Showing posts with label Hurricanes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hurricanes. Show all posts
Monday, October 29, 2012
Hurricane Sandy
Lets pray to keep all the people in the path of the storm safe. Many are now without power while many of struggling with flooding. Lets help each other in this time of trouble.
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Look at Isaac
The time hash in blue - 5PM Sat at the lower right is current location of TS Isaac.
Sunday, June 24, 2012
TS Debby
Update - As of 11am Eastern Time on June 26 TS Debby is proving why forecast prediction is still something of an art. Predicted landfall is now about 8am Eastern Time on Wednesday in Levy county Florida. North of Tampa and by 4pm Eastern will be passing north of Ocala. Does not look like any strengthening will occur before landfall.
But stay tuned.
Friday, August 26, 2011
Friday News
With Hurricane Irene seeming ready to take a swipe at Washington D.C. after the city was rattled by an earthquake, one would think there might be something to all those end time prophecies. People across the Eastern seaboard are preparing for this storm. In many places evacuation orders have been issued. Stay tuned to this developing story.
Meanwhile our competitors on the global stage, the Peoples Republic of China, is squawking most irately over the US Defense Department doing its job. The PRC is taking umbrage at the DoD for doing its job and daring to ask why mainland China is going on such an arms buildup. Though the story in the last paragraph is incorrect since on August 14th Taiwan was informed they would not be sold the 66 new F-16 fighters.
Also overseas, lets look at Libya. The dictator is gone and the rebel government seems to be in control. While the DoD is doing its job in regards to the PRC, it seems the State Department is whistling and hoping a problem will just go away. Namely who really controls in Libya the tons of mustard gas, the 1,300 tons of precursor chemicals, and the remnants of Libya's nuclear bomb program. State Department claims everything is fine, no need for alarm. The US and its allies had military forces in Baghdad and still the Iraqi museum was looted. In Libya there are no NATO forces anywhere, but we are supposed to believe all these known WMDs are safe. I just don't buy it, do you?
Meanwhile our competitors on the global stage, the Peoples Republic of China, is squawking most irately over the US Defense Department doing its job. The PRC is taking umbrage at the DoD for doing its job and daring to ask why mainland China is going on such an arms buildup. Though the story in the last paragraph is incorrect since on August 14th Taiwan was informed they would not be sold the 66 new F-16 fighters.
Also overseas, lets look at Libya. The dictator is gone and the rebel government seems to be in control. While the DoD is doing its job in regards to the PRC, it seems the State Department is whistling and hoping a problem will just go away. Namely who really controls in Libya the tons of mustard gas, the 1,300 tons of precursor chemicals, and the remnants of Libya's nuclear bomb program. State Department claims everything is fine, no need for alarm. The US and its allies had military forces in Baghdad and still the Iraqi museum was looted. In Libya there are no NATO forces anywhere, but we are supposed to believe all these known WMDs are safe. I just don't buy it, do you?
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Krewe of Fools
Stuck on stupid, let me count the ways when it comes to New Orleans. Does the blame lay with government people? Does it lay with some homeowners? Or is it a joint effort? You decide from this news story.
Incredible, the 17th Street Canal still needs work and Katrina is five years plus in the past? Then there are the families. Scary.Homeowners with backyards along the 17th Street Canal filed a civil suit in state court on Jan. 5 to stop the work because they claim that they own the land where the work will take place and that they have not been compensated for damage to their properties.
The Army Corps of Engineers plans to begin work soon to strengthen the floodwall and levee along the 17th Street Canal.
In the suit, seven families claim work crews would be trespassing. The suit stems from a dispute over whether backyards along the canal are part of the state's right of way or private land. So far, homeowners have lost their case in state court.
Tuesday, September 07, 2010
Random Bits
Vice President Al Gore is getting an environmental school named after him. Too bad it might be on contaminated ground. Synergy? Just what we need another Love Canal.
