Thank you. I learned my first year here in Punta Gorda after seeing the crowds when Erika was predicted to come this way. Thankfully she fizzled out but I decided after that to stay prepared all through the season. I keep in meds, batteries, water bottles (30 one gallon bottles empty until near a storm) battery operated lights, several power chargers, nonperishable food, etc and the gas tank is kept filled well ahead of any storm that may come this way. I have several plans if need to evacuate. I will never be caught like that again. There are still two blocks downtown with no buildings on them left from Charley and I have seen the vids of it. Nope, not playing silly games with those things.
Now that Gaston has formed, the next name to be used will be Hermine, if it indeed forms. If this forms, it likely is going close to the Panhandle. It would look like Tampa to Panama City may need to pay attention to this one. So should Cedar Key. That would only be preliminary. Time will tell. If the European is correct, could this go EAST of the Appilichians and give some steady rain to New York State? Again, time will tell; that's days away, but if anyone has any travel plans for around October1st, that's something. to keep in mind. If it goes WEST of the Appilachians, not much rain to be expected, if at all, for new York State. I will tend to go with the WEST of the Appilichians for now.
I'm keeping an eye on it as though it doesn't seem it will hit my area I'm not that far south of Tampa so taking no chances on ignoring it. Wish it would just head straight across into the Pacific as I know it won't die in the Caribbean or Gulf, too warm. It looks like this season is going to make up for its slow start.
It can't go to the Pacific; because a trough will pull it northward. I couldn't rule out a possible westward shift into New Orleans, but the latest guidance favors a Panhandle track. So, if this storm even forms, that's how I would play it right now, Laura.
Yes, the eye or whatever this entity becomes, the center, will pass you by, and the latest run from 8 P.M. last evening did show it a bit more westward and favoring a New Orleans track, if this storm even forms. If it does, and if we get a major Cat 3 or 4 toward New Orleans, we're looking at a Rita or Katrina type storm all over again. It's a scary track, knowing what Katrina did, and how it spiked our gas prices. This MAY happen all over again, Laura. I would fill up the car with the cheapest gas NOW, Laura, just in case 1) the prices spike and 2) just in case you do need to evacuate. The possibility of evacuation is probably less likely than the gas price spike, but I would prepare for BOTH scenarios if I were you.
As of this morning, there has been a model shift back eastward away from NOLA, with the GFS being the only holdout for a westward solution. This is good news for the oil rigs and for NOLA, but maybe not so good news for western Florida. We will just have to stay tuned on this one, Laura, to see how things play out over the weekend.
Thank you. I learned my first year here in Punta Gorda after seeing the crowds when Erika was predicted to come this way. Thankfully she fizzled out but I decided after that to stay prepared all through the season. I keep in meds, batteries, water bottles (30 one gallon bottles empty until near a storm) battery operated lights, several power chargers, nonperishable food, etc and the gas tank is kept filled well ahead of any storm that may come this way. I have several plans if need to evacuate. I will never be caught like that again. There are still two blocks downtown with no buildings on them left from Charley and I have seen the vids of it. Nope, not playing silly games with those things.
Now that Gaston has formed, the next name to be used will be Hermine, if it indeed forms. If this forms, it likely is going close to the Panhandle. It would look like Tampa to Panama City may need to pay attention to this one. So should Cedar Key. That would only be preliminary. Time will tell. If the European is correct, could this go EAST of the Appilichians and give some steady rain to New York State? Again, time will tell; that's days away, but if anyone has any travel plans for around October1st, that's something. to keep in mind. If it goes WEST of the Appilachians, not much rain to be expected, if at all, for new York State. I will tend to go with the WEST of the Appilichians for now.
I'm keeping an eye on it as though it doesn't seem it will hit my area I'm not that far south of Tampa so taking no chances on ignoring it. Wish it would just head straight across into the Pacific as I know it won't die in the Caribbean or Gulf, too warm. It looks like this season is going to make up for its slow start.
It can't go to the Pacific; because a trough will pull it northward. I couldn't rule out a possible westward shift into New Orleans, but the latest guidance favors a Panhandle track. So, if this storm even forms, that's how I would play it right now, Laura.
Well, I feel sorry for those wherever it hits but can't help feeling grateful it looks like it will pass me by.
Yes, the eye or whatever this entity becomes, the center, will pass you by, and the latest run from 8 P.M. last evening did show it a bit more westward and favoring a New Orleans track, if this storm even forms. If it does, and if we get a major Cat 3 or 4 toward New Orleans, we're looking at a Rita or Katrina type storm all over again. It's a scary track, knowing what Katrina did, and how it spiked our gas prices. This MAY happen all over again, Laura. I would fill up the car with the cheapest gas NOW, Laura, just in case 1) the prices spike and 2) just in case you do need to evacuate. The possibility of evacuation is probably less likely than the gas price spike, but I would prepare for BOTH scenarios if I were you.
As of this morning, there has been a model shift back eastward away from NOLA, with the GFS being the only holdout for a westward solution. This is good news for the oil rigs and for NOLA, but maybe not so good news for western Florida. We will just have to stay tuned on this one, Laura, to see how things play out over the weekend.
Rats, not good.