Irma

[The emperor has no clothes]

You know what's disappointing about this?  People have had a bunch of warning and yet they think they can ride this out.  I understand the "why" the stay, but common sense should say, Get Out. These are the people that will become victims and have no one to blame. Sad!      they not only endanger their own lives but the people that will attempt rescue.

I hope all our friends in harms way get out. But if they choose to ride it out, I understand. The ones I'm concerned for are the poor and old with no way or money to go.

[Rams]

You know what's disappointing about this?  People have had a bunch of warning and yet they think they can ride this out.  I understand the "why" the stay, but common sense should say, Get Out. These are the people that will become victims and have no one to blame. Sad!      they not only endanger their own lives but the people that will attempt rescue.

I hope all our friends in harms way get out. But if they choose to ride it out, I understand. The ones I'm concerned for are the poor and old with no way or money to go.

Emergency Management is offering help to those who have issues getting out.   Anyone who decides to stick it out has to live or die with their decision.    I have several friends and a few relatives that live in the direct anticipated path of Irma.   They have been made aware that I have room for them.
Only charging a small bed and breakfast fee.     

Everyone of them has decided to ride it out.   I hope all will be safe but, we are all responsible for our own decisions.   Second guessing them is not on my agenda but, I know that I would at least make sure my loved ones were in a safe place.   It is, what it is.

[baldo]

I heard a remark on the weather that this storm was large enough to have storm surge on BOTH sides of FL at the same time.

If this is an accurate depiction, God help anyone in it's path....(and I'm not a God kind of guy). We have more than a few members down that way. I'm thinking best thoughts for all of them.

[Serk]

If this is an accurate depiction

I decided to fact check the image, and it appears legit... Found this quote prescient:

"Irma's hurricane-force wind-field is roughly the size of Massachusetts"

http://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/hurricane-irma-size-comparison-with-hurricane-andrew-9656867

[Jess from VA]

Ammo, is the same thing as guns for 2d Amendment purposes, and the law is patently unconstitutional.... emergency or not.

And think about it.  For every looter/potential perp looking for ammo/firearms, there would be a hundred law abiding citizens looking for them.  Waiting till an emergency to buy (need) ammo/firearms is stupid, but that doesn't make the law less unconstitutional.  The only up side on this is not arming total firearm noobs and nitwits (you'll shoot your own foot).  Of course the 2d amendment does not have a training requirement.  

I started stocking up 40 years ago, so I'll never have to run to the store.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I heard a remark on the weather that this storm was large enough to have storm surge on BOTH sides of FL at the same time.

If this is an accurate depiction, God help anyone in it's path....(and I'm not a God kind of guy). We have more than a few members down that way. I'm thinking best thoughts for all of them.

As I understand it, it is accurate. Many things can change between now and the time it hits land though. It's striking how far they have come in predicting these things. When I was a kid and we got hit with one, I think we had one days notice. They would fly planes out in the Gulf checking it.

[Serk]

They would fly planes out in the Gulf checking it.

They still do... I would pay dearly to be on one of those flights too!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tVcl0D2YFs

[baldo]

They would fly planes out in the Gulf checking it.

They still do... I would pay dearly to be on one of those flights too!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tVcl0D2YFs

Industrial sized stones on those guys (and girls) to fly into those monster storms. I can't imagine the stress on the wing attach points. They must be in constant inspection intervals....and what about water ingestion?

[The emperor has no clothes]

They would fly planes out in the Gulf checking it.

They still do... I would pay dearly to be on one of those flights too!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tVcl0D2YFs

I didn't know that. I figured they gave that up years ago. You couldn't pay me enough to fly into a hurricane.  

[3fan4life]

They would fly planes out in the Gulf checking it.

They still do... I would pay dearly to be on one of those flights too!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tVcl0D2YFs

I didn't know that. I figured they gave that up years ago. You couldn't pay me enough to fly into a hurricane.  

I think that it would be one hell of a ride! 

[scooperhsd]

They would fly planes out in the Gulf checking it.

They still do... I would pay dearly to be on one of those flights too!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tVcl0D2YFs

I didn't know that. I figured they gave that up years ago. You couldn't pay me enough to fly into a hurricane.  

I think that it would be one hell of a ride! 

We had a friend who DID fly with the Hurricane Hunters.

Let's just says it could be "a little rough".

[Jess from VA]

I've been in some real bad weather (Med) in C141, C130, C9, C12 (all USAF), and you can have it.  Far worse than 9g's in an F16B on a nice day (that is fun excitement).

I do not get motion sickness, but when everyone else is puking their guts out and turning green (actually green) (fear and sickness), you are not having a good time.  The plane constantly dropping like a rock for a few seconds, over and over.  (like a runaway elevator)

Reminds me of one time on a carnival ride called the Roundup.  Five (exceedingly beered up) guys puked, and everyone on the ride got to wear it.  They didn't stop the ride either,  just on and on.  Just like on a plane.

