Forecast updates provide a mix of good and bad news. [National Hurricane Center] On the good side, Idalia looks like she will be fast in forward movement as she arrives in Florida. On the bad side of the updates Idalia will be bigger, stronger, and the faster forward movement means the hurricane will be felt further inland potentially into southern Georgia. All advance preparations should be moved to completion within the next 48 hours.
Remember, you are in control. There is no need for panic or dark imaginings. Calm, prudent preparations should be taken if you are in the zone of uncertainty. Specific interests in the Tampa/St Pete region should be playing close attention. A a lot of change in impact zone can happen quickly with these northerly moving storms. Storm surge is expected to be significant.
[National Hurricane Center] – ..”At 700 AM CDT (1200 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Idalia was located near latitude 20.6 North, longitude 85.2 West. Idalia is moving toward the north near 8 mph (13 km/h). A northward motion is expected through tonight, followed by a faster north-northeast motion on Tuesday and Wednesday. On the forecast track, the center of Idalia is forecast to pass near or over western Cuba tonight, over the extreme southeastern Gulf of Mexico by early Tuesday, and reach the Gulf coast of Florida on Wednesday.
Maximum sustained winds are near 65 mph (100 km/h) with higher gusts. Idalia is forecast to become a hurricane later today and a dangerous major hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico by early Wednesday.”.. (more)
Idalia will come fast, now predicted to make landfall as a category 3+ hurricane. Those in the cone of uncertainty should pay attention, and people in the Tampa and St Pete region who have really lucked out in the past 30 years, should pay very close attention.
I hope you will understand why my proactive tips, advice and planning have modified since our experience with the September 2022 Hurricane, Ian. {Go Deep} Thankfully Idalia is not expected to be anything similar to slow moving Ian. Prior preparation advice remains solid and follows below.
In my last set of proactive suggestions, {GO DEEP HERE} I focused first and foremost on something few discuss, mental capability. Due to what I witnessed in Hurricane Ian with the people of the area, I am always going to put this into the analysis now to provide consideration that few understand. I saw Ian break strong people down and create a PTSD demographic I have never experienced before.
What follows below are things to consider if you are prepping for a hurricane impact and/or deciding whether to stay in your home or evacuate. Standard hurricane preparations should always be followed. Protect your family, secure your property and belongings, and prepare for the aftermath.
This is not a message of alarm. This is a message of prudent action that can assist your consideration, as each person evaluates their situation. What you do before the hurricane hits is going to determine where you are in the recovery phase.
Additionally, and this should be emphasized and discussed within your family, if you cannot be self-sufficient in the aftermath – for any reason, then you should evacuate. Self-sufficiency in this context requires being able to cope for up to several weeks:
(1) potentially without power; (2) potentially without potable running water (3) potentially without internet service; (4) potentially without communication outside the region; and (5) with limited municipal and private sector assistance. If you decide you cannot deal with these outcomes, you should evacuate.
Additionally, as a family or individual, you should also honestly evaluate:
(1) your physical abilities; (2) your emotional and psychological ability to withstand extreme pressures; and (3) your comfort in losing daily routines, familiar schedules and often overlooked things you might take for granted.
Post hurricane recovery is fraught with stress, frustration and unforeseeable challenges. {GO DEEP}
For those in the cone of uncertainty, remember, planning and proactive measures taken now can significantly reduce stress in the days ahead. Plan when to make the best decision on any evacuation (if needed). For now, consider Tuesday night the decision timeframe. As a general rule: take cover from wind – but evacuate away from water.
DAY ONE (Sunday)
- Determine Your Risk
- Make a Written Plan
- Develop and Evacuation Plan
- Inventory hurricane/storm supplies.
DAY TWO (Monday)
- Get Storm Update
- Assemble and Purchase Hurricane Supplies
- Contact Insurance Company – Updates
- Secure Important Papers.
- Strengthen and Secure Your Home √
- Make Evacuation plan for your Family.
DAY THREE (Tuesday)
- Get Storm Update
- Re-Evaluate your Supplies based on storm update.
- Finish last minute preparation.
- Assist Your Neighbors
- If Needed – Tuesday night – Evacuate Your Family
Communication is important. Update your contact list. Stay in touch with family and friends, let them know your plans. Select a single point of contact for communication from you that all others can then contact for updates if needed. Today/tomorrow are good days to organize your important papers, insurance forms, personal papers and place them in one ‘ready-to-go’ location.
Evaluate your personal hurricane and storm supplies; update and replace anything you might have used. Assess, modify and/or update any possible evacuation plans based on your location, and/or any changes to your family status.
Check your shutters and window coverings; test your generator; re-organize and familiarize yourself with all of your supplies and hardware. Check batteries in portable tools; locate tools you might need; walk your property to consider what you may need to do based on the storms path. All decisions are yours. You are in control.
Consider travel plans based on roads and traffic density. Being proactive now helps to keep any future stress level low. You are in control. If you have pets, additional plans may be needed.
One possible proactive measure is to make a list of hotels further inland that you would consider evacuating to. Make that list today and follow updates of the storms’ progress.
Depending on information later today, tomorrow you might call in advance and make a reservation; you can always cancel if not needed. It is better to have a secondary evacuation place established in advance. Being proactive reduces stress. Even if you wait until much later to cancel, it is better to pay a cancellation fee (usually one night charge) than to not have a plan on where to go. Trust me, it’s worth it.
Protect your family. Make the list of possibilities today, make the booking decision in the next 24 hrs.
Look over the National Hurricane Center resources for planning assistance.
If you do not handle stress well, leave.
If you cannot be self-sufficient in the aftermath, leave.
If you choose to stay pay super close attention to the exact path of the storm. A few miles make a massive difference when you are dealing with the possibility of encountering the eyewall of a hurricane.
This is a fury of nature, a battle where the odds are against you, that you may or may not be aware you are contemplating when you are choosing to stay or evacuate. It’s not the hurricane per se’, it’s that much smaller killer buzzsaw – the eyewall- that you are rolling the dice, never to see.
