Tropical Storm Claudette

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.

As of now around 25--35 with gusts to 50. Sowal will see the majority of the wind from around 5pm-8:30 or 9, but it will still be gusty until midnight.

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.

...thank you, Hurricane Helper Hero!

I never get too worried until I see Jim Cantore.

Update from the EOC regarding Tropical Storm Claudette.

Press Release
Tropical Storm Claudette Update
DeFuniak Springs, FL (August 16, 2009) –

Today, the National Weather Service and the Florida Emergency Operation’s Center held a telephone conference with the county EOC directors statewide concerning the latest information on Tropical Storm Claudette, currently south-southeast of Apalachicola.

The system is moving at a fast clip around 14 miles-per-hour, and is expected to make landfall late tonight, or early Monday morning. At this time, it’s believed the heaviest rainfall will be from Cape San Blas in Gulf County moving eastward into the Big Bend region. It could bring 10 or more inches of precipitation where it moves on shore, other areas along the Gulf Coast could see a storm surge of 3-to-5 feet.

Walton County’s EOC Director, Captain Mike Barker, expects the system to bring heavy rainfall to the Western Panhandle. At this time, the EOC is at partial activation with partial staff in place. The county’s EOC Office is under the direction of Walton County Sheriff Michael A. Adkinson, Jr.

Captain Barker would like to remind motorists that the Clyde B. Wells Bridge on Highway 331 is open to traffic. The bridge would close if sustained winds reach at least 40 miles per hour.

Captain Barker says “the weather system will bring additional rainfall, and higher surf may create some beach erosion, but he hopes that it’ll not cause any major problems for the residents here”. Captain Barker says this is a good time to remind residents to be aware of possibly changing weather conditions for later this week.

There’s Tropical Storm Ana nearing the Leeward Islands with winds of around 40 miles per hour, and Tropical Storm Bill gained strength in the open Atlantic with winds of around 60 miles per hour. Tropical Storm Bill could be named a hurricane by tomorrow. Officials remind the public it’s never too early to prepare for a hurricane.

If anyone is interested in such, we just drove by Ballyhoo and they are having a storm party, 2 for 1 drinks

Kind of like what Captain Barker said above, the only thing that would worry me would be if I was working or whatever down here and lived north of the bridge, in the event the winds caused EOC to close the bridge. If I still lived north of the Bay, I'd be chomping at the bit to go home, because I have crossed the bridge with much lower winds and had trouble keeping it on the road. I can't imagine going across with sustained 40+.

This one doesn't worry me (famous last words). I just wish it would hurry up and get on with it before it gets dark.

update - Dr. Steve Lyons just said "weakening" :roll:

Where is the storm? It is sunny here.

Here's how Tropical Storm Claudette's rainbands look at about 5 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 16, 2009 from the beach at Eastern Lake looking east toward Panama City Beach. We had some rain earlier. It is low tide and lake is barely closed.




Sand dunes and seaoats near Sugar Dunes access at Eastern Lake. Lowtide and surf for TS Claudette, 8-16-09 5 p.m. Looking SW.

I drove down by myself to make sure that windows and doors are locked and pool/patio furniture is secured.

Now I am hungry. Pizza Bar is closing and Barefoot BBQ doesn't answer the phone. I am skeered! I cleared out the junk in the garage so I can protect the car.

Claudette

How is the weather down in SOWAL? I am in ATL for a few days...
Thanks.

It's nice right now, Just overcast. Nothing skeery. But restaurants are closing down.

According to the hurricane guy on TWC, the storm appears to be weakening.

It's nice right now, Just overcast. Nothing skeery. But restaurants are closing down.

WOW, Which ones?
Thanks

*cough* jfunn?

I'm liking this website for tracking the storm, though I wish it weren't so darned colorful... go away big ghost storm, go away.

Radar : Weather Underground

I was kinda hoping for a nice cleansing storm, and we got nuthin' here. Dunelaker posted a pretty current representation of just a windy summer evening. That's it. But we're liable to have a interesting week or two...

Hmmm. Seagrove Beach in Walton County just mentioned on The Weather Channel. 6:51 p.m. CST TWC just said the storm had turned north and headed for Seagrove Beach rather than its more direct westerly direction. Still not raining here. Sort of reminds me of TS Harry which hit at night. I hope it doesn't gain any intensity like Harry did some years back. I'm heading out to watch a nice sunset.

If anyone is interested in such, we just drove by Ballyhoo and they are having a storm party, 2 for 1 drinks

My interest is....where is ballyhoo?

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.

Steve Lyons just said Claudette has taken a more northerly turn now pointing it toward Seagrove Beach. I hope Ana is already gone by the end of this week. We are due in the following Friday at the beach. St. George Island was one place we were going to visit, hopefully there won't be much damage from Claudette there. They are showing two different projected paths for Ana, and Bill looks like it is projected to stay along the Atlantic, but it could be a Cat 3 by landfall.

Is it really windy? If anyone passes by Casa Scooterbug, if you could take the hanging plants on the porch down, that would be great!

Is it really windy? If anyone passes by Casa Scooterbug, if you could take the hanging plants on the porch down, that would be great!

It's picking up! Windy and sorta chilly, little bits of rain coming in ... very exciting.

Too Far Tampa: are you in Seagrove or Tampa?

Not windy, yet. But, at 7:05 p.m. had this random rush of a breeze. Waves have picked up somewhat, too. Can just see the beach and the foam from the waves in a darkening, gloomy sky. I think I have someone to check on your plants, Scooty. BTW was TWC's Jim Cantore in Panama City Beach about 15 minutes ago? Wonder if he'll come over to Alys Beach in South Walton for the evening. What was that thread about him visiting Alys Beach a little while ago for recreational purposes, I believe.

Too Far Tampa: are you in Seagrove or Tampa?

Sorry. Seacrest!

WOW, Which ones?
Thanks

Pizza Bar. Barefoot BBQ. Third call was to Bruno's. They are open. I got a small Mexican. ;-)