Speaking of windbags, Hermine is blowing ashore near Galveston, Texas.
And President Obama, deciding devoting less than 20% of the $787 billion stimulus is not enough, has proposed spending another $50 billion to make sure the US has the best roads and airports. No word if any of this money will go to Midway Airport to get it renamed Barrack Obama International Airport.
Newsweek, the propaganda organ that recently sold for $1, thinks all of America over-reacted to the attacks on 9/11. Lets ignore the smoking crater of Flight 93, the gaping wound where the Twin Towers used to be, and the almost 3,000 people murdered.
And oh yeah this morning Fox interviewed Eliza Griswold about her book The Tenth Parallel. Its about the clash of Christianity and Islam in Africa and Asia. She talks about there seems no resolution between Islam and Christianity. Though I am not sure how balanced this book is when she equates in this interview the random Christian on Christian violence as being equal to what Islam does. Plus the socialist loving types like Bishop Desmond Tutu praise the book. Or if we look up her name over at OpenSecrets to find a writer named Eliza Griswold donated $300 to the Obama campaign. And as far as I know, she has no relation to Chevy Chase's National Lampoon's Family Vacation.
Speaking of windbags, Hermine is blowing ashore near Galveston, Texas.
And President Obama, deciding devoting less than 20% of the $787 billion stimulus is not enough, has proposed spending another $50 billion to make sure the US has the best roads and airports. No word if any of this money will go to Midway Airport to get it renamed Barrack Obama International Airport.
Newsweek, the propaganda organ that recently sold for $1, thinks all of America over-reacted to the attacks on 9/11. Lets ignore the smoking crater of Flight 93, the gaping wound where the Twin Towers used to be, and the almost 3,000 people murdered.
And oh yeah this morning Fox interviewed Eliza Griswold about her book The Tenth Parallel. Its about the clash of Christianity and Islam in Africa and Asia. She talks about there seems no resolution between Islam and Christianity. Though I am not sure how balanced this book is when she equates in this interview the random Christian on Christian violence as being equal to what Islam does. Plus the socialist loving types like Bishop Desmond Tutu praise the book. Or if we look up her name over at OpenSecrets to find a writer named Eliza Griswold donated $300 to the Obama campaign. And as far as I know, she has no relation to Chevy Chase's National Lampoon's Family Vacation.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Taking Aim
It seems Tropical Storm Bonnie has mischief in mind with this probable storm track. By Sunday morning we may know if the oil cap holds.
As for this meme about it raining oil. Now please. Remember basic meteorology. It can rain because water evaporates and rise into the air, there it can condense, and then precipitate out as rain. So those who are peddling it raining oil expect the hydrocarbons that make up oil to evaporate, rise into the air, and then recombine to make oil again.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Is Time Running Out?
Judging by the forcasted path of Tropical Depression One, not yet. But Deepwater Horizon needs to be capped before time runs out. I don't think anyone really wants to find out how far inland a hurricane can sweep tar-balls ashore or if there is enough oil floating on the water that it will interrupt the heat pump of warm water that powers such a storm.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Katrina
Casino barge almost hits St. Michael's Catholic Church in Biloxi, MS.
Katrina damages last original McDonald's sign on Pass Rd outside Gate 7 Keesler AFB. The sign would later be completely torn down and replaced.
It has been four years since Hurricane Katrina slogged ashore cutting a swathe of destruction that reached from Mobile, AL to west of New Orleans, LA. The hardest hit sections would be along a stretch of coast from Ocean Springs, MS to New Orleans, LA.
1,836 people would lose their lives during this storm with another 705 missing. Tens of billions in dollars worth of damage would be inflicted. Whole communities vanished like Waveland, MS. In Biloxi, casino barges would break free and became battering rams for more destruction. In New Orleans the poorly designed levees would fail to Katrina's less than Category Three waves, flooding vast stretches of that city and repeating what happened with Hurricane Betty.