When it comes to the eyewall, the truest measure of the “cone of uncertainty“, the difference between scared out of your mind (victim) and a fight to avoid death (survivor), is literally a matter of a few miles. And there ain’t no changing your mind once it starts.
The worst part of the storm surge will happen immediately to the south of the arriving storm. The onshore winds will push the water. Fortunately, with Idalia, it will likely be only one tidal cycle in duration as the storm is moving quickly.
♦ Hardening your home is a matter of careful thought and physical work. However, every opening into your structure must be protected, leaving yourself with one small exit opportunity just in case. Hopefully you have a bolted door with no glass windows you can use as an emergency exit. If not, select a small window and leave only enough room uncovered for you to get out in case of emergency or structural collapse.
Beyond the ordinary supplies like drinking water, batteries, flashlights, battery or hand-crank radio, generators, gasoline, etc. Evaluate the scale of what you have against the likelihood of weeks without power or water. A few pro tips below:
♦ You can always tell those people who have been through direct hurricane impacts by how they park their cars. If you lose your Florida garage door, you will more than likely lose your roof. [Example Here] That’s just the reality of having a massive opening in your structure to 150 mph winds that will lift the trusses.
If you have two vehicles, put one vehicle inside the garage with the front bumper against the door to help stop the flex (do this carefully). Put the other vehicle outside blocking the garage door facing down the driveway or facing parallel to the garage. The goal is to use the aero dynamics of the car to push the wind away from the door and provide protection.
Purchase a cheap car cover to protect the outside vehicle and/or use old blankets (cable ties, bungee cords) to stop the outside vehicle from getting sandblasted and destroyed. Place double folded corrugated cardboard in front of the radiator to protect it from storm debris. [Example: A five-inch piece of asphalt roof shingle sliced through the grill of my truck during Ian and embedded in the radiator like a razor blade. I found it when the truck overheated.]
Additionally, if you live in a flood zone, or if you are concerned about storm surge, the day before impact take your #1 car to the nearest airport or hotel with a parking garage and park in the upper levels. Take an uber back home if you don’t have a friend or partner to help you. This way you know you will have one workable vehicle, just in case.
♦ Throw all of your patio furniture in the swimming pool if you cannot bring it inside. You can also use your pool water and a bucket to manually flush the toilets after the storm. Also dump extra chlorine into the pool because if your power goes out your pump will not run. The pool will turn into an algae filled mess quickly.
♦ Put three clean and sanitized 30-gallon trash cans in the shower and fill them with water before the storm. This will give you 90 gallons of water for cooking and personal hygiene. You will also need water to manually flush your toilets (if you have a swimming pool, use that water). Bottled water is great for drinking, hydrating and toothbrushing, but you will need much more potable water if the municipal supply is compromised or broken.
♦ A standard 6,500-to-8,500-watt generator will run for approximately 8 hours on five gallons of gasoline. Do not run it all the time. Turn it on, chill the fridge, make coffee, use the microwave or charge stuff, then turn it off. Do this in 4-hour shifts and the fridge will be ok and your gasoline will last longer. Gasoline is a scarce and rare commodity in the aftermath of a hurricane. Gas stations don’t work without power. Check the oil in the generator every few days. Also, have a can of quick start or butane available in case the generator starts acting up.
♦ Extension cords. If you are purchasing them buy at least one 50 to 100′ extension cord with a triple ponytail. This way you can use one cord into a central location to charge up your electronic devices. Establish a central recharging station for phones, pads, laptops, and rechargeable stuff.
♦ Purchase a box of “contractor garbage bags” and just keep them in the garage. These are large, thick, industrial trash bags that fit 40-gallon drums (Home Depot or Lowes). They can be used for trash, or even cut open for tarps in the aftermath of a storm. These thick mil contractor bags have multiple uses following a hurricane.
♦ Do all of your laundry before the hurricane hits. You will likely not have the ability again for a few weeks.
♦ Fill any empty freezer space with bottled water, remove some water to allow for expansion beforehand. You can move those frozen jugs of water into the fridge to help keep temp down after storm, if no power.
♦ Cook a week’s worth of meals in advance of the hurricane. Store in fridge so you can microwave for a meal. Eating a constant diet of sandwiches gets old after the first week. Dinty Moore canned beef stew and or Chef-boy-ardee raviolis can make a nice break…. anything, except another sandwich.
♦ Have bleach for use in disinfecting stuff before and after a hurricane. Also have antibiotics and antiseptics for use. Hygiene and not getting simple infections after a hurricane is critical and often forgotten. Again, this is where the extra potable water becomes important. Simple cuts and scrapes become big deals when clean potable water is not regularly available. Keep your scrapes and abrasions clean and use antiseptic creams immediately.
♦ Do not forget sunscreen and things to relieve muscle aches and pains. Hurricane recovery involves physical effort. You will be sore and/or exposed to the elements. Remember, it’s all about self-sufficiency because the normal services are not available. A well-equipped first aid kit is a must have.
♦ Buy a small camping stove. Nothing big or expensive, just something you can cook on outside in case of emergency. It will be a luxury when you are 2+ weeks without power and all the stores and restaurants are closed for miles.
♦ Those small flashlights that you can strap around your head that take a few AAA batteries? Yup, GOLD. Those types of handsfree flashlights are lifesavers inside and outside when you need to see your way around. Nighttime is especially dark without electricity in the entire town. Doing stuff like filling a generator with gasoline in the middle of the night is much easier with one of those head strap flashlights. Strongly advise getting a few, they’re inexpensive too.
♦ Cash. You will need it. Without power anything you may need to purchase will require cash, especially gasoline. Additionally, anyone you hire to help or support your immediate efforts will need to be paid. Cash is critical. How much, depends on your individual situation, but your cash burn rate will likely go into the thousands in the first few days. Also keep in mind, you may or may not be able to work and without internet access even getting funds into place could be challenging.
♦ Hardware. A box of self-tapping sheet metal screws (short and long) is important, along with a box or two of various wood screws or Tyvex screws. A battery drill or screw gun is another necessity. These are for use in securing stuff now, and in temporary repairs after the damage of the storm has subsided. Check all of this stuff during hurricane prep.
Another disaster for Ron to ignore while he runs for president.
