Tropical Storm Claudette

Tropical storm warning issued for Florida Panhandle (see FORECAST TRACKS) - UPDATE - The News Herald

looks as though we could have some wind and rain, folks.

That was fast - last night it was Invest -something and this morning it's a depression, they are saying it should be a storm before it makes landfall.

from the excellent www.crownweather.com [bold emphasis added]:

Radar and satellite imagery over the last 12 to 18 hours indicate that the disturbance in the eastern Gulf of Mexico has become much better organized and is now considered a Tropical Depression.

The excellent radar presentation and deep convection seen on satellite imagery indicates to me that this will be upgraded to Tropical Storm Claudette probably as early as late this morning. Overall wind shear is quite low and the intensity guidance from SHIPS, LGEM, HWRF and GFDL all indicate that this storm will make landfall as a 50 to 60 mph tropical storm this evening on the Florida Panhandle between Destin and Panama City.

With that said, I am concerned that with the low shear and downright hot Gulf of Mexico waters that more rapid strengthening is possible than what is being forecast. So, folks along the Florida Panhandle should keep very close tabs on this system and in my opinion make preparations for a high end Tropical Storm or a low end Category 1 Hurricane. (65 to 80 mph).

Thanks for update!!

G

What the ...? So the Pizza Bar is out tonight?

I feel like we brought this one with us, sorry guys.

What the ...? So the Pizza Bar is out tonight?

I feel like we brought this one with us, sorry guys.

Kind of late to board up? How fast does the wind have to be before you jump into action?

We board up for a category three and more.

While the NHC never officially downplays a storm, if there's a lack of the phrase ' PREPARATIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY SHOULD BE RUSHED TO COMPLETION.' in the public advisories, it's usually a sign that they expect a storm to be more messy than dangerous. And no signs of that message in the first advisory for this one.

My guess is that it'll be maybe slightly more intense than TD 10 in 2007, and he big question about that one was whether the night's high school football games should be cancelled/postponed. (About half the games went off as scheduled even though there was a tropical storm warning up)

Dog tranqiuliizers: check!

We board up for a category three and more.

Good advice franny

That was fast - last night it was Invest -something and this morning it's a depression, they are saying it should be a storm before it makes landfall.

Dr Masters reminds us on his blog on Welcome to Weather Underground : Weather Underground that a recent hurricane grew to a Hurricane in less than 24 hours from being a storm, and it made landfall nearly as quick.

Trust me, nature doesn't run on the schedule of man, and though what worked in the past for us, such as boarding up for a predicted Cat 3 Hurricane, may not work in the future, as these intense storms can change without notice, and we may not have time to react.

For those who have not been through this sort of thing before, for what it is worth, Rapunzel and I slept through Tropical Storm Cindy (which some claim had category 1 strength when it hit land) when we lived in New Orleans (2005). Didn't even lose power. No need to panic, just be ready to go without electricity for awhile and make sure your cars are not in a flood prone area nor under trees.

If you are well-prepared, there is no reason to panic. Problem is -- most people are not prepared at all for emergencies, and when something traumatic does happen, panic sets in rapidly. Personally, I don't like the idea of hot humid weather with no a/c for sleeping.

If you are well-prepared, there is no reason to panic. Problem is -- most people are not prepared at all for emergencies, and when something traumatic does happen, panic sets in rapidly. Personally, I don't like the idea of hot humid weather with no a/c for sleeping.

I found a $99 solution to that. Home Depot has small ACs that will cool one room really nicely and will work off a generator. Have one stashed in the box with our generator.

I'm really freaking out. This is my first tropical weather since the storm that shall not be named...and I used to look forward to sitting in a window and watching the tropical storms roll through.

Can anyone confirm or refute Skunky's assertion that there is no danger of a storm surge?

I'm really freaking out. This is my first tropical weather since the storm that shall not be named...and I used to look forward to sitting in a window and watching the tropical storms roll through.

Can anyone confirm or refute Skunky's assertion that there is no danger of a storm surge?

Seriously Skunky -- it's your job to be the calm one. At least pretend that you are.

I'm really freaking out. This is my first tropical weather since the storm that shall not be named...and I used to look forward to sitting in a window and watching the tropical storms roll through.

Can anyone confirm or refute Skunky's assertion that there is no danger of a storm surge?

Rapunzel- log out and log back in as you.

I'm really freaking out. This is my first tropical weather since the storm that shall not be named...and I used to look forward to sitting in a window and watching the tropical storms roll through.

Can anyone confirm or refute Skunky's assertion that there is no danger of a storm surge?

In case anyone is confused, Rapunzel posted the above

Rapunzel- log out and log back in as you.

...I knew it.

If my ICF house were finished I would not give a care - also because we would be at a good elevation and would have total backup from our solar system. But a Destin apartment? Hmmmm not so sure..

Keep the info coming!

Thanks
G

Florida Division of Emergency Management page:

Florida Division of Emergency Management - State Emergency Operations Center

They're currently at Level 3 (not activated)

In case anyone is confused, Rapunzel posted the above

It's a shame that you don't have any medications to "deal" with her.....;-)


BTW...recon is reporting 68mph gust from our French Wench.....

In case anyone is confused, Rapunzel posted the above

OMG I must be on the verge of becoming a local, I knew that wasnt you too!

Claudette: A windy rainstorm with some local flooding, erosion, and possible power outages--but this can happens with just a regular front that moves thru.

Of couse be prepared and cognizant for you and yours. Just do not get hysterical.

I'm really freaking out. This is my first tropical weather since the storm that shall not be named...and I used to look forward to sitting in a window and watching the tropical storms roll through.

Can anyone confirm or refute Skunky's assertion that there is no danger of a storm surge?

For Punzy via Skunky...

I would side with Skunky on this one and say you guys should be "a ok" from storm surge. Sowal may get 3 ft or so (probably less), but a little storm surge could actually help the beach build up elevation as the water will just reach the toe of the dunes in most areas. I was just saying when I drove the beach last week how it would be good to have a small TS to push some of the nearshore sand onto the beach and some of the frontal beach to the dunes. This storm looks to be just what I was hoping for and will offer more protection from larger storms if there are any later this year.

On the other hand, it may not be a good thing for the multiple turtle nests that are out there. We will have to wait and see.

What are the expected winds from Claudette? Dr. Steve Lyons said it is going to come ashore near Destin and it looked like he was pointing to Walton Co.