Lets remember all the lives lost and worlds destroyed just five short years ago. Like the grandmother I met at a shelter who was patiently cleaning of mud and sorting all the money she had been saving for her granddaughter that Katrina almost took away. Or another woman at the shelter trying to save all of her important documents like her diploma from the ravages of water and mud. I just hope they have picked up their lives and built anew.
News:
The Sun-Herald: Storm Brought Out Survivor's Spirit.
Remembering Hurricane Katrina events in the New Orleans area.
Eyewitness to Katrina.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Heroesof Hurricane Camille
As I was looking through the articles The Sun-Herald is running about Camille, I found in the photo-gallery something to truly pique my interest. One year after Camille devastated the Gulf Coast, seven members of the Mississippi Army National Guard were presented with the Soldier's Medal. The Soldier's Medal is won soley for acts of heroism not invovling actual combat with an enemy.
Here is one of the awards as extracted from General Order 1 from January 12, 1971.
Spec. Four Henry E. Letort, Mississippi Army National Guard, United States Army, who distinguished himself by heroism involving voluntary risk of life at Biloxi, Mississippi on 17 August 1969. ... voluntarily spurned the safety of shelter although superior officers had decreed the suspension of military evacuation duties pending abatement of the storm. As the driver threaded the vehicle through falling power lines, tumbling automobiles, and deadly flying missiles. ... With great physical strength and endurance, he collected people from trees, utility poles, wreckage, rooftops and attics, bringing them aboard the amphibian vehicle. ... proceeded to the rescue of two youths trapped in water, inside a house in imminent danger of being crushed by a severley weakened huge tree. Completing this rescue task and returning to his original station just prior to dawn, Specialist Letort had completed a full night of lifesaving rescue actions ... By his courageous action and humanitarian regard for his fellowman, in the dedication of his service to his country, Specialist Letort has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
Go read the other descriptions of heroism from the night Camille obliterated the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Brave men risking their lives to save others as the storm sought more victims.
Here is one of the awards as extracted from General Order 1 from January 12, 1971.
Spec. Four Henry E. Letort, Mississippi Army National Guard, United States Army, who distinguished himself by heroism involving voluntary risk of life at Biloxi, Mississippi on 17 August 1969. ... voluntarily spurned the safety of shelter although superior officers had decreed the suspension of military evacuation duties pending abatement of the storm. As the driver threaded the vehicle through falling power lines, tumbling automobiles, and deadly flying missiles. ... With great physical strength and endurance, he collected people from trees, utility poles, wreckage, rooftops and attics, bringing them aboard the amphibian vehicle. ... proceeded to the rescue of two youths trapped in water, inside a house in imminent danger of being crushed by a severley weakened huge tree. Completing this rescue task and returning to his original station just prior to dawn, Specialist Letort had completed a full night of lifesaving rescue actions ... By his courageous action and humanitarian regard for his fellowman, in the dedication of his service to his country, Specialist Letort has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
Go read the other descriptions of heroism from the night Camille obliterated the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Brave men risking their lives to save others as the storm sought more victims.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Camille at 40
On the evening of August 17th, 1969 Hurricane Camille came ashore between Pass Christian, MS and Long Beach, MS. By the time this storm had swept through and gone north, in a mere five hours it had assaulted the Mississippi Gulf Coast with estimated 200mph winds, torrential rains, and a storm surge that topped 24ft. Boats were swept inshore like the tug-boat that became the SS Hurricane Camille in Gulfport, in 2005 Hurricane Katrina would finish demolishing this tug and leave it a bent and battered hulk. St. Stanislaus High School in Bay St. Louis and Trinity Episcopal Church in Pass Christian vanished along with homes and lives. In some areas the tide of destruction would extend five miles inland and other areas only a few blocks.