Doubt it. This will be his last chance to become relevant. Roll in as the hero and champion of the people following a disaster.
Just like Hurricane Ian. Ron did the things that gave him positive camera coverage.
Since then, many hardworking Floridians have had their homeowners insurance policies cancelled & many are now frozen out of the market.
Go look at Ron DeFraud’s donor list & you’ll see plenty of 100k & 50k donations from insurance companies & agents…not to mention builders, developers & contractors.
Let’s 🙏 pray for the people of Florida.
You are so right. The truth of all this is very hard to swallow. People believe only the things they want. They have a real problem believing the truth even when it hits them in the butt. Ronny baby is all out for money, he was a great governor but he sold out.
Oh he’s on this alrighty…
Over the weekend, Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (FDACS) officials learned about fuel contaminations at gas stations serviced by the Port of Tampa.
“FDACS has identified a potentially widespread fuel contamination caused by human error at the Port of Tampa,” the state agency said in a statement.
“Any fuel purchased after 10 a.m. on Saturday, August 26, at stations supplied by Citgo from the Port of Tampa has a strong likelihood of being contaminated with diesel fuel.”
Any drivers who think they purchased contaminated gasoline can file a complaint by calling the FDACS consumer hotline at 1-800-HELP-FLA.
During a Sunday news conference, Gov. Ron DeSantis said the contamination was “human error,” saying “They put diesel in tanks that were supposed to be regular gas.”
Will it ruin the engine of the car? Will it prevent people from evacuating if they need to?
If you still believe in coincidence and this “Human Error” occurred at this specific time you need to wake up.
He did a great job Wi th the last hurricane, you have to give him that
Won a lot of Dem Voters over.
I’m good with that. The fewer Dem voters in FL., the better.
Yeah, Palm Beach county and Broward have enough for the whole state.
Tampa coming up hard on them, sadly.
Do you mean the retired liberal Jewish community from New York city who were rigging the election for governor in favor of the homosexual drug addict Andrew Gillum?
Oh there are more than that but that is a large segment.
Yeah? Ask the folks with blue tarps on their roofs from the last one how great he is doing.
i saw them.
not according to many of the people who live there
Before he announced his run against DJT, DeSantis could do no wrong
Indeed, his immigration policies and (to his credit) laws passed by the Florida Legislature have severely restricted immigration to Florida by illegals
His actions after hurricane Ian were forceful and effective
I totally understand the animosity towards him now, but he is a good Florida governor.
Remember that you would have had a closeted meth smoker as governor right when the pandemic hit – the perfect politician for political blackmail
look at virginia (northam) and DC (biden) to see what happens when an executive is compromised
I’m not willing to write him off as Florida governor
Also, if they JFK DJT, when then?
After everything that has happened, people need to accept this possibility
Considering he’s lied to Florida, put legislation in place to allow unfettered campaigning etc., and bad-mouthing conservatives, he deserves to be written off as *any* politician.
Don’t think he’s gotten rid of mail in ballots and the machines yet either but I could be wrong on that.
Naw, he had a fundraiser thrown by the lawyer for Dom!o!n..
Meatball knew soon after his election that we in Florida know exactly what he is and he has no chance without fraudulent votes.
Amen from a “Deplorable Listless Vessel.”
The definition of compromised is bought. DeSantis is bought and paid for many times over by big donors. Clarity of thought reveals the exact opposite of what you argue with your own words.
I invite you to try find 5 white guys in one spot on any type of construction site in the State.
Too easy, they’re the ones in the construction trailer that speak English.
Next question. LOL
Anybody know what happened to all that money the meatballs wifey collected? LastI heard, not much.
Like a governor should. Won’t help his national campaign at all. He’s done for after the debate last week.
Off topic. Thanks for shooting the whole thread off on a tangent. There is the Presidential thread for that.
The Rule of Threes states humans can survive:
Three minutes without oxygen.
Three hours without shelter.
Three days without water.
Three weeks without food.
Rule Of Threes Let’s break down the Rule of Threes, one by one.
Rule #1: Three Minutes Without OxygenObviously, any condition that threatens your breathing —or the blood’s ability to circulate oxygen —is an immediate survival situation.Here are a few quick tips if you find yourself without air:
If you happen to find yourself in an enclosed space without an immediate way out, check to see if there is a way of introducing fresh air into that space before working on your exit plan. It’s also a good idea to slow your breathing as much as possible —this will also help to keep you calm.Two very basic first aid skills that everyone should know are CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver. Breathing in air, however, is just the first step –oxygen then needs to be circulated throughout the body, which is where CPR comes into play. Choking can happen in a blink-of-an-eye, often without warning, and when it happens, it needs to be addressed immediately. It’s critical to know how to perform the Heimlich Maneuver on someone else as well as on yourself.
Rule #2: Three Hours Without ShelterThe environment you are in is going to play a major role, but let’s assume most survival situations don’t happen on a warm, cozy beach. Odds are temperatures, rain, wind, snow, or worse will be involved, which accentuates the need for a good shelter. Remember, you only have three hours to shelter yourself in the toughest conditions.
Here are a few quick tips for surviving in the cold:
Insulate your shelter by filling in any gaps in the building material.Avoid building your shelter in cold sinks. These are low areas where the temps will be much colder.Smaller shelters will be much easier to keep warm with a small fire and will retain heat better.Move around. If you don’t have a fire, be sure to do light exercises and work large muscle groups to generate heat. Here are a couple of quick tips for surviving in extreme heat:
Before you do anything else, set up a simple shelter first to avoid heat exhaustion. Keep in mind that shaded areas can be up to twenty degrees cooler than surrounding areas.It will help to keep a shelter cooler if there is a way for air to circulate through it.There are many forms and styles a shelter in the wilderness can take, but in most cases, simplicity is best. Use fallen trees as a starting point – their size can often create little nooks and crannies after they’ve hit the ground that can be used as the skeleton of your eventual shelter.
Bringing packable survival tarps or blankets is also a smart way to stay ahead of the game. Paracord and a good survival knife are essential for shelter creation, and you would be surprised what you can become capable of with only a blade and some paracord as construction tools.
