*** Official 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season Thread *** Post Helene and Milton (1 Viewer)

[Todem]

I've been in Florida since 1994 and have been through a lot of hurricanes...this one is easily the strongest I've seen up close. The sounds are insane.

I was in the heart of Andrew in 1992.

I lived in Miami Beach at the time and I went to my father's business partners home in Kendall.....which is way inland and was supposed to be out of the brunt....well we all know what happened to Andrews track.....it went thru Homestead and Kendall.....it was like hearing a freight train for 5 hours.......I fell asleep thru most of it to be honest.....I was exhausted picking up over 100 planters for my dad's partner.........I was like so that's why you brought me here.

Anyway....next morning...went outside....drove out of there and it was a ****ing war zone. Like bombs had been dropped everywhere. Never ever went thru a storm like that again. Nothing like that.

And I went thru Wilma (that was bad a CAT 3 that did tons of damage), Katrina and several others......nothing was Andrew. A true CAT 5 bomb. This storm...not to make it sound less....but was nothing compared to Andrew. We dodged a bullet here. South Florida was completely spared. Unfortunately tampa and the west coast were not....and the tornados were insane. Over 200 reported touch downs from my understanding. So this was a hybrid storm. It was pretty wild how the bottom half of this storm basically vanished by the time it made landfall.

I have friends all over the state......Daytona made it thru pretty good all things being considered. Fort Pierce however (east coast) got tons of tornado damage and fatalities.

A bad storm for sure.....But I have been thru two others that were far worse. We got lucky Florida. Thank god.

 

[Todem]

Roof ripped off the trop.

Maybe they will get them a better home now.......probably not.

 

[Todem]

She said there was a lot of tornadic activity but they are high and dry away from the coast and are all ok. Didn’t even lose power.

Many older neighborhoods in Miami are working on putting powerlines below ground. And/or replacing wooden poles with concrete poles. It's expensive to do it retroactively. Newer neighborhoods have an advantage in that most have power and cable already underground.

After Wilma in 2005, there were major upgrades to the power infrastructure in FL. Irma in 2017 affected more customers but the power restoration was faster.

Another note about Wilma. There were sustained winds of 75-90 mph in the Miami area, mostly from the south, for many hours. I know several condo dwellers with south facing sliding doors on their balconies who had a lot of water intrusion through the door tracks.

From wiki: Approximately 2.5 million customers lost power in the South Florida metropolitan area, equivalent to about 98% of subscribers.[11] Electrical outages for each customer averaged 5.4 days. Wilma damaged close to 12,400 electrical poles and de-energized 241 substations.[9]

That storm suuuuuucked.

 

[Capella]

Roof ripped off the trop.

Maybe they will get them a better home now.......probably not.

2028. Deal is done.

 

[Grahamburn]

Roof ripped off the trop.

Maybe they will get them a better home now.......probably not.

Finally be able to see fly balls in there now.

 

[Oracle]

I've been in Florida since 1994 and have been through a lot of hurricanes...this one is easily the strongest I've seen up close. The sounds are insane.

I was in the heart of Andrew in 1992.

I lived in Miami Beach at the time and I went to my father's business partners home in Kendall.....which is way inland and was supposed to be out of the brunt....well we all know what happened to Andrews track.....it went thru Homestead and Kendall.....it was like hearing a freight train for 5 hours.......I fell asleep thru most of it to be honest.....I was exhausted picking up over 100 planters for my dad's partner.........I was like so that's why you brought me here.

Anyway....next morning...went outside....drove out of there and it was a ****ing war zone. Like bombs had been dropped everywhere. Never ever went thru a storm like that again. Nothing like that.

And I went thru Wilma (that was bad a CAT 3 that did tons of damage), Katrina and several others......nothing was Andrew. A true CAT 5 bomb. This storm...not to make it sound less....but was nothing compared to Andrew. We dodged a bullet here. South Florida was completely spared. Unfortunately tampa and the west coast were not....and the tornados were insane. Over 200 reported touch downs from my understanding. So this was a hybrid storm. It was pretty wild how the bottom half of this storm basically vanished by the time it made landfall.