Hurricane Camille killed 131 people on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi, three of whom have never been identified. These three women are buried in Gulfport and are simply known as Faith, Hope, and Charity. The last body recovered happened 31 days after landfall, again in Pass Christian, when debris was being cleared and an arm dangled from the shovel of earth-moving equipment. The body was that of 69 year old Violet McDonald. There are still 41 missing from this storm.
Camille would later cause more death and misery in the Virginas due to flash floods from its rains. Then finally the storm was out in the Atlantic Ocean and it finally petered out.
If you are down in Biloxi, MS on Hwy 90 and pass by the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, stop there. Before Katrina, located with the surviving brick bell tower of the church that Camille destroyed is the Hurricane Camille Memorial Wall listing the names of the deceased and missing in polished black granite - now only the memorial remains. All the names are cut in the granite panels that semi-surround a hurricane tableaux. And as you drive westward through Long Beach on Hwy 90, again St. Thomas Catholic Church is rising after being destroyed this time by Katrina. And when you cross the Bay of St. Louis on the way to places like Hollywood casino or the old pre-Interstate way into New Orleans, the bridge that survived Camille has been replaced by a newer bridge because of what Katrina wrought.
What's Online:
The Sun-Herald on the 40th.
Harrison County Library System.
Camille's Fury Remembered.
Books:
The Hurricane and Its Impact, 1981, Dr. Robert H. Simpson and Dr. Herbert Riehl, LSU Press, Baton Rouge and London, 398 pages. ISBN 0-8071-0688-7.
Hurricane Camille: Monster Storm of the Gulf Coast, 2004, Philip D Hearn, Universtiry Press of Mississippi, Jackson, 233 pages. ISBN 1-57806-655-7
Hurricane Camille killed 131 people on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi, three of whom have never been identified. These three women are buried in Gulfport and are simply known as Faith, Hope, and Charity. The last body recovered happened 31 days after landfall, again in Pass Christian, when debris was being cleared and an arm dangled from the shovel of earth-moving equipment. The body was that of 69 year old Violet McDonald. There are still 41 missing from this storm.
Camille would later cause more death and misery in the Virginas due to flash floods from its rains. Then finally the storm was out in the Atlantic Ocean and it finally petered out.
If you are down in Biloxi, MS on Hwy 90 and pass by the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, stop there. Before Katrina, located with the surviving brick bell tower of the church that Camille destroyed is the Hurricane Camille Memorial Wall listing the names of the deceased and missing in polished black granite - now only the memorial remains. All the names are cut in the granite panels that semi-surround a hurricane tableaux. And as you drive westward through Long Beach on Hwy 90, again St. Thomas Catholic Church is rising after being destroyed this time by Katrina. And when you cross the Bay of St. Louis on the way to places like Hollywood casino or the old pre-Interstate way into New Orleans, the bridge that survived Camille has been replaced by a newer bridge because of what Katrina wrought.
What's Online:
The Sun-Herald on the 40th.
Harrison County Library System.
Camille's Fury Remembered.
Books:
The Hurricane and Its Impact, 1981, Dr. Robert H. Simpson and Dr. Herbert Riehl, LSU Press, Baton Rouge and London, 398 pages. ISBN 0-8071-0688-7.
Hurricane Camille: Monster Storm of the Gulf Coast, 2004, Philip D Hearn, Universtiry Press of Mississippi, Jackson, 233 pages. ISBN 1-57806-655-7
Saturday, August 15, 2009
TS Ana
At 0500 Atlantic Standard Time this morning, Tropical Depression Two became Tropical Storm Ana [Ah-na], the first named storm of the 2009 hurricane season. It is tracking westward at 16 mph with strengthening expected. Five day forecast could place it anywhere south of Havana Cuba to as far north as Jacksonville FL. So stay tuned.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
TD Two
Well we might see a tropical storm this hurricane season if tropical depression two survives the strong upper winds that have been shearing possible storms. The depression is still far out in the Atlantic and chances of US landfall are very slim.