Rule #3: Three Days Without Drinkable WaterWater is essential for life —especially in the short term.
Go even one day without H2O in a survival situation, and you are sure to feel its effects. While some individuals have been known to go longer than three days without water, this is not something to mess around with.
Here are a few quick tips for finding H2O in the wild:
Use an absorbent material -—like a cotton t-shirt -—to collect morning dew off of plants.Dig into damp soil and wait for groundwater to seep in.Listen for moving water, such as a river or stream.Once you find a source of water, it will need to be thoroughly cleaned to prevent you from getting sick.
Rule #4: Three Weeks Without Food How long a human can survive without food really depends on the amount of fat and muscle that person has in their body. As uncomfortable as it may be, we can go a pretty long time —roughly three weeks —without eating a single thing.
In fact, food should be the lowest priority —but not ignored. Like with water, going without food for significant periods of time is not only uncomfortable but also reduces your ability to think and perform.
Here are a handful of quick tips for finding food in the wild:
Insects like crickets and beetles are usually safe to eat, but bugs like spiders, scorpions, and centipedes are not. Stay away from bright colors. Generally, if something is a bright color, whether that is a plant or insect, chances are it is highly poisonous. Don’t eat a plant unless you can positively identify it. Many plants are toxic and look identical to other plants, so be sure you know exactly what plant you are working with before putting it in your body. Cook your food when you can. By doing this, you will kill off most of the parasites that might be living in the animal you are about to eat. A Final WordSurvival is never easy, even in the best situations, and if you happen to find yourself in a survival situation, you’re probably not starting out in the best shape. However, with a little bit of knowledge, research, and following the good old Boy Scout motto of “Be Prepared,” you can help tilt the scales in your odds a little bit more.
Being prepared for an emergency can make all the difference in a survival situation. You can do this by first understanding the Rule of Threes, but secondly, by putting together an emergency survival kit.
Your kit should include all the essentials like a water filter, food, a flashlight, a survival knife, and of course, a first aid.
The best way to survive is to avoid getting into a survival situation. When in doubt bugout!
I certainly hope and pray this storm stays away from Cape Coral area.
Even though I am no where near this storm track I am reminded in these times to go back over my preparations for doing without power or ready access to the grocers for extended periods.
Thank you for all the good information Sundance.
I took a ski patrol course way back when….the most important aspect of survival taught in the course, being out in nature and in survivalist mode…is…
THE WILL TO SURVIVE!
The inner strength one can muster up in perilous times….
Your deep seated “WILL”…to live through whatever. To not panic. The ability to dig deep to keep oneself out of panic mode which can cause ill thought out decisions…
God Bless my Treeper Peepers in the path….
Absolutely
Do you still patrol Aggiegirl?
This will be my 34th season of active and continuous service as a member of the NSP (serving the same ski area in eastern PA).
No I don’t…I never did develop the ski skills necessary, I remained a newbie…the ‘Hill’ was just too far for me to keep with it…
I remain impressed with the training emphasis placed on remaining calm and focused and keeping that “will to survive” going strong.
Great thoughts.
Thanks for sharing, Aggiegirl!
You vill eat ze bugs!!!
But but but….what if they sprout wings and fly away?
🙂
While using a generator don’t take the extension cord for granted!
“You must always use a proper extension cord with a portable generator. A standard, indoor extension cord that you already have in your house, will likely not be enough. Depending on the load of your electrical devices and the amperage of the outlet you choose to use in your generator, you will need a specific cord that can withstand this power without overheating.”
https://bestpowerguides.com/extension-cord-with-generator/
This article discusses the different types of extension cords and which one you should use with your generator…also how to use a portable generator with an extension cord and how long the extension cord should be…”
Good review article. Always good to check the extension cord.
Funny. Last time I looked a typhoon is going to hit Taiwan Wednesday too.
Strange. Geo-engineered? What do they have planned?
A new highly contagious and long lasting bug foisted on us, caused by the climate of hurricanes and typhoons that will affect people in Christian Conservative flyover country?
Oh you mean like intentional wildfires set in conservative Eastern Washington
Or the country of Greece where over a hundred activists were recently arrested for arson.
just normal weather with hyper media coverage.
They want to be able to scream “climate change” but most of all it’s about population control. The more people killed by “climate” disasters the better, plus it weakens survivors for the upcoming new covid BS.
“What do they have planned?” Considering the capacity and willingness of individuals to finetune their own dark imaginings, they’re wasting money and time.
What about the typhoon approaching Wisconsin? It’s the stuff of nightmares.
Someone called it Operation Popeye, but that wasn’t you.
When someone doesn’t know something, it’s dark imaginings.
Everyone knows that, but I hope this helps someone.
Operation Popeye occurred in Vietnam during 1967 thru 1972. The USAF were seeding the clouds in an attempt to extend the monsoon season to disrupt use of the Ho Chi Minh Trail.
It was such a secret operation that the planners of The Son Tay Prison Raid were not informed and the raid in November 1970 went off almost perfectly but for the fact the prisoners had been moved due to flooding.
Best of luck to you, Sundance, and know that you will be in our thoughts and prayers. May G-d watch over you and yours and guard you from harm.
Sincerest best wishes from this British Columbian “branch”
Cheers, Deke – how’s the fires going? Seems there’s something for everyone these days!
Yes fires are a very big deal in our provinces interior.
We are on the coast, and for several days now one can taste the smoke in the air and will likely find ash particulate on our vehicles.
Cheers!
This is bad… this is bad…
This will be a bad weather event for northern Florida. Will it move Meatball back to his home State for a few days? Don’t bet on that, Florida. The removal of Trump from the top of the Repug ticket is far more important to everyone in the Swamp than any hurricane crossing the Gulf of Mexico. If it was heading north of Richmond, it would be a full blown Climate Change Catastrophe by now. Remember little hurricane Sandy? If I were in Florida, I might be preparing for the worst. FEMA will be getting a new extended vacation spot in southern Florida this week. We can bank on that. I hear there are a lot of 5-star hotels in the Miami area.
Really, you mean the poor guys will have to leave Maui early?