I have friends all over the state......Daytona made it thru pretty good all things being considered. Fort Pierce however (east coast) got tons of tornado damage and fatalities.

A bad storm for sure.....But I have been thru two others that were far worse. We got lucky Florida. Thank god.

Was starting my second year of college when Andrew passed through Miami. Hialeah, Kendall and Coral Gables all had curfews. University of Miami was used for shelter. It was terrifying to move from my cushy/comfy home in Naples to what appeared to be a war zone….

 

[Oracle]

Caught up with my parents in Naples… All is well!!!

They live a little over a mile from the beach… no surge or damage! Never lost power however they do not have phone or internet access.

 

[SFBayDuck]

Was starting my second year of college when Andrew passed through Miami. Hialeah, Kendall and Coral Gables all had curfews. University of Miami was used for shelter. It was terrifying to move from my cushy/comfy home in Naples to what appeared to be a war zone….

This reminds me of the only time I've ever been to New Orleans. I flew in from Oakland on a Tuesday, and there were 4 families taking their 18 year old kids off to college on the flight with me. I had a great time at my conference, and was originally going to stay through Saturday but was exhausted after three nights out on Bourbon St so I caught a flight home Friday morning, August 26, 2005.

I've thought often about those kids (and those parents)....their first weekend away from home and Katrina hits.

 

[BassNBrew]

There is a lot of damage in Pinellas County, it is going to be a while on getting power back in some of these areas but the bridges are open to my knowledge coming and going
MoP Jr is packing up and driving down here to South Florida to spend a few days in Dad's air conditioned home, we never lost power thankfully

I had a feeling he wasn't going to like it after the storm finally passed.
I don't see how most businesses in Pinellas will function over the coming days and next couple weeks

With power out most folks can't work from home.
Also CELL COVERAGE is not good right now in Pinellas, my son and I were having trouble getting a clear connection, my guess is cell towers were damaged

In Asheville we got power back but cell service is still spotty

That's pretty amazing. My brother lives up in the mountains a bit close to Lake Lure and they had their power on this past Saturday. Couldn't believe it.

Water is being turned on in locations to test line integrity but with a warning not to drink even with boiling. No timeline on when that will change. Evidently the reservoir is still pea soup.

 

[ChiefD]

There is a lot of damage in Pinellas County, it is going to be a while on getting power back in some of these areas but the bridges are open to my knowledge coming and going
MoP Jr is packing up and driving down here to South Florida to spend a few days in Dad's air conditioned home, we never lost power thankfully

I had a feeling he wasn't going to like it after the storm finally passed.
I don't see how most businesses in Pinellas will function over the coming days and next couple weeks

With power out most folks can't work from home.
Also CELL COVERAGE is not good right now in Pinellas, my son and I were having trouble getting a clear connection, my guess is cell towers were damaged

In Asheville we got power back but cell service is still spotty

That's pretty amazing. My brother lives up in the mountains a bit close to Lake Lure and they had their power on this past Saturday. Couldn't believe it.

Water is being turned on in locations to test line integrity but with a warning not to drink even with boiling. No timeline on when that will change. Evidently the reservoir is still pea soup.

I bet. Lucky for him he is on a well at his house. He is also housing two other couples that completely lost their homes on the other side of the river where Chimney Rock was.

 

[The Big Donkey]

Pleasantly surprised, power back on. Thank you Lineman.

 

[Osaurus]

Lots of power out in Tampa per Mrs. O who is working a shelter.

I know this is serious stuff, and your wife is doing great work, but the fact you and Beans hightailed it out of there made me chuckle.

I wish she was here with me now. She is essentially forced to work shelters or risk termination. Coordination was a mess and she had no idea up until yesterday morning where she was going

Damn. Where are you now? Are you in contact with Mrs O?

