3rd Storm of Season now official

Headed the right direction......up up and away!

Bermuda issues tropical storm warning

HAMILTON, Bermuda (AP) -- Bermuda is preparing for heavy rains and wind this weekend as Hurricane Bertha churned slowly across the Atlantic.

The Bermuda Weather Service issued a tropical storm warning Saturday morning and the outer bands of Bertha threatened to sideswipe the island on Sunday.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center said the Category 1 hurricane was chugging north at about 2 mph (4 kmh). The storm remained mostly stationary on Saturday, and even forecasters hit a lull: "After a week or so ... I am running out of things to say about Bertha," read one official report.

Surf's Up!

....on east coast of Florida. Big Bertha stalls east of Bermuda but many are headed to beaches from Jacksonville to Miami.

Anticipating a Turn

Accuweather says Bertha may further strengthen but eventually turn north and weaken or perhaps even stall....

But then there are those who hope Bertha comes a bit closer to the mainland.

Bertha expected to become Hurricane

Warmer water will trump wind sheer and previously expected turn North timeline is now unknown. Anticipate the media beginning to pay closer attention to Bertha by mid-week.

Bertha Born

Off the coast of Africa. Headed for nowhere. Hurricane-starved Florida local news makes it lead story despite distance away and no threat to US. It does set a record as the earliest tropical storm to form that far East in the Atlantic. Typically Africa spawns storms starting in August. Having one this early in the season could be a bad sign!

The last Bertha was in 1996 and hit North Carolina.

All quiet on the Western (Coast of Florida) Front

More moisture is building in the Gulf and we've finally had some substantial rain over past 10 days. Lawn is happy.

Meanwhile the state's insurance of last resort that many of us a counting on is increasing it's war chest: Florida's Citizens Secures $1.75 Billion for its High Risk Account

Katrina: We now know what we don't know

Interesting Wired Magazine article. Watch for release of the report this week.

Gift for me?

Now that Hurricane Season has officially begun, if you're thinking about purchasing a random gift for me, consider my Hurricane Registry (I'd even find a re-gifting of these items acceptable):


Cooking

Sterno
Portable camp stove or grill
Stove fuel or charcoal, lighter fluid
Aluminum foil
Oven mitts

Non-Perishable Foods*

Canned meats, fruits, vegetables
Bread in moisture-proof packaging
Cookies, candy, dried fruit
Canned soups & milk
Powdered or single serve drinks
Cereal bars
Condiments
Peanut butter & jelly
Instant coffee & tea

Equipment & Other Items

Manual can opener*
Disposable plates, cups & eating utensils
Napkins & paper towels
Flashlight* (one per person)
Portable battery powered lanterns
Glass enclosed candles (only for use after the storm)
Battery powered radio or TV
Battery operated alarm clock
Extra batteries, including hearing aids
Ice chest & ice
First aid kit, including aspirin, antibiotic cream & antacids
Mosquito repellent
Sun screen (SPF 45 recommended)
Waterproof matches/butane lighter
Money*
Bleach or water purification tablets
Maps of the area with landmarks

Babies

Disposable diapers & moist towelettes*
Formula, food & medication*

Documents

Photo copies of prescriptions*
Photo identification*
Proof of residence (utility bills)*
Medical history*
Waterproof container for document storage
Back up discs of your home computer files
Camera & film

Other Necessities

Tools: hammer, wrenches, screw drivers, nails, saw
Trash bags (lots of them)
Cleaning supplies
Plastic drop cloth
Mosquito netting
ABC rated fire extinguisher
Duct tape or strong masking tape for emergency repairs (not to tape windows)
Outdoor extension cords
Spray paint
Rope

Personal Supplies

Prescriptions* (1 month supply)
Toilet paper
Soap, shampoo & detergent
Toiletries & feminine hygiene products*
Changes of clothing*
Extra glasses or contacts
Bedding: pillows, sleeping bag*
Rain ponchos & work gloves
Entertainment: books, magazines, card games, etc.*

Pets

Dry & canned food
Water (half gallon per day)
Litter box supplies

Water
One gallon of water per person per day (half for drinking, half for bathing) Store water in clean, plastic containers such as soft drink bottles or milk jugs.

Have TWO WEEKS supply of each item for each person in your home.

Do the 1000+ Tornadoes this spring forecast an active Hurricane Season?

With Hurricane season starting up this Saturday, its time to blow the dust off this blog and wind up the keystrokes for another season of "As the Wind Blows"

I sit here tonight watching the local weather on our Fox affiliate , they were saying there have been more than 1100 tornadoes so far this year ("unofficially") and that there may be a tie between an active Tornado season and an active Hurricane season.

Just what you want to hear before bed.

Apparently that old girl, La Nina, creates an active jet stream that can create both types of storms.

The prediction for this season is more active than normal but comparable to last year's with 6 to 9 named storms. Check back from time to time for updates from Florida.