If you’re going to exploit your kids in MAGA hats for votes, why not exploit body bags filled with MAGA hats for 81 million votes.
Those dark imaginings are the kind sniffer fanboys like.
Cry Back Better
https://rumble.com/v3bm0f2-the-fact-that-they-took-this-mugshot-is-an-absolute-joke..html
How many staged press questions can social bottom feeders make viral in a day?
https://rumble.com/v2hmtj6-watch-me-go-off-on-rino-ron-desantis.html
I be in a motorhome that’s ready to roll if need be. All systems checked, 90 gallons potable water, empty holding tanks, air in tires, batteries charged and generator ready with 5 gallons gas.
I am 10 miles inland, north of Steinhatchee, on US Hwy 19 26 miles south of Perry. I have two possible evac routes, one north to Mayo, one north to Perry. I’ll be leaving my 2 trucks behind in the clear if it comes to that, and I’ll be moving everything out from under and proximity to trees this evening – lots of overhanging Live Oak branches for shade, but perilous for high winds.
God bless any of y’all in the zone, be prepared! Eye to weather!
If I were you, I would leave now before the road gets totally congested.
I remember evacuating from Miami for hurricane Andrew back in the early 90’s. Alligator Alley opened for northbound traffic on both sides headed to Tampa. Normally about a 3 hour trip. Took over 12 hours. Made it to Tampa an hour before Andrew made landfall. That was a super-fun road trip with 5 adults and 5 children under the age of 5.
Hunkered down during Andrew. At around 7 AM
Hurricane Andrew had passed. Though not bad
compared to the Perrine Area and Westward, still
did plenty of help with the 9 thousand pound winch
on old CJ5 Jeep. The cruise through Coconut Grove
Marina’s and Bay Area was an eye opener. Lower down
was devestating.
92 was during the Half Tones Dots era….
“Printers Ink Makes People Think” 🙂
I was in Boca then. Watched the idiot neighbor’s coconuts go through the next door neighbor’s block walls. Boca wasn’t even near the eye on that blow.
A few weeks later we drove down to Key Largo with a boat and people’s furniture was still on the freeway near the eye path. You could look west when you crossed the eye path and every tree was just flattened to the ground waaay off into the distance.
I am in the least populated area of the entire state of Florida, with little to no one coming North up 19 from South of here. I keep my eyes open and call my shots. Thank you for your advice and concern, though.
Please know my comment was not meant to be snarky. I lived in Central Florida for many years and spent a few in southern Georgia and had to make that evacuation decision quite a few times. I always stayed and was glad I did.
Didn’t take it that way, just saw it as concern. I’m here in the middle of nowhere on purpose, everything is easire to handle when far away from the maddening crowd. Thank you again!
You are in the “catbird seat” my friend! When this is all over, we need to catch a redfish or two on Waccassassa Bay.
Yeah buddy! I wonder what the storm will do to the fishing forecasts, and if it will bode well or ill for the oyster beds up to Apalachicola Bay… all the swamp critters are stirring too!
this is very good advice
all those discharged EVs on the highway will block your escape route
vapor lock between the ear buds
Praying for you and all those in the path of this storm!
Spent a lot of time in that area in the late 70’s. Had 40 acres on the Suwanee by Manatee Springs Park.
Steinhatchee had an old one lane bridge.
Used to have a sticker that read–Pray for me I drive on US 19.
I am battening down the hatches in my yard today and will help the elderly neighbors with theirs this evening and early tomorrow. I have the cat carriers ready and I am fueled up. We are up on a high spot so flooding won’t be ta worry, but the tornadoes and loblolly pines that are eaten up by beetle grubs don’t mix. Those things like to snap in half and take flight. If it heads straight for the Tampa Metro, folks in my area will be trapped by the gridlock from fleeing city folk. Problem is these iditols in charge have no way to evacuate the megalopolis they were allowed to create.
Hi CR, I hope your cats are the ‘easy’ kind that can get into the carrier w/o full-out claws, pooping, peeing, etc. but mostly, I hope you stay safe and dont even need to load up and get out of dodge.
Thanks, SC! I am glad you could make sense of that post. I am about to jump over to Dr. Levi Cowan’s site.
I remember Sundance having lots of flat tires after Ian, as well as trouble finding tire repair kits. I recommend stocking up NOW before A) you can’t get to the store and B) they’re all gone!
Lord, protect all those in the path of this storm!
Yep – I’m getting ready -moving everything off the porch.
Best to all of you.
Maybe, just maybe, this storm will miss Florida in its entirety, and will unleash its full might on Fulton County, GA and the homes of those that have committed acts of political lawfare against our great nation. Just a thought!
These people are sick. They go into the next room and laugh. – 45
They’ll say crossfire hurricane is racist, indict Trump again, bank some donations from Sharpton’s financial fat cats, and get their grift on like usual. Easy money.
Build Rackets Better
A prayer for the people who will be effected by Hurricane Idalia;
Father we praise you for your creation and your sovereign hand over your people. Father we ask you safely guide and direct the people in the path of this Hurricane. We thank you Lord for the wisdom and resources to prepare for this storm and ask you protect the people that are in it’s path. Lord we ask that your disciples here on earth bring glory to your name and bring the needed wisdom an preparation and support in the coming days and weeks. We ask you to bless all that stand ready to help others in need.
In Jesus name ~ Amen
Amen
Amen
Amen.
No mention of the hurricane forming on Florida’s east coast?
If you’re talking about Franklin, it isn’t predicted to hit Florida–or the US at all!
Going north, but, it’s a good one.
https://weather-radar-live.com/cloud-cover-map/
I live near the beach in So Cal so hurricane is not my primary concern, but earthquakes are.
I’m using this tutorial to put a finer point on my earthquake preparation as most of the advice is transferable.
If anyone has tips on large scale desalination processes I’d love to hear it. Most of what I’ve seen just deals with getting a few sips.
Pretty much has to distill the saltwater, if you are looking to dobit on a small scale.
