able to cover its maximum repayment obligations, Fitch figures.

Part of the trouble is hurricanes cost geometrically more than they did decades ago. Florida's population has grown more than 500 percent since 1950 to more than 18 million.

"The hurricanes haven't changed much," Chris Landsea, science and operations officer at the National Hurricane Center, said in a recent meeting in West Palm Beach. "We just have a lot more people in the way."

"If a major hurricane strikes Florida this season, we all pay!"

A strong reminder on the eve of the season's start!

Surf's up. Ana is that you?

2009-05-28T20:19:00.005-04:00

As in the past 2 years, there's activity occurring before the official start of Hurricane Season on Monday. The low off the Carolina coast that was suspect this week has become Tropical Depression #1. Moving up the eastern seaboard, but well off shore, it's a race between intensifying into a named storm ("Ana") or fizzling out in the colder waters of the Atlantic.

Otherwise, looks like good surfin' conditions along the Atlantic Seaboard

And here in Florida, Hurricane Preparedness Week continues.

Progress Energy to use Twitter for hurricane season power updates

2009-05-25T14:54:00.002-04:00

Here's the Press Release & News Coverage.

Presumably you'll need to keep your laptop or mobile device charged to get the updates.

Follow me on Twitter

Countdown to the Season

2009-05-23T04:40:00.011-04:00

Memorial Day Weekend in Florida is typically when the news media intensifies its coverage of the upcoming Hurricane Season. With 10 days to go the TV specials, special newspaper sections and "hurricane survival" preparation chatter reaches its pre-season pinnacle. For good reason.

This year's state-wide theme is: "Get a Plan"

In past years, this coming week (or the first week of June) would also be the time when the "tax holiday" would begin offering Floridians the opportunity to buy specific storm related items without paying sales tax. This would be a noticeable savings on large items such as generators or if you stocked up on large quantities of batteries, flashlights, tarps, coolers, plywood & the like. Not this year -- due to the state's recession-impacted operating budget. I know in my case that I am pretty well stocked from previous years so the tax savings wouldn't have been material for me. Here's the official list of items suggested to have on hand.

In some past years - and this year - we've had pre-season rainstorms that have provided us with much needed rainfall and put enough moisture on the ground to start the "rainy season" that typically runs parallel to Hurricane Season. Rainy season is what Florida is stereotypically known for - usually brief but intense afternoon thundershowers brought on by the day's heating and the clashing of sea breezes across the peninsula.

We've had a near record-setting 11 straight days of rain in the Tampa Bay area which has been sorely needed to refill our resevoirs & aquifer as well as get our brown grass to start growing again. Rain has been heavy enough in some counties that the Governor has declared a state of emergency in 11 Florida counties mostly in the Orlando area. It's expected to rain throughout the Memorial Day weekend and gradually begin to dry up a bit next week leading up to the June 1st kickoff.

This year's pre-season event even got to the point where weather forecasters thought it COULD turn into a named (Ana) "subtropical" storm as the weather system moved northwest across the state. This morning they are still keeping an eye on the system as it heads into the gulf and towards the Florida panhandle, but the odds are low that it will more than a soaking rain event. The past 2 years have brought about "named" storms prior to the June 1st:

2007: Andrea - Subtropical storm May 6-14 with wind up to 65 MPH
2008: Arthur - Tropical storm May 31-June 2 with wind up to 40 MPH

Memorial Day and pre-(Hurricane) season rain - it's a new Florida tradition!

"Florida has created a fragile, unstable insurance market that leaves Florida homeowners and taxpayers in grave financial risk."

2009-05-17T09:02:00.005-04:00

a quote from Florida Association of Insurance Agents' President, Jeff Grady in today's Gainesville Sun editorial.

Changes to the "Cone of Uncertainty"

2009-05-12T22:21:00.005-04:00

From the Governor's Hurricane Conference in Fort. Lauderdale today, it was announced that due to better forecasting capabilities, the storm path cone, known as the "cone of uncertainty" is going to shrink. The cone is used to depict the projected area where the eye of a storm has a two-thirds chance of passing, based on five years of error analysis.

Because predictions are getting better, the circles that make up the cone can shrink, said the National Hurricane Center's Robbie Berg

The straight black line that usually runs through the cone, connecting the dots where the storm is projected to travel, will also disappear. Berg said the center is removing the line because people often mistake it as a landfall prediction.