She’s at home. We’re fine. House is fine. No power like everyone else but good to go all things considered.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Roof ripped off the trop.

Maybe they will get them a better home now.......probably not.

2028. Deal is done.

Where are they going to play until then?
I was wondering if they could use Legends Field across from Bucs Stadium, get the folks in Tampa more involved before the new stadium is built

 

[Osaurus]

When I get more innerwebs back, I’ll let you all know about my journey back to my neighborhood yesterday morning. It was interesting to say the least

 

[3C's]

The tornado outbreak from this one could be one for the history books.

Copied from FB:
126 TORNADO WARNINGS WERE ISSUED BY THE NWS IN FLORIDA YESTERDAY
This ranks 2nd All-Time for most tornado warnings issued in a single day. Ranks behind Alabamas 134 issued during the April 27th 2011 Super Outbreak. This is also the most ever issued in a single day for the state of Florida, breaking the record held by Hurricane Irma in 2017 which had 69 issued. Currently there are 38 tornadoes confirmed by the NWS SPC and that number will be climbing. Most tornadoes in a single 24 hour period for a state is Tennessee with 72, which occurred during the April 27th 2011 Super Outbreak. Will have to see how many tornadoes are confirmed and how this would rank.

 

[gump]

Our ‘hood was spared (Tampa Carrollwood area), other than 2 large oaks that fell. One across the main ‘hood street. But by yesterday @ 10 AM an army of dads with chainsaws had it chopped up and in a giant pile in a common area…road cleared. Pretty amazing effort and teamwork.

Took a family bike ride around 2 and everyone was out cleaning up…smiling and asking how you were…chuckling about that ‘doozy’ and being lucky.

 

[Wingnut]

Day 2 with no power but I couldn't ask for better weather while we wait for it to come back on. 70° overnight and a high around 80° again today.

 

[Capella]

Got back home last night, like 2 am. Have power and everything. Cleaned up the yard this morning and hope to cook for friends without power this weekend. Lots of football. Feels good to not be stressed. Definitely building a Lego set with the boy.

 

[Capella]

However, hot water heater not working despite having gas elsewhere in the house. So will need to get that fixed. Extremely minor concern.

 

[Osaurus]

Day 2 with no power but I couldn't ask for better weather while we wait for it to come back on. 70° overnight and a high around 80° again today.

Same down here in Riverview. I saw pure chaos at the local gas stations, but I’ll wait the crazy folks out. Gotta get cell signal up at 301 and Big bend so I can approve timesheets at 5. If not, I might have drive into town to my office and do it there which will use gas in my car I want to conserve. Good times gb

 

[the moops]

However, hot water heater not working despite having gas elsewhere in the house. So will need to get that fixed. Extremely minor concern.

Why you heating hot water?

I kid I kid. Just a weird peeve of mine. It's a water heater, not a hot water heater

 

[STBootleg]

However, hot water heater not working despite having gas elsewhere in the house. So will need to get that fixed. Extremely minor concern.

Why you heating hot water?

I kid I kid. Just a weird peeve of mine. It's a water heater, not a hot water heater

Just for reference

 

[Capella]

Hey while you guys were making fun of my hot water heater usage I got the damn thing fixed. #homeimprovement

 

[culdeus]

Worth watching carib next 24. Ensemble support for something. A 40/40 still out in the Atlantic which is trying.

 

[the moops]

Worth watching carib next 24. Ensemble support for something. A 40/40 still out in the Atlantic which is trying.

Can someone translate this?

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

Worth watching carib next 24. Ensemble support for something. A 40/40 still out in the Atlantic which is trying.

Can someone translate this?

Eat at Joe's.

 

[Capella]

Unless there is an unseen roof leak we are good.

Turns out we have a pretty good sized stucco crack and two blown out pool cage panels. Can’t believe that’s all we had damage-wise.