Space ship? Nope its an inflatable still that floats on salt water and yields fresh drinkable water. How about that?
https://www.landfallnavigation.com/aquamate-solar-still.html
(Some variation on the solar still should work for desalination. I stuck the floating one up because hey it’s neat! The link below discusses how to do a solar still. Basically you just hang some clean plastic at an angle over a water source in the sun and evaporation and condensation do the job. Could probably experiment on a large scale or research the web some more for others ideas and results.)
https://worldwaterreserve.com/how-to-make-a-solar-still/
(
What happened to the desalination bottles?
Dollar General has that water thing covered.
Lots of desalinators for boats. Makes as much water as you want depending on what you want to spend.
Just search “watermakers”. Ittle-bitty portable suitcase size to run on 12VDC to the ginormous.
Thanks for all your input!
From an Igloo Product Expert
Hello, coolers need to be prepped before use; especially one of that size(large) . If the cooler is stored in garage or attic, bring inside at least a day before use. Use a sacrificial bag of ice to cool the insulated walls before loading the cooler with ice, drinks, and food. Fill with ice and limit the times opened and closed.
dragonfly: Roger that. An un-cooled cooler will easily “consume” a bag of ice (or more, depending on size of cooler) before the cooler is truly ready to use for an extended period.
A polar (or insulated) fishing cooler keeps food cold up to three days on one bag or block of ice. Also fill up the bathtub and some pots and buckets with tap water prior to the storm, to provide water for cooking, drinking and even toilet flushes should you lose power.
Some use rainwater catchment systems, although south Florida may frown on outdoor standing water containers due to the mosquito problem.
Thanks for the reminders. We are in full prep mode now and hoping it goes in north of us a long way.
With any luck Idalia will tack on a slightly more southernly course and take out WDW, permanently.
In all seriousness, wishing for everyone’s safety.
Yep,
WDW= The Orlando Rat.
Wunderground is now projecting that it will make landfall in Dixie County as a Category 3.
Other counties expect to get the eye of the storm are, in chronological order: Lafayette, Suwannee, Columbia, and Baker.
https://www.wunderground.com/hurricane/atlantic/2023/tropical-storm-idalia?map=5day&MR=1
Not much in that area…Lakeland is up the road a bit.
Good luck. I suspect next insurance renewal will be a painful event if you can find a company to underwrite the policy.
Just got a call from State Farm rep here on east coast, they got directive to stop binding new policies until after storm.
Normally home owners takes 30 days to activate so it is kind of wasted motion on the halting.
My is for auto, they are halting that too, will resume next week.
FYI. While doing a deep dive into WHO was donating to Ron’s presidential campaign and super PAC, I noticed a lot of insurance companies & agents, builders, developers & contractors. World of Disney & Anheuser Busch each donated 50k apiece also. The largest donor by far is the Republicans Governors Association at 50 MILLION, followed by Club For Growth at 20 Million & a few other 20 Million donors.
I was on Ballotpedia researching DeFraud’s Congressional voting record & there was a link to the donors. I can’t remember if it was just transparency.com or transparencyusa.com.
It would be easy enough to find again.
The courage to DeCeive?
Florida’s insurance industry has been plagued with corruption, negligence, retribution, and fraud under Governor DeSantis and his cabinet.
https://lauraloomer.substack.com/p/lobbygate-ron-desantiss-state-insurance
Tampa appears to be in trouble, but I think she is going push south some more, with this big high pressure shifting East the next few days.
‘Tis the season.
Godspeed to everyone in the affected areas!
i am in the 4-7 ft surge zone. my son’s school is 1 mile from the ocean which essentially flat land. the house is 7 miles but there are some hills, no really, that it would take a tsunami to get over. got a new roof last year and only have a couple of trees in the yard. we are south of the projected path but i know that we will feel it.
Beware of “rapid intensification” when calculating your “odds”… meaning…
Hurricane Humberto 2007 was forecast to hit Bolivar Peninsula near Galveston at 45 mph….what it did was spin up to 90 mph in eight hours and hit Port Arthur TX area…
My storm door was rattling and mail flap was flapping so I opened a downwind door and the lightening illuminated a full blow hurricane…surprise surprise needless to say.
Prayers for all in landfall zone.
Other than the obvious incoming TC we are looking pretty good out to Sept 16 or so in U.S.
Source…Windy dot com…(my extrapolation of current 10 day forecast)…no current Atlantic activity likely to make a US landfall out to Sept 6….travel time across Atlantic is 10-12 days for a low pressure trough leaving the African continent thus placing us at Sept 16 and Sept 9 is HUMP DAY! for Atlantic tropical cyclone activity…
From trackthetropics dot com….the Saharan dry air/dust layer is still in our favor as is wind shear predictions.
The Yucatan Peninsula area is a known troublemaker for birthing quickly forming and intensifying storms so I am eyeballing it daily.
Prayers and God Bless all.
Thank you Kent!!
Thank YOU!
Also keeping an eye on the Bermuda/Azores High…it wobbles around quite a bit but is mostly favorable for allowing the lows to escape toward Europe.
Just curious if you are, or were at some point, a meteorologist?? You seem to be very educated in the subject! It’s certainly something I could never wrap my head around.
No…not a meteorologist…oil refinery operations is my line of work.
I watch because A) I am 6′ above sea level…there is a seawall but it almost breached in especially Ike but also Rita…and I HATE to bug out…when I leave I have a 45 mph tailwind and the roadside billboard tarps are flapping in the breeze…I don’t fear the wind but I DO fear the storm surge.
B) Shutting down the refinery changes my job from really laid back to intense effort and concentration for 3-4 weeks…and
…
C) It’s interesting…a very complex interaction of multiple variables layered onto many possible yet unknown outcomes.
…Which is also why I shoot Craps…😂
My Mother was taking college courses when I was very young and I would sit and listen to she and her friends study…I never had to study in school because it was all review.
Mom loved to teach and she is now a long since retired elementary school teacher.
Mom loved…meteorology.
Well, I enjoy hearing “your” take on what we should/could expect! Stay safe, my friend! 🙂
Hopefully these next 3-4 weeks remain “laid back”
God Bless!!