[bassman]

WOW !  That brings back some memories !...YEARS ago while stationed in Naples, Italy we would go to the local carnival that had one of these rides in it.  Always had a good time riding it EXCEPT when the fleet was in (Naples - home of the 6th Fleet).  The ride operators would ALWAYS run the ride much longer than scheduled when the drunken sailors on shore leave were on.  It was there way of getting back at the sailors who were being overly friendly, forward, rude or out of place with the local Italian teenage girls.  We all knew better than to get on the ride at that time because we did not want to "wear" it.  

[J.Mencalice]

Looking at this as a naturally occurring event, we know that these storms have been happening for a few thousand years before the advent of man on the mainland of North America.

It is merely a renewal/rejuvenation of the wetland character of the land that has always existed there; the presence of people and their trappings is of no concern to mother earth.

Sweeping away the flotsam and jetsam that continually wash up on both sides of the coasts; sweeping the land of the excess and rejuvenating the ecology is the function of this hurricane.   No matter where we humans have planted our heels, nature merely sweeps us aside as we are a part of excess in her eyes.

A week ago we marveled at the total eclipse.  Same thing today, but instead with a big wind.                              

Maybe it's just that time again.

[RP#62]

Wow Floridians, ya'll need to get this BS law changed!



870.044 Automatic emergency measures.—Whenever the public official declares that a state of emergency exists, pursuant to s. 870.043, the following acts shall be prohibited during the period of said emergency throughout the jurisdiction:
(1) The sale of, or offer to sell, with or without consideration, any ammunition or gun or other firearm of any size or description.
(2) The intentional display, after the emergency is declared, by or in any store or shop of any ammunition or gun or other firearm of any size or description.
(3) The intentional possession in a public place of a firearm by any person, except a duly authorized law enforcement official or person in military service acting in the official performance of her or his duty.
Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed to authorize the seizure, taking, or confiscation of firearms that are lawfully possessed, unless a person is engaged in a criminal act.

Reference - http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0800-0899/0870/Sections/0870.044.html

Yup.  We lived in Miami during the riots in the early 80's a couple of blocks outside of the curfew zone.  The first thing they did is shut down all the gun shops in the city.  You quickly realize that what you got is what you got.  Calls to the police at that time got the response: "we're at capacity, you're on your own".   Taught me a lot about being prepared.

-RP

[baldo]

I've been in some real bad weather (Med) in C141, C130, C9, C12 (all USAF), and you can have it.  Far worse than 9g's in an F16B on a nice day (that is fun excitement).

I do not get motion sickness, but when everyone else is puking their guts out and turning green (actually green) (fear and sickness), you are not having a good time.  The plane constantly dropping like a rock for a few seconds, over and over.  (like a runaway elevator)

Reminds me of one time on a carnival ride called the Roundup.  Five (exceedingly beered up) guys puked, and everyone on the ride got to wear it.  They didn't stop the ride either,  just on and on.  Just like on a plane.

AKA....The Vomit Comet....

[Chrisj CMA]

Praying for anyone that for what ever reason will be in South Florida Sunday morning

It makes me sad to even think about what a direct hit from a cat 5 of this size will be like.

I have lived in Florida 30 years now and have experienced a couple near hits from smaller storms.  I have never seen one like this.  No words can exaggerate the catastrophic damage that will be left behind by this one.

Don't take any chances, this is the real deal.  Check in as soon as you can when it's passed

[The emperor has no clothes]

Praying for anyone that for what ever reason will be in South Florida Sunday morning

It makes me sad to even think about what a direct hit from a cat 5 of this size will be like.

I have lived in Florida 30 years now and have experienced a couple near hits from smaller storms.  I have never seen one like this.  No words can exaggerate the catastrophic damage that will be left behind by this one.

Don't take any chances, this is the real deal.  Check in as soon as you can when it's passed

Sadly, it might be a while before we hear from our friends down that way. Power, cell phones, all computer communications might be out for a while. This thing is shaping up to be the biggest in our lifetimes.

[scooperhsd]

Cat5 when it makes landfall, and large enough that there will be storm surge on BOTH atlantic and Gulf coasts.  Irma is going to make Andrew look like a thunderstorm.


PLEASE - bug out if you can, and get in GOOD shelter if you can't . Check in when you can.
Stay safe !!

[Patrick]

It looks as if its heading up the west coast. Doubt I'll have a place left to go to next month.

Hurricane trackers. As far as I know they still fly in hurricanes. My father was one of the first right after WW2 in a B24.

[Gavin_Sons]

I have been watching the hurricane hunters on the weather channel. Pretty awesome flying into the storm and getting into the eye.

[Patrick]

I'm wondering if anyone knows how Pinellas County [ Clearwater/ St Pete] has faired ?  It looks to me as though the highest winds were about 60.