 

[Osaurus]

Still without power down here in south county, but we’ve seen utility crews in the area and there are pockets of power. Now if I can just get some gas in my car….

 

[Wingnut]

Still without power down here in south county, but we’ve seen utility crews in the area and there are pockets of power. Now if I can just get some gas in my car….

I tried to get gas at 3:30am this morning and the Wawa close to my house that always has gas had a line 50+ deep.

Still no power here either. The south half of our neighborhood got it back yesterday at 8am and we're still waiting.

 

[Osaurus]

Still without power down here in south county, but we’ve seen utility crews in the area and there are pockets of power. Now if I can just get some gas in my car….

I tried to get gas at 3:30am this morning and the Wawa close to my house that always has gas had a line 50+ deep.

Still no power here either. The south half of our neighborhood got it back yesterday at 8am and we're still waiting.

We went at 3 am and there were long lines waiting for fuel trucks at most stations down here. Might try again tonight or tomorrow morning

 

[3C's]

Worth watching carib next 24. Ensemble support for something. A 40/40 still out in the Atlantic which is trying.

Can someone translate this?

yes

 

[arrow1]

Worth watching carib next 24. Ensemble support for something. A 40/40 still out in the Atlantic which is trying.

Can someone translate this?

Need a can of 30 weight and some ball bearings

 

[Wingnut]

Day 5 with no power.

Broke down and bought a generator from FB Marketplace yesterday so we could at least have the fridge running and a fan or 2. Frontier is out too, so no wifi, which means no tv.

They're saying it'll be back by Thursday but who knows.

 

[Navin Johnson]

Still without power down here in south county, but we’ve seen utility crews in the area and there are pockets of power. Now if I can just get some gas in my car….

I tried to get gas at 3:30am this morning and the Wawa close to my house that always has gas had a line 50+ deep.

Still no power here either. The south half of our neighborhood got it back yesterday at 8am and we're still waiting.

Extension cord down?

 

[Osaurus]

Got power back yesterday at 8 am. Normalcy is slowly coming back

 

[culdeus]

Carib 0/20
94L 10/60

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

Worth watching carib next 24. Ensemble support for something. A 40/40 still out in the Atlantic which is trying.

Can someone translate this?

yes

Thank yew.

 

[Sparky Polastri]

Pretty shameful what is going on in WNC. The people are stressed enough with the reality in front of them. They dont need all that other BS. The good news is, they are flushing water lines in east Asheville. That means one of the big treatment facilities is operational to the bottom of the mountain which is pretty amazing.

 

[Sparky Polastri]

My pops in central Florida was lucky. Never lost power, but several main road sections completely washed out so navigation, while still possible, is difficult in some areas. Still tons of standing water in any area near the St Johns. It will be weeks before the river subsides below "flood warning" stage. Lots of the "old" neighborhoods are flooded as a result of "new" neighborhoods being built and not enough adequate drainage.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

My pops in central Florida was lucky. Never lost power, but several main road sections completely washed out so navigation, while still possible, is difficult in some areas. Still tons of standing water in any area near the St Johns. It will be weeks before the river subsides below "flood warning" stage. Lots of the "old" neighborhoods are flooded as a result of "new" neighborhoods being built and not enough adequate drainage.

I hear you. Even after Harvey's fifty inches of rain, Houston drained pretty quickly. The streets are designed to carry the water to the bayous, which took it away. Having to deal with that nasty standing water for so long makes everything worse.

 

[Osaurus]

My pops in central Florida was lucky. Never lost power, but several main road sections completely washed out so navigation, while still possible, is difficult in some areas. Still tons of standing water in any area near the St Johns. It will be weeks before the river subsides below "flood warning" stage. Lots of the "old" neighborhoods are flooded as a result of "new" neighborhoods being built and not enough adequate drainage.

I hear you. Even after Harvey's fifty inches of rain, Houston drained pretty quickly. The streets are designed to carry the water to the bayous, which took it away. Having to deal with that nasty