We are desperate for rain in Texas, I hope this baby turns West, but just a tropical storm
….and it ain’t looking too good…for a while…
Watched a thunderpuddler approach from the north yesterday evening….got a teensy bit of rain but the main ‘blob’ missed me by a few hundred yards….
Parts of East Texas got some rain but might not have been enough to help with the forest fires in E TX and W LA….
Here in the Larue area of East Tx, we got 4/10″ last night. Not near enough but at this point we will take anything we can get considering we haven’t had any rain since July 11th.
A cousin near Woodville was advised to be prepared to evacuate due to fires…even only 4/10ths is a blessing now…glad you got at least a little bit.
We had two 5-second showers a few nights ago, and one 10-second shower this a.m. here in central Texas. WE haven’t had any rain since June, so I don’t feel sorry for anyone whose had a more recent rain.
I’m back to telling people “we got a quarter of a tenth of an inch” (which, when translated, means “tain’t much”)!
P.S. With the high sitting over Texas, the chances of a hurricane hitting this state are ZIP, ZERO, NIL, NADA, and NO WAY!
The ol’ double edged sword thang…
If I were a bettin’ man, which I am, I would put our best odds at a Yucatan spawned storm working up the coast due to Mexico also having high pressure lingering….
But, at the moment, with the information currently at hand…my black chip would be on the seven.
I was kind of hoping not to do a hurricane this year, but the chainsaws are tuned up and sharpened, we’re as ready as we can be.
and between now and Wed. keep the gas tank full. and a case of insect repellent. work gloves. duct tape and know where all your tools are.
….and water…I have 40 gallons in a food grade drum and three dozen 2 liter 7-Up bottles prepped year round..
That’s enough for me and the cats but if I had more people I would have more water.
For insect repellant, I’ve used marigold spray….used for horses etc. (wonder where I’ve seen that before)…works great, and not toxic like deet is. Though….can’t go wrong keeping deet products handy – some skitters will fly off with small mammals and human babies….
🙂
…interesting
Thanks, Sundance.
Latest from Ryan Hall, 1 hour ago.
I follow both him and Andy Hill, young men who are both highly knowledgeable. It’s “fun” to watch them in action…and obvious (especially during tornadoe earlier this summer) how highly valuable the live broadcasts are when something dangerous is working its way across the landscape. Such fine guys…..at times earlier this summer they were doing livecasts for up to 8-10 hours at a time as there were such a high number of rapidly moving and very dangerous storm systems across the entire southeast and south. As I recall, they also coordinated their work during some of those events, their staffs collaborating w/re to coverage and schedules.
Cancelled my trip tomorrow to Anna Maria Island.
Evacuating the island at 2pm EST today.
Hoping this storm moves more west.
Love Anna Maria and Longboat
Probably smart idea. Where we lived on AMI, we were across from the bay and 3 blocks from the gulf.Island is very narrow in many parts of its 7 mile length. Only 3 traffic lights on whole island.When Charlie was supposed to make a direct hit , my wife was in tears after hearing it could wipe out the entire island. I am homesick after moving 3 years ago. Better safe than sorry and enjoy when you go back to AMI.
Pray and help others
Been praying. We would have stayed at a villa in Bradenton Beach close to the bridge going to Longboat. Probably the most narrow part of the 6 mile island. Been going there for years.
https://www.tampabay.com/hurricane/2023/08/27/florida-gas-contamination-idalia/
Citgo gas. Bottom of article has a list of stations believed to have sold the gas. Contaminated with diesel fuel. Don’t kill your engines/generators.
“Human Error” a horse’s petoot!
Upthread someone asked about what they could throw at us?
We have one answer…
Human error is not only likely but is definitely going to happen.
I have worked in an oil refinery for 22 years and it is an incredibly complicated endeavour …one wrong move can hit millions of $$$ in consequences as fast as you can snap your fingers.
The contamination was 99.9999% not intentional.
Put it this way…some newbie opened the wrong valve and until the end if time…that valve will be named after him…or her…
Prayers up for everyone this hurricane will affect.
Let us pray especially for the people who are still reeling from hurricane Ian.
God is still in control!
I spoke to my son in Clearwater, FL this morning, early. They returned from an out of state trip late last night and he had no clue. An emergency alert went off on his phone as we were talking. You can imagine what he said….
Lolol…starts with O and ends with IT?
You nailed it precisely.
Prayers of safety going out for yours, amongst many, many others!
GFS computer model continues to want to stall this thing off the Carolina coast. The model then gets even more goofy with Idalia moving south again and crossing Florida into Gulf. Yet it remains a weak tropical storm at that point.
It has been consistent in short term showing it hitting Florida with pressure of 950mb. For comparison the other hurricane in Atlantic now is 937mb with winds 145mph.(it rapidly intensified today)
Windy dot com is not showing a stall….it shows the eye raking up SC coast and moving slightly east of Grand Banks then more easterly.
Most models show it slowly moving out to sea. GFS though has been stubbornly stalling it off coast for several runs now
It wouldn’t hurt my feelings if it reversed into GOM and worked its way into Texas at sub storm strength dumping rain all along the way….
It could waltz across Texas and Texas would waltz with it…😎
I just checked out that site. Pretty good one!
In the menu on the right find ‘rain,thunder’ ….it’s my go to…also put in ‘pressure’ so you can see what is steering systems…
I.E….Bermuda High
Lots of preferences…I love that site…highly recommended…
Oops…thought you replied to me…blush
Oh! You did!…
Gotta get my bifocals updated…
Blow Blow Seminole Wind….
Had to go listen to John Anderson Seminole Wind again…live, somewhere…
What a great tune…beautiful piano and violin intro.
You Florida Treepers, stay safe. Love and prayers for you all.
For those down here in SWFL with solar you’ve pretty much lost the sun from this morning. There are only minutes at a time now with current generating sunlight. Stay on the grid. We’re into sucky cloud cover times now.
Top off your battery banks now with external charging and run them up through equilibrium and then go back down to float charging for the evening.
The outer outflow bands are going to come through the Ft. Myers area around 7pm tonight according to the future radar maps on Weatherunderground.