Here in Florida we are constantly reminded not to focus on the black line but rather watch the width and direction of the cone.

In addition, the process for predicting storm surge will be modified with more emphasis on the size of the storm, not just the category.

More details on Florida's Insurance Rates going up

2009-05-10T20:32:00.009-04:00

While Governor Crist hasn't YET signed it, details of the insurance regulation bill are available. Here are the highlights:

Citizens Property Insurance can aise rates a maximum of 10 percent annually until its rates are actuarially sound.
Increases rates 1 percent each year to recover the cost of extra payments to the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund, required for rapid reserve build-up.
Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund
Reduces coverage sold by $2 billion over the next six years.
Implements a rapid reserve build-up program over the next five years. Insurers will pay additional premiums each year.
Allows small insurers to purchase additional coverage from the CAT Fund.
Allows private insurers to pass on up to 10 percent of their reinsurance costs to policyholders through expedited rate filings.
Prohibits insurers from raising rates and then filing the required paperwork with state regulators until Dec. 31, 2010.

Here's the full story from the Miami Herald.

I don't believe this news has fully reached the over 1 million Citizen's Insurance customers in the state as well as everyone else here that will face higher rates partly due to the hurricane activity in 2004-5 and to protect the state's emergency Hurricane Catastrophe Fund in the future.

Wait till Charlie signs the legislation and watch for the fireworks! This won't be good.

Higher Property Insurance Rates for Florida coming just in time for Hurricane Season

2009-05-03T19:04:00.007-04:00

In an effort to shore up the state's Hurricane disaster fund, homeowners throughout the state may be facing higher property-insurance bills. The measure, which easily passed both State chambers, would increase rates for customers of the state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp. by 10 percent a year. Also, customers of private insurance companies likely will see rate hikes, though the amounts could vary.

The bill is sitting on Governor Charlie Crist's desk as the week begins.

Hurricane Season starts in less than 30 days.

Florida's Emergency Management Director headed for FEMA chief confirmation

2009-04-29T17:22:00.002-04:00

Craig Fugate, President Obama’s nominee to head FEMA, sailed through his confirmation hearing Wednesday before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and made strong assurances on Hurricane Katrina recovery and the future of the disaster response agency.

I'd say he's qualified:

As Florida’s emergency management chief since 2001, Fugate has responded to eight major hurricanes. A certified firefighter and paramedic, he also spent 10 years as a local emergency manager in Alachua County, Florida. He has managed the response to 11 federal disasters, 23 state emergencies and has overseen more than $4.5 billion in federal disaster assistance.

Good News?

2009-04-18T18:03:00.005-04:00

Headlines this week in Florida were that due to the loosening of the credit markets, the State would have the ability to bond an additional $5 billion, if needed, giving us $8 billion for the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund.

The fund was established after Hurricane Andrew in 1992, to back up insurers in the event of a particularly devastating hurricane, or a quick succession of smaller ones. It now has an exposure of more than $28 billion with less than $8 billion on hand to pay claims.

Here's the round up of news coverage (although most of it says the same thing)

Ironically, Governor Charlie Crist found out about this via telephone as his trip to the state capital in Tallahassee was delayed due to Tornado warnings near his home in St. Petersburg, FL.

2009 Hurricane Forecast Lowered

2009-04-07T14:55:00.005-04:00

Colorado State University forecasters Phil Klotzbach and Dr. William Gray cite cooler Atlantic Ocean temperatures and weak El Nino developing in the Pacific Ocean.

	December forecast	April update	Normal (based on 1950-2000 data)
Named storms	14	12	10
Hurricanes	7	6	6
Hurricane days	30	25	24
Intense hurricanes	2	3	2
Intense hurricane days	7	5	5
Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE)	125	100	96

Read the details in here

A Second Disaster hits Homestead

2009-04-05T21:14:00.002-04:00

17 years after Hurricane Andrew, another disaster has hit Homestead, Florida. Over 2200 homes in foreclosure since October due to overbuilding & speculators - Story

Global and Northern Hemisphere Tropical Cyclone Activity [still] lowest in 30-years...but...

