Hurricane Irma strengthening in the Atlantic

So how many people are going to be stuck in their cars during this thing? That's one of the worst places to be.

a reply to: roadgravel

Further west could be really really bad for Tampa Bay and the storm surge.

Found a live stream for Mallory Square. Conditions are deteorating

a reply to: jadedANDcynical

Living in south central Texas and having ridden through quite a few of these, I pretty well versed in this stuff.

We got a huge break with Harvey in my area (fairy near the eye). Family and friends in Houston, not so. I did get to experience the Allision flood and take neighbors by boat to high ground. Harvey was even worse.

As far as surge, remember what happened to Gilcrest in Rita.

New advisory, same wind speed but pressure is falling. The discussion is more the same. The expect the NW to NNW turn later tonight.

5:00 PM EDT Sat Sep 9
Location: 23.4°N 80.5°W
Moving: WNW at 9 mph
Min pressure: 933 mb
Max sustained: 125 mph

a reply to: jrod

That pressure change might ramp up the winds again pretty quickly. It was surprising to see how fast Harvey grew in warm water.

a reply to: roadgravel

That was shocking with Harvey intensifying til landfall. I think the GFS was predicted a 30mb drop in pressure(from 940mb)

Another boat neighbor, Mike is doing youtube broadcasts. I am more concerned about him because his arrogance could really get him into trouble out there. At least Gary is broadcasting on 104.9, The X, from a Cat 5 rated building well above sea level.

a reply to: jrod

The Xb from a Cat 5 rated building well above sea level.

I figured the station would be in a very secure building. I imagine they have storm shutters for the glass.

A coconut to the noggin wouldn't be too cool.

The Keys are now experiencing tropical storm conditions. Getting rough now

originally posted by: jrod
At least Gary is broadcasting on 104.9, The X, from a Cat 5 rated building well above sea level.

How well above sea level?
I thought the Keys were pretty much flat.

Could the station survive a 10ft surge????

a reply to: alphabetaone

Well yes of course, if we can build it to last then that is the best outcome because no $$$$$$$$$$ to rebuild again and again and again, over and over and over.

leolady

wxkw radio google maps

Link

a reply to: DontTreadOnMe

15 ft or so. 18 ft is the highest point. Much higher than the rest of the Keys. He is broadcasting from a house, at least I think he is.

There are a few hills in Key West. Hemingway's house even has a basement.

The storm still has not made a turn to the north. The satellite appears to show Irma interacting with the trough. I think most of the experts expect the turn within hours.

They have been a little off with the forecasts and Irma has tracked a bit further west than expected. What we do not want to see is SW winds(SE quadrant) in Tampa Bay...that will cause devasting and potentially catastrophic surge.

The further west she goes, the more likely it will happen.

Well I'd say about thirty percent of the homes here by the stadium are covering their windows with wood or metal . I see some me people using pallets, fencing, mattresses against the inside ect...
It's going to be a doozy. The wind is now staying constant here in Tampa, but we still got the sun. I think I will stop by Ben t Davis beach and get a sunset shot

Well, the Key West cams are winking out one by one.

As well, one of the live chats there was a large conversation in Arabic praising Allah for his punishment of the Infidels.

Buck

Almost no aircraft activity in Florida now. There's a NOAA Lockhead WP-3D Orion flying east of Tampa but it's on its way back from looking it Irma.

EDIT: That one landed at Lakeland. There's a NOAA Gulfstream in the air over the gulf at 45k feet. Its been flying for over 7 hours and has circled Irma according to its flown path.

originally posted by: flatbush71
Well, the Key West cams are winking out one by one.

As well, one of the live chats there was a large conversation in Arabic praising Allah for his punishment of the Infidels.

Buck

You speak Arabic?

Shouldn't it have made its turn north by now?

Current position. It's been hugging the Cuban keys all day

NHC

originally posted by: LogicalGraphitti
Almost no aircraft activity in Florida now. There's a NOAA Lockhead WP-3D Orion flying east of Tampa but it's on its way back from looking it Irma.

EDIT: That one landed at Lakeland. There's a NOAA Gulfstream in the air over the gulf at 45k feet. Its been flying for over 7 hours and has circled Irma according to its flown path.

Yes that must be odd. I recall that happening on 9-11. I live near an airport

hope that means an update is soon from the hurricane hunter aircraft

originally posted by: violet
Shouldn't it have made its turn north by now?

Current position. It's been hugging the Cuban keys all day
NHC

I'm starting to worry that it won't turn soon enough. We don't want that thing getting into open water in the gulf and picking up speed again.

I have believed it would be further west given it's movement the last day. But the tracks have been quite accurate this year so who knows.