Here’s the live cloud cover map for the solar kids.
https://weather-radar-live.com/cloud-cover-map/
these are current models produced by non-official weather nerds.
if interested, here are two links that have very good comprehensive models and prediction products.
https://www.trackthetropics.com/
https://www.tropicaltidbits.com/storminfo/#10L
God Bless America
Isn’t Franklin moving in on the east coast of the USA too? Yikes. Will they collide and bring epic rain to the south east?
Franklin isn’t supposed to hit the east coast (assuming the models are correct). Regarding that storm, “It’s not time to worry yet.”
Oops. Just saw the report on this one being pushed out to sea. Still a lot of rain forecast over the SE the next week form these storms. Take care and prepare everyone.
Here’s a simple way to get a stream of cool air directed at you, if Hurricane Idalia knocks out your utility power supply, and you have no generator:
Buy a 12-volt desk fan that can run on either plug-in AC power, or on batteries. I like the “TREVA” fan that takes 8 D batteries. You can also get an “O2COOL” fan that takes 6 D batteries. (The 6-battery fan runs slower than the 8-battery fan, if you have to run on batteries.) Buy lots of spare batteries.
Also start buying and/or freezing lots of ice – preferably block ice, which melts slower than ice cubes. The ice will melt even slower, if you put it into a plastic bag. (You don’t want to run out of ice on a hot day.)
To make the fan blow cool air on you, do this: Make a tunnel or tube out of “Reflectix” bubble wrap. Put some ice into the tube. Put the fan by one opening in the tube, and turn it on. The fan will blow cool air out of the other end of the tube.
It’s not as good as an air conditioner, but it’s better than nothing.
….or just wear a cotton t shirt underwear and jeans and slowly dump a quart of water over your head…
Secret: it’s the wet underwear that really does the trick…keeps you cool for hours
Notice just a degree or so turn southward and it’s a direct hit on the Magic Kingdom. I was once there in ’85 with my little one to go to Disney. Tied down at Merrit Island (trying to get my hrs up for my license) and had to leave really quick to beat the wind the next morning. Microbursts were phenomenal. Any way..they closed the park early- only time in it’s history that had happened up to that point. Now look at it with all it’s perversion and debauchery. Remember the porn filming capital of America – Northridge CA – ’94…Jus’ sayin’.
Prayers for our cth friends
Bless you for your insight and sharing this valuable knowledge for all of us in the southeast …..
Excellent article, thank you Sundance!
You can also buy “contractor garbage bags” at your locally owned ACE or Tru-Value hardware stores.
Want to confirm Sundance’s comment about the forehead flashlight – it has become an “essential item” here.
Not only does it allow work-through of annoying problems…
We also use it to do weeding in the garden at night, when the southern summer heat is bearable. It has totally changed our ability to grow food, for the better!
Headlamps are indispensable great to have to free up your hands.
For extended power outages I recommend a pressure lantern. They can be gasoline or kerosene like the original Coleman camping lanterns.
There are some others but Coleman is hard to beat. I will repeat they are for extended periods of use. You will run out of propane bottles and batteries but still should have access to unleaded gas or kerosene before you can replace propane or batteries.
Sundance also mentioned having a camp stove run by one would presume gasoline or propane.
If all else fails there are the original hurricane lanterns or lamps that run off kerosene if outside or lamp oil if inside. (never use a pressure lantern inside)
ACK! CARBON CARBON CARBON!
Is a black /grey solid substance….like what you see spewing out if the tailpipe of your car….
Or…don’t…
So many people who think that they are SO smart belching carbon statements as if they are intelligent….
Again…carbon is a dark solid substance…not a colorless,odorless gas which enhances plant growth which in turn produces oxygen for happy shining people holding hands to partake of…
Don’t let “them” control the narrative…especially the narrative in your head…
(zombie…😁)
(Not ‘you’ personally, Monticello…
Just sick of seeing idiots in enemedia referring to ‘carbon’ as if their statements are intelligent…)
It’s all good. 🙂
When the chips are down the old ways are best and I have no problem burning whatever for heat or light if I need it.
I should emphasize again that you can use “Hurricane” lamps and lanterns (they use a wick and are not nearly as bright) inside during a power outage but pressure lamps and stoves can deplete the oxygen you need to breath unless maybe all doors and windows were open. Pressure lamps/lanterns are for outside use.
I have three kerosene lamps…one was my great grandmother’s and is somewhere near 100 years old…still works just fine.
The newfangled LED lamps are wonderful…almost no heat generated..if they last…gotta buy three to make sure one is good/sarc..
China just don’t make’em like we used to.
I have a ‘flat’ section of roof and a screen tent if push comes to shove but my employer is big time generous in emergencies…so I stay out there…
Sundance, you’re my favorite news source, and this piece is important for any threatening situation. I’m printing it for the “important stuff” notebook. I’m sure I’ll need it eventually, because it’s not just facts and lists; it’s HOW to think through. Vital outlook!
Thanks!
YOWZA! You gotta be tough to live in Florida year round!
Hurricanes, alligators, snakes, mold, humidity…WOW.
I’ve always lived a few miles from I-5 – from Southern California to now in Seattle area. We have it easy – that is if you can handle the dreary days in the Pacific Northwest but that’s obviously nothing compared to hurricanes.
I drove trucks for eight years….loved PNW…especially the dreary rainy aspect….
My Dad loved it too…Korean War vet…
That is some sound advice. THANK YOU. I am keeping this.
“Put three clean and sanitized 30-gallon trash cans in the shower and fill them with water before the storm. This will give you 90 gallons of water for cooking and personal hygiene. You will also need water to manually flush your toilets (if you have a swimming pool, use that water). Bottled water is great for drinking, hydrating and toothbrushing, but you will need much more potable water if the municipal supply is compromised or broken.” – Sundance
Great advice! I would add if you don’t have a swimming pool or access to one and have two bathtubs fill the other tub full and that water can be used for flushing toilets and for the dogs to drink it won’t bother them. Godspeed Sundance and everyone in the path of Idalia!!!
And if toilets are not an option…one gallon freezer bags for#2…
#1 for guys…go behind a bush
#1_for gurls…two or three bushes back
Just contain #2…