Hurricane Gustav

I have several Russian friends who are very sensitive. I am just trying to look out for them.

I don't have any russian friends, but I went to a wedding in Sweden so I can't say anything bad about them either.

Just a quick question, what category was Ivan? We got wind driven rain damage with Ivan and I, worried

Ivan was a Cat 3 hurricane when it hit Gulf Shores.

Maybe a silly question but how far does one need to go to off the coast to get to safety?

Maybe a silly question but how far does one need to go to off the coast to get to safety?

Not a silly question at all.

Growing up in Andalusia (approx. 65 - 70 miles from coast), we felt the effects of hurricanes and tropical storms all the time. Major wind damage, trees uprooted; terrifying at times. All the motels were full with evacuees.

Depending on the storm category, I would at least travel that distance or further north, based on my experience.

Now now Minnie,
Hurricanes have a right to be here just like rattle snakes, coyotes and scorpions.

Well at least with the varments you have some idea of where they are going. I meant with Hurricanes no one wants the thing to come visit, so you end up wishing bad luck on someone else.

I don't have any russian friends, but I went to a wedding in Sweden so I can't say anything bad about them either.

I do like their meatballs.

Not a silly question at all.

Growing up in Andalusia (approx. 65 - 70 miles from coast), we felt the effects of hurricanes and tropical storms all the time. Major wind damage, trees uprooted; terrifying at times. All the motels were full with evacuees.

Depending on the storm category, I would at least travel that distance or further north, based on my experience.

You should also consider whether to go northeast or northwest. Obviously, you want to go in the opposite direction the storm is headed. The forecast models will indicate the expected turn. Depending on how long you wait to make hotel reservations (if that is your plan), you may end up going further than you planned due to lack of vacancy.

Maybe a silly question but how far does one need to go to off the coast to get to safety?

It depends on the size, strength, and most importantly, the forward speed of the storm. I would take my chances going east or west as there are tornadoes in the inland areas that are more risky IMO.

With Hurricane Ivan, there was really bad flooding around Asheville, North Carolina. Sometimes tornadoes and inland flooding are far more dangerous than the coast. Atlanta can get clobbered. As long as you are out of the surge zone, and have wind protection, it is sometimes IMO just as safe on the coast. We evacuated once up to DeFuniak and I thought we were going to get killed by the huge pine trees toppling over. At least at the beach, our scrub oaks hold their ground and don't crush anything. We stayed for most. The most danger we've been in is when we left to Dallas for Dennis. It was very dangerous returning along 20, but horrible along I-10.

Come to Sowal and avoid the Atlanta tornado's!!;-)

I actually have to TEACH on Labor day... But I'll be down in the Bat Cave (aka the music suite.) If any of you want to come be a guest speaker, you'll be safe from Gustav and tornadoes! (I can promise you no protection from hostile students.)

ok, say you are going to evacuate....besides what you need for a few days- what do you take?? (besides the obvious...I have boxes upon boxes of photos!)

ok, say you are going to evacuate....besides what you need for a few days- what do you take?? (besides the obvious...I have boxes upon boxes of photos!)

Be sure and take your important papers with you, insurance papers with phone numbers of contact person, paperwork to get you back in SoWal. Oh...plenty of wine might help too!

I was heading southwest of New Orleans for the weekend and upcoming week but may stick around for the Grafitti thingie in Alys beach. I have a class in the New Orleans area the 4th - 6th and wanted to go early to visit with the kiddies. Now I find out my ex might be taking them out of town.

I guess I'll kinda wait to see how things go. Btw, I sure hope LSU kicks the heck out of APP st. on Saturday and their is no problem with the weather in Baton Rouge. Be safe everyone.

Don't worry, I do have my priorities in order!!!

Important papers are ready to go...I've organized and re-organized!!