If this depression strengthens into a tropical storm it will be named Anna. I am not honoured, really not.
If this depression strengthens into a tropical storm it will be named Anna. I am not honoured, really not.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Joyeaux Milestone
This morning the newspaper of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, the Sun-Herald, printed some truly good news. The last FEMA trailer park in the three coastal counties: Jackson, Hancock, and Harrison, has closed down.
Things haven't been always good with these trailers. With slow deliveries, trailers breaking down, criminal activity in the parks, and an odious reputation. But it is another sign of recovery that these parks are now closed ahead of schedule.
Things haven't been always good with these trailers. With slow deliveries, trailers breaking down, criminal activity in the parks, and an odious reputation. But it is another sign of recovery that these parks are now closed ahead of schedule.
Monday, September 01, 2008
More on Gustav
Just talked with family still on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. They saw some heavy rain last night with winds. This morning, gusts of wind and some more rain. No damage to report and they still have power.
Biloxi is reporting wind gusts over 40mph. Pass Christian is just reporting a few trees down and some water on Highway 90. Waveland has a tornado warning posted.
Landfall of the eye is still a little bit away. Gustav has lost some wind speed, down to 110mph and Category 2. Looks like the eye will hit south of Galliano. Speed of the storm is still reported at 16mph. Please Gustav keep zipping on by.
Update 0915Central. Locally the conditions are overcast. Higher clouds I see scooting west about 20mph. Getting gusts of wind, perhaps 15mph tops. Plus a very lite sprinkle of rain. Everything is very quiet, even the animals are silent.
Biloxi is reporting wind gusts over 40mph. Pass Christian is just reporting a few trees down and some water on Highway 90. Waveland has a tornado warning posted.
Landfall of the eye is still a little bit away. Gustav has lost some wind speed, down to 110mph and Category 2. Looks like the eye will hit south of Galliano. Speed of the storm is still reported at 16mph. Please Gustav keep zipping on by.
Update 0915Central. Locally the conditions are overcast. Higher clouds I see scooting west about 20mph. Getting gusts of wind, perhaps 15mph tops. Plus a very lite sprinkle of rain. Everything is very quiet, even the animals are silent.
Gustav Impending Landfall
The estimated time of landfall has gotten earlier than last night, now it is expected to be 10:00AM Central time. Location is about the same as last night, Plaquemines or Lafourche Parishes. More good news is the strength of the winds has stayed at 115mph and not picked up. And it is still moving fast at 16mph. It looks like Gustav is going to rush ashore as a weak Category 3. I am watching the NWS radar from New Orleans and seeing the rain bands swirl around the eye. All of the Alabama coast is under Tornado Warnings. So the folks who decided to stay in the coastal areas are getting hit with tropical storm winds of upto 39mph while the southwestern tip of Louisiana are already being hammered by hurricane force winds.
It is good that roughly 90% to 95% of the residents of New Orleans have left the city since the lakes and levees to the east of the city are going to get hit by the strong storm surge and winds of Gustav. The Big Easy is probably in the fight for its life more so today than during Katrina. Time will tell, hope I am wrong and the rebuilt levees hold and so to the pumping stations. Remember the workers who are staying at their posts to make sure the pumps run. Pray for the police, Guard, and first responders who are hunkered down all across the Gulf Coast. And for those people who decided to stayed put, which includes my family members, you know I am praying for you while wishing you had gotten out even when it was not mandatory because all of you wisely don't live in the flood zones.
It is good that roughly 90% to 95% of the residents of New Orleans have left the city since the lakes and levees to the east of the city are going to get hit by the strong storm surge and winds of Gustav. The Big Easy is probably in the fight for its life more so today than during Katrina. Time will tell, hope I am wrong and the rebuilt levees hold and so to the pumping stations. Remember the workers who are staying at their posts to make sure the pumps run. Pray for the police, Guard, and first responders who are hunkered down all across the Gulf Coast. And for those people who decided to stayed put, which includes my family members, you know I am praying for you while wishing you had gotten out even when it was not mandatory because all of you wisely don't live in the flood zones.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Gustav Update
The winds just briefly gusted over the house and the first spatter of rain from Hurricane Gustav was observed.