2009-03-14T06:43:00.004-04:00

Florida State University PHD Student, Ryan Maue, shows activity is down but La Nina threatens Atlantic Season (again) in 2009

National Hurricane Center to Provide Video Streaming

2009-02-03T14:35:00.003-05:00

Press Release

Under the agreement, AEN's pioneering Internet- and satellite-based service will distribute live-video storm updates by National Hurricane Center forecasters during U.S. landfalling hurricanes and when other events warrant.

These crucial video briefings by the nation's leading experts will be available to anyone with an Internet connection -- without charge, in real time and in their entirety via media websites that subscribe to the AEN network.

Digital Transition To Darken Most Portable TVs

2009-01-11T07:48:00.003-05:00

With no electricity (say in the case of a hurricane), no cable TV, no Internet and the digital converter boxes for old analog TVs won't work. Battery powered digital TVs are in short supply and appear not to work very well.

Threw away my old 6 inch battery powered analog TV this weekend.

Looks like an opportunity for local radio!

Last Day of Hurricane Season 2008!

2008-11-30T16:40:00.004-05:00

Goodbye Fay, Gustav, Hanna & Ike. It was an action packed August & September with these 4 storms dancing mostly around Florida although Fay made landfall a record setting four different times.

Florida Avoids Hurricanes AGAIN!!

2008-11-28T19:02:00.002-05:00

Here's a recap of the 2008 season, by the numbers:

16 – Named storms

8 – Hurricanes

7 – Tropical storms

1 – Sub-tropical storm

5 – Category 3 or stronger hurricanes

$27.8 million – Federal Emergency Management aid in Florida for damage from Tropical Storm Fay

27.65 inches – Most rain recorded from Tropical Storm Fay, 8 miles northwest of Melbourne

0.72 inches – Rain recorded at Tampa International Airport from Tropical Storm Fay

4 – Number of times Tropical Storm Fay made landfall in Florida

18 – Days Hurricane Bertha lasted, the longest-lived July hurricane on record

3 – Consecutive seasons since Florida has been hit by a hurricane

Tracks of the 2008 Hurricane Season

2008-11-19T23:19:00.005-05:00

Days to go before the end of the 2008 season. Here's how the season played out.

We were supposed to be on Grand Cayman this weekend!

2008-11-08T10:54:00.002-05:00

Here's what we are missing click here

On-going news on Paloma.

Our company has a good track record of planning Conventions that predict Hurricane movement. Two years ago we were scheduled for Cancun when Wilma came through.

Want to know where to avoid next year? Keep checking back. I'll let you know where our next convention is scheduled!

:-)

Tropical disturbance brewing in the Caribbean

2008-11-05T11:05:00.002-05:00

Tropical disturbance brewing in the Caribbean: "Tropical disturbance brewing in the Caribbean
> Posted by Ken Kaye at 7:24 AM

Here it is, early November, a time when we should be formulating Thanksgiving plans, savoring the cooler weather and, of course, celebrating the historic election of Barack Obama.

Yet, at least in this small corner of the world, we’re still keeping an eye on a tropical system.

The same disturbance that’s been lingering in the Caribbean near the border of Honduras and Nicaragua for the past couple of days is getting better organized.

The National Hurricane Center gives it a high chance of developing into a tropical depression or a tropical storm within the next day. A hurricane hunter aircraft is scheduled to investigate it this afternoon.

For now, the system does not appear to be a threat to Florida. Most computer models project it will pass south of the state as it moves northeast.

Those projections could change, however, if it develops a closed circulation. So we’ll continue to keep an eye on it."

Storms strengthening south and east of Florida

2008-10-13T22:42:00.001-04:00

Storms off Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic are expected to strengthen in the next 48 hours, with at least one projected to become a hurricane, but neither is pointed toward Florida at the moment.

TS Marco in Mexico

2008-10-06T20:59:00.004-04:00

Whew....read my text message alert incorrectly this afternoon. Missed the "no" in "Marco forms off Mexico Coast, no threat to Florida". After a few minutes of concern while driving home in an unrelated pouring rain storm this afternoon, I checked a couple of websites and realized my error.

Less than 2 months to go in the season and we're headed into the time when the Gulf of Mexico is most active.

BTW, Congratulations Rays! 3 games to 1 winners over the White Sox in ALDS.

Kyle is Born!

2008-09-25T17:52:00.003-04:00

Kyle formed this afternoon. Headed Due North.

