Weather phenomena

[bass51]

Thanks for the photos Lenny.  Glad this wasn't a repeat of three years ago - and I hope that Ike doesn't come to visit.

'welcome, Michael, you're right, no repeat, but the evacuation and reentry is maddening. I won't do that again unless a Cat 4 or higher threatens. It is just too much. People inching their way on the road for hundreds of miles. Everybody needs food, gas, and a piss stop all at the same time. It's unbelievable..

Ike.....

[michaelflanagansf]

Ike.....

I was just looking at NOAA forecast maps and the 5 day forecast has the cone coming more directly at the coast of Texas - you'll probably feel it if it goes where they think it is going to, but you'll be on the edge.

[killersmom]

Yes, Linda it was scary for a few moments now and again. Thnakfully the track he took spared New Orleans another disaster with the unfinished and under-engineered protection systems. Although all the Katrina repairs withstood this one.
Yes, power was an issue. I had to eat gas-starter fireplace oatmeal for breakfast! It wasn't too bad, though, a neighbor had a generator that we plugged the fridge into. That was most convenient.

And Ike is next...

I answered this and it got lost when the forum went off.

I was thinking when it hit if the repairs had lasted and were completed enough. I am glad that they did.

I know you are glad for the generator your neighbor had and that they shared.

Did your oatmeal taste smokey?

I am hoping that Ike goes elsewhere. Not that I wish this for anyone, but ya'll don't need anymore.

Oh I see that Michael said it looked like it would go elsewhere.

I do know that the Middle Texas coast is overdue by 30 years for a bad one.

[bass51]

I couldn't get back on either.

Yeah, this:

http://www.wunderground.com/tropical/tracking/at200809_model.html#a_topad

My hunch tells me it might be a close match to Gustav....a double-header. That hasn't happened in recent history...

[bass51]

We used old pots just for this service, Linda, and the log grate is your pot holder. Kind of adventuresome, camping indoors, cooking with flashlights! 

[michaelflanagansf]

Yes, that's the path I saw as well.  It looks like they're predicting the eye will cross right around Port Arthur.

[bass51]

Yes, that's the path I saw as well.  It looks like they're predicting the eye will cross right around Port Arthur.

Yeah, it's really too soon to tell, we just have to keep a close eye on each model run. The GFDL has been the most reliable model historically, and carries more weight.

[killersmom]

Are they predicting a cat 3 at landfall? Gustav was a 2, right?
I know that this far out anything could happen, but they seem to have been pretty accurate so far.

[bass51]

Well, see you guys, here's hoping for the best for Ike...

[bass51]

Are they predicting a cat 3 at landfall? Gustav was a 2, right?
I know that this far out anything could happen, but they seem to have been pretty accurate so far.

I think it's too soon to tell. It's supposed to be a 3 in the central Gulf and beyond that is unknown. We'll see...

[killersmom]

Nighty, Lenny.
Glad your electricity is back on.

Keeping my fingers crossed.

[huntinbuddy]

I'm familiar with this as I grew up in Michigan.  One of my earliest memories is getting down on the floor of the family auto in a tornado as we were driving.  You're in the heart of 'tornado alley', correct?

Have they been worse this year than usual?

Many more tornadoes than usual this year for the US as a whole.  I believe the midwest is about average, but the tropical storms frequently spawn tornadoes once the reach land.  I think this has kicked the number up a bit, but overall, the US is on a track for the most tornadoes in the past 10 years, if not longer.  As of June 5th, which is after our peak period here in the midwest, or as you say tornado alley, there had been just over 1,300 reported tornado touchdowns.  I believe I read somewhere, the death count from these storms has been higher this year also.

http://www.spc.noaa.gov/climo/torn/monthlytornstats.html

[huntinbuddy]

Wow Lenny!  Thanks for the photos and the videos.  Intense scary stuff.   Sounds like you will have another on your doorstep (Ike) by mid-week.  Sure hope it doesn't cause too much damage.
I have distant relatives in Hattiesburg, MS, and they have had damage from the winds (tornadoes) also.

[fritzkep]

Hoping for the best for you with Ike, Lenny! Time to say another flying novena to Our Lady of Prompt Succor. Hope he weakens and doesn't strike Louisiana this time.

Wonderful but scary pictures!

We got almost 7" in all from Hanna, but no wind damage. It gusted to about 50 or so, but the steady wind was much less. We lost power for only a little over 2 hours. The house remained dry, good thing we live near the top of a hill several hundred yards from the nearest stream, which probably overflowed during the storm.

We should be getting more rain tomorrow, but just a garden variety thunderstorm.

[dahlia]

Great pics Lenny!