Since I am over 150 miles from the coastline, think of all the people further south. Especially those who who had to stay as first responders. And those who are now in shelters all across the south.
Predicted landfall is still set for 11am Central time tommorow. Stay tuned.
Since I am over 150 miles from the coastline, think of all the people further south. Especially those who who had to stay as first responders. And those who are now in shelters all across the south.
Predicted landfall is still set for 11am Central time tommorow. Stay tuned.
Mississippi Status
All low lying areas in coastal Mississippi are under mandatory evacuation.
For information on these areas: Harrison Country web-site.
I55 and I59 are now in contraflow leading into Mississippi.
For information on these areas: Harrison Country web-site.
I55 and I59 are now in contraflow leading into Mississippi.
New Orleans - Nagin
Mayor Ray Nagin just had a press conference. Some highlights.
Bus pickups will officially end at noon for evacuees. They will continue bus runs to pick up stragglers until 2pm.
He is expecting the storm to strengthen back to Category 4 and move fast, though he is worried it will stall or shift to the east of projected landfall. If it moves fast, think smash and grab - briefly intense but not potentially fatal as it moves on. If Gustav stalls, smash and loot that will more than likely overwhelm the pumping stations and New Orleans floods. Actually Nagin is a bit wrong to worry about a landfall shift to the east since that would cause the north-east quadrant waves to shift further east also, so the waves would slam into Katrina devastated Waveland and Bay St. Louis and not the fragile New Orleans levees.
Starting at dusk today, a curfew will be imposed - dusk to dawn. Violate curfew, lockup - just not the big house like looters.
Looters will be swiftly locked up in the big house - Angola. No word yet on how many NOPD will join them in the cells ala Katrina.
Nursing home evacuations seem to have gone off successfully except for one nursing home. Gee that is freaking smart, remember how many died after Katrina at one nursing home. Bet a lot of families are taking their elderly out anyway from that place.
News Orleans is under a mandatory evacuation, both banks of the river.
Police and National Guard have been assigned sectors of the city to patrol.
Overall, this time Nagin seemed to be effective. And judging by how jammed some of the roads are, people are taking no chances either. Good for them. Be safe and may your homes be there when you get back.
Bus pickups will officially end at noon for evacuees. They will continue bus runs to pick up stragglers until 2pm.
He is expecting the storm to strengthen back to Category 4 and move fast, though he is worried it will stall or shift to the east of projected landfall. If it moves fast, think smash and grab - briefly intense but not potentially fatal as it moves on. If Gustav stalls, smash and loot that will more than likely overwhelm the pumping stations and New Orleans floods. Actually Nagin is a bit wrong to worry about a landfall shift to the east since that would cause the north-east quadrant waves to shift further east also, so the waves would slam into Katrina devastated Waveland and Bay St. Louis and not the fragile New Orleans levees.
Starting at dusk today, a curfew will be imposed - dusk to dawn. Violate curfew, lockup - just not the big house like looters.
Looters will be swiftly locked up in the big house - Angola. No word yet on how many NOPD will join them in the cells ala Katrina.
Nursing home evacuations seem to have gone off successfully except for one nursing home. Gee that is freaking smart, remember how many died after Katrina at one nursing home. Bet a lot of families are taking their elderly out anyway from that place.
News Orleans is under a mandatory evacuation, both banks of the river.
Police and National Guard have been assigned sectors of the city to patrol.
Overall, this time Nagin seemed to be effective. And judging by how jammed some of the roads are, people are taking no chances either. Good for them. Be safe and may your homes be there when you get back.
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