So what changes the path of one of those things? Physical topography, differences in thermal masses, jet stream? Thought it was topography, but I’m not sure.
My favorite site for tracking tropical storms.
(Storms=Great surf!)
http://www.wunderground.com/tropical/
Catagories to peruse;
•Tracking Map
•Public Advisory
•Coordinates
•WunderMap™
•Satellite
•Discussion
•Computer Models
•Interactive Flash Map
We’re getting slammed right now. 39mph sustained winds, I suspect we will lose power before noon. Our neighbours have a hundred foot tulip poplar that is dying, it’s leaning in our direction. We expect 60mph sustained winds by noon. The generator tested out fine yesterday so at least we won’t have another two weeks without power like we did with Isabel. We have a small cell that has produced tornadoes just to the south that will hit here in a few moments.
I do. Whattaya want?
Too late for us the roof is leaking, can’t believe we still have power.
We actually got a robocall from the power company yesterday telling us to plan on having no power for three days. They’re finally just coming out and admitting they’re incompetent.
Not much here yet, but they’re saying showtime is still an hour or two away.
A tree just went through the roof of an apartment building in our city a few moments ago, a young girl is missing. We have water coming through the door and window seams. I’m making a pot of tea, we need it. We think the fire in the Dismal Swamp maybe out so that’s some good news.
It’s due here overnight and all day tomorrow. Our street is under a mandatory evacuation order (flood zone), but everyone is staying put. I guess no one can bring themselves to go back to high school (where the shelter is). Across the road at Mystic Seaport they’re literally battening down the hatches.
It’s an ill wind…
Are you volunteering to be the linesman who climbs up poles and dodges live wires to repair damage in the middle of a hurricane?
Volunteers don’t get paid.
I do have to wonder about a system that has that as the only option for repair though. I mean I can rewire a lamp while it is plugged in, but the practice is usually not good form.
I think it was a couple of weeks ago that I went through that very experience for the first time in all memory, myself. Not the door (I’m in an apartment), but the windows were no match for the combination of steady, high, one-directional wind pressure against my side of the building and extremely heavy rain. The rainwater was pushed through the shut windows and pouring - pouring - over their sills into the rooms by the gallon. I’d never, ever seen the like, and that wasn’t even a hurricane. But I imagine the effect was not dissimilar.
True, being taken totally by surprise and in a panic about it I didn’t even think to shut the storm panes, which I’m sure might’ve helped, at least some. Fortunately the event didn’t last much longer than an hour, if that. But still. It was awesome, in an unpleasant sort of way.
They do when it’s a hazardous duty.
“Incompetent” doesn’t seem entirely fair, Charlie. Not when we already know we live with an above-ground electrical infrastructure that’s subject to weather, and an antiquating power grid.
I’ve been through two Cat-2 hurricanes and several ice-storms, all of which brought the power down for days, no surprise. Forewarning seems at least marginally helpful.
Do they? They don’t over here. There are some amazing volunteer coastguard types that risk their lives in all sorts of weathers for nothing. For instance. They fairly often die in saving others. They are better humans than me.
← Obviously.
Bloody frogs.
… oh, and the lifeboat people of course. Similar job. Risk of life every time you’re called. On call 24/7. Holidays must be notified in advance. No pay. I’m in awe of these people.
Meanwhile, back on-topic, I hope all you guys out there are OK.
I’m complaining about the management and policymakers, not the boots on the ground. The folks at the top have a track record of inadequate line maintenance, little planning for foreseen disasters, and a ho-hum attitude toward those who lose power for a week at a time. Despite high rates charged, their uptime record is horrible compared to utilities in neighboring areas and to utilities nationwide.
If it wasn’t for a recently injured shoulder, I would have been out there with a chainsaw helping cut a tree that had fallen over across the road and power lines in the next block.
Fortunately the storm really didn’t amount to much here.
Ahh, you’ve touched on another of my pet peeves. I know it’s expensive, but I really think that areas as densely populated and wooded as this one should have buried utilities. It’s a lot of money up front, but I think it would be worth the investment. It really cheeses me off when We have no power for three days, but I see the neighborhood across the street all lit up. It was developed just a few years after my house was built, but it’s a subdivision, and my neighborhood was developed over decades.