Something new is in the wind (excuse the pun) for Coastal Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. The NWS Hurricane Center predicts two hurricanes for us a day or two apart. There have not been two named storms in the Gulf at the same time since the 1930s. So far it looks like the storm's intensities will be tolerable. Wind speed is just one factor with these Gulf storms due to the low lying nature of the coastal lands. Storm surges usually do far more damage than the wind although wind drives the surge.
We are on the Eastern edge of the predited Zones-of-Uncertainty so at this stage of the predictions we are preparing for a Category 3 storm. Areas on the East side of a hurricane fare far worse than those West of the eye. We hope for a Category 1 or 2 storm but try to prepare for the worst case.
Like many people we began basic storm preparation on August 1st by stocking a weeks supply of bottled water and filling the freezer with food. We have a portable generator easily connected to the house circuits if needed. It is fueled and ready to go. Our home is two stories and was built to hurricane fortified standards so we expect to ride out almost any storm. If the predicted surge is above the Federal Flood Stage for our street we will evacuate.
We received our Federal Flood Insurance Policy renewal two weeks ago. We hope not to need it.
Gulf Hurricanes
Gulf Hurricanes
Butch
Re: Gulf Hurricanes
I assume that once you have lived through maybe a dozen hurricanes the experience becomes more routine, but to me, a northern Great Lakes boster, a hurricane sounds very worrisome.
We have been having “a lot of wind” this summer, which for us means 15 to 20-knots in the afternoon—just enough to discourage casual boating in the two to three foot seas that come with those wind speeds.
Stay safe, and batten down the hatches.
We have been having “a lot of wind” this summer, which for us means 15 to 20-knots in the afternoon—just enough to discourage casual boating in the two to three foot seas that come with those wind speeds.
Stay safe, and batten down the hatches.
Re: Gulf Hurricanes
Butch -
Given the potential surge, how do you secure your boat(s)? Trailer and fill with water?
Given the potential surge, how do you secure your boat(s)? Trailer and fill with water?
1992 Outrage 17
2019 E-TEC 90
2018 LoadRite 18280096VT
Member since 2003
2019 E-TEC 90
2018 LoadRite 18280096VT
Member since 2003
Re: Gulf Hurricanes
Jim,
What a difference a day makes. Marco is due South of us but much diminished in size and forecast to fizzle out. It will not become a hurricane. Laura is now forecast to make landfall farther west on the Texas and Louisiana border. Laura's forecast track has her heading through the central Gulf and she will have 36 hours as a hurricane to gain intensity before landfall. We appear to have dodged a bullet, but I'm confident our turn will come. We have not had a damaging tropical event since Katrina so we are due.
We do learn as we go. The major lesson has been not to evacuate unless you expect to be flooded and do not evacuate any farther than necessary to get to higher land. Once you have evacuated returning can be a big problem. Municipalities limit access to prevent looting and injuries. In Gulf Shores access was denied for several days following Ivan as damage was extensive. Property owners were not allowed to enter with their vehicles. Instead, National Guard trucks were used to allow owners to see the damage to their property, take photographs and recover small items. No one was allowed to remain behind. That was not unreasonable as the streets were virtually impassable except with military vehicles as the surge had brought several feet of sand inland. Flood damage is much easier and less costly to repair if begun immediately after flooding has receded. Once mold sets in costs increase dramatically. That contributed to the high cost of the Ivan Recovery.
Phil,
Low lying boats on trailers are often filled with water to the degree possible without causing damage. Of course our Boston Whalers will float regardless even floating with their attached trailers. Before learning my hurricane ropes I would fill our Dauntless to deck level and use the anchor rode to secure the trailer to a nearby tree to keep it from floating too far. Pretty silly given the height of our property before moving to Gulf Shores. We keep our 13 in the garage so if we are flooded it will simply slowly rise to whatever level the surge takes it. Surges are often misunderstood. Some people think of them as similar to a tsunami but surges happen more slowly but they are not without power.
What a difference a day makes. Marco is due South of us but much diminished in size and forecast to fizzle out. It will not become a hurricane. Laura is now forecast to make landfall farther west on the Texas and Louisiana border. Laura's forecast track has her heading through the central Gulf and she will have 36 hours as a hurricane to gain intensity before landfall. We appear to have dodged a bullet, but I'm confident our turn will come. We have not had a damaging tropical event since Katrina so we are due.
We do learn as we go. The major lesson has been not to evacuate unless you expect to be flooded and do not evacuate any farther than necessary to get to higher land. Once you have evacuated returning can be a big problem. Municipalities limit access to prevent looting and injuries. In Gulf Shores access was denied for several days following Ivan as damage was extensive. Property owners were not allowed to enter with their vehicles. Instead, National Guard trucks were used to allow owners to see the damage to their property, take photographs and recover small items. No one was allowed to remain behind. That was not unreasonable as the streets were virtually impassable except with military vehicles as the surge had brought several feet of sand inland. Flood damage is much easier and less costly to repair if begun immediately after flooding has receded. Once mold sets in costs increase dramatically. That contributed to the high cost of the Ivan Recovery.
Phil,
Low lying boats on trailers are often filled with water to the degree possible without causing damage. Of course our Boston Whalers will float regardless even floating with their attached trailers. Before learning my hurricane ropes I would fill our Dauntless to deck level and use the anchor rode to secure the trailer to a nearby tree to keep it from floating too far. Pretty silly given the height of our property before moving to Gulf Shores. We keep our 13 in the garage so if we are flooded it will simply slowly rise to whatever level the surge takes it. Surges are often misunderstood. Some people think of them as similar to a tsunami but surges happen more slowly but they are not without power.
Butch
Re: Gulf Hurricanes
Well, it looks like the Alabama gulf coast will not get the brunt of these storms. Hopefully no major harm will come to anyone on the gulf coast and our storm threats will be over. Could make for a fabulous fall boating season. (My favorite time of the year)