With Hurricane Ivan, there was really bad flooding around Asheville, North Carolina. Sometimes tornadoes and inland flooding are far more dangerous than the coast. Atlanta can get clobbered. As long as you are out of the surge zone, and have wind protection, it is sometimes IMO just as safe on the coast. We evacuated once up to DeFuniak and I thought we were going to get killed by the huge pine trees toppling over. At least at the beach, our scrub oaks hold their ground and don't crush anything. We stayed for most. The most danger we've been in is when we left to Dallas for Dennis. It was very dangerous returning along 20, but horrible along I-10.

I think the whole thing of ATL getting clobbered is just more Weather Channel crapola. We evacuated there for Dennis and a friend to call and make sure we were okay since he heard on the weather channel that downtown was flooding. We just let him know that the little creek that apparently is slightly north of downtown was having some issues, but everything else was fine. Including the underground.

ok, say you are going to evacuate....besides what you need for a few days- what do you take?? (besides the obvious...I have boxes upon boxes of photos!)

We have a binder with all of the important papers we need titles, insurance, pet vacinations, etc.

This goes in the vehicle that is going to evacuate. The vehicle that isn't goes under a pine tree. Seriously, we try to take both vehicles, but if we can't then the one that isn't going goes as far north as possible or into a parking garage in PCB.

I've done the binder thing also, and another one with back up disc of most of my photos...but not all.

Maybe a silly question but how far does one need to go to off the coast to get to safety?

Come to Tally! And if it gets too close there- let's go to Jacksonville!

Seriously, I have reservations.

ok, say you are going to evacuate....besides what you need for a few days- what do you take?? (besides the obvious...I have boxes upon boxes of photos!)

Credit cards; cash; computer; cellphone; address/phone listing; perscription drugs; important documents (birth/wedding certs; deeds; financial documents; insurance policies, etc.); keys to the kingdom; your best wines and liquors (now's a good excuse to finally open those "special bottles").

Pick a single point of contact (a family member or friend not in hurricane area) and let all other acquaintences filter info to you through them and visa versa, until you give the all-clear sign. Also keep in contact with someone who doesn't evacuate so you can get info on what's going on in the area.

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I think the whole thing of ATL getting clobbered is just more Weather Channel crapola. We evacuated there for Dennis and a friend to call and make sure we were okay since he heard on the weather channel that downtown was flooding. We just let him know that the little creek that apparently is slightly north of downtown was having some issues, but everything else was fine. Including the underground.

Backed up storm drains doth not a flood make. Peachtree Creek rises and falls constantly--the city's infrastructure is a greater hazard than the creek!

Atlanta gets clobbered with violent weather, but it's over before you have time to run to the basement most of the time.

I'm in the process of reorganizing the files so the stuff that I need to grab is all together at the front- grab and go!

me too! but sometimes the process is ENDLESS!!!!!

You can always follow us back to the ATL. . .we're going to be in Sowal over the weekend and I guess driving back in the rain.

Beachmom/Punzy -- where ever you go, don't forget to stop and get GAS!!!

Remember too, that text messaging often works when regular cell phone calls don't go through.

Beachmom, put as many of your photos as you can in waterproof bins in an interior room with no windows on a raised table on the ground floor. That way, you may have some protection against water intrusion from windows or roof and rising water from below. If you have any small items of great sentimental value that simply cannot be replaced, and car space allows, bring them with you also.

I'm in the process of reorganizing the files so the stuff that I need to grab is all together at the front- grab and go!

After 2 evacuations, we put little bright orange stickers on the files we'd need to take with us. Easy to grab and go. Back up those computer files on an external hard drive and take that with you too. If you have a laptop, definitely take that to check on what's happening and connect to SoWal.

The local TV station out of PCB at 6:30 a.m. today stated Gustav had shifted west and was no longer taking in the Apalachicola area and that should be good for the Labor Day Weekend crowd and business in Panama City area. (although there were some cancellations) A few minutes later, The Weather Channel storm report did not have this updated info and still showed last nights cone of possibility taking in Apalachicola. Why is that? You would think they'd have more up to date information. If travelers are planning their Labor Day excursions here they are more discouraged by current TWC. Hopefully they have alternate sources such as those listed here.

With the overnight SW jog, I am seeing the same thing as the NHC, which is west of NOLA on Tuesday am.