Carolinas - Keep an eye on the tropics next 48 hours

2008-09-22T19:22:00.001-04:00

Kyle may be brewing

Ike Photos & Video

2008-09-13T18:20:00.002-04:00

Photos

Video

Galveston Island Flooding & Fires viewed from a Coast Guard HU-25 Falcon Jet

In Galveston, at least 17 structures had been leveled, officials said, 10 due to fire. The destruction included the Balinese Room a landmark former speakeasy and casino on a wooden pier extending 600 feet out into the gulf. In its 1940s heyday, the Balinese Room had seen shows by Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope and the Marx Brothers.

Ike Headed Towards Mission Control?

2008-09-12T22:01:00.004-04:00

From Gannett Newspaper's FloridaToday.com

Ike from the Space Station

Galveston Hurricane of 1900

Links to follow Hurricane Ike -- coverage from the storm...

2008-09-12T18:48:00.007-04:00

Hurricane Ike continuing coverage on: Twitter

Continuing live coverage from Austin-American Statesman reporters on the ground in Houston ---including live video from their car at 7pm EDT

More Ike tweets from Twitter

Houston Chronicle Tropical Weather Blog

User submitted photos from Galveston Wow!

Hurricane Free Florida - Texas Top Target Historically

2008-09-11T22:29:00.003-04:00

First weekly Governor Crist press conference IN WEEKS without having to start by talking about a hurricane!

Fay & Hanna soaked and swiped; Gustav and Ike came around the bend and up into the Gulf.

Our best wishes to those in the path of Ike, a Texas-sized storm! Here's an interesting history of Tropical activity in Texas

Some highlights:

In 2001, Tropical Storm Allison — not even a hurricane — stalled out and dumped nearly 37 inches of rain on the Port of Houston over a five-day period, according to the National Weather Service. It killed 22 people and was the costliest natural disaster in Houston's history.

In 1983, Hurricane Alicia killed 21 Texans. Wind gusts of hurricane force in downtown Houston littered the streets with broken glass as windows broke in tall buildings.

In 1961, massive Hurricane Carla whipped up peak winds of 175 mph. Only 46 Texas residents died, largely because about 250,000 people had evacuated.

A 1919 hurricane came ashore south of Corpus Christi as a Category 3 on Sept. 14. The death toll is estimated at between 600 and 900 people, including more than 500 lost on ten ships that sunk or were reported missing.

Between 1900 and 2004, Florida was hit by a total of 64 hurricanes, Texas absorbed 38, and North Carolina took the brunt of 29.

Hanna Passes; Ike Looms

2008-09-05T18:46:00.008-04:00

Hanna's outer band rain didn't quite make it to Tampa Bay today as was a possibility, marking the third storm this season that passed by us without much impact. We had a partly sunny day here with a nice breeze from the east.

However, Ike is our focus this weekend as we watch the "cone of uncertainty" continue to evolve. The latest advisory has the center of the cone continuing to move west into the Gulf of Mexico and curling north past Florida.

I would expect that Sunday will be the day of decision based on where Ike is and the forecasts. I'm supposed to travel to Virginia & Philly Tuesday/Wednesday but I'll be making a last minute decision on Monday depending.

Ike - Yikes!

2008-09-02T23:49:00.004-04:00

Just watched, who I would call Tampa Bay's most accurate tropical storm analyst, ABC Action News (WFTS -28) Chief Meteorologist Denis Phillips, predict that Hanna will brush the east coast of Florida, not be well organized, and just throw some rain at us Thursday night into Friday here on the far west coast of Florida. The east coast would get much more of the impact of storm unless the path changes dramatically.

Governor Crist has declared a state of emergency ahead of Hanna.

He says that Ike's the one to watch as it is relatively small and compact, the same way Andrew was 10 years ago when it was a week out like Ike is.

Oh yeah, then there is Josephine.....

Gustav, Hanna, & Ike Displayed on a Google Maps Mashup

2008-09-01T21:39:00.004-04:00

Very Cool representation of Mother Nature's current triple play from Weather Underground

Meanwhile a beautiful day in Tampa Bay today with just enough breeze to cool and reasonably active surf that brought out the boogie boards, surfers, and sightseers. Overnight, rain subsided but rough waters in Tampa Bay caused some splashing of salt water over intercoastal sea walls on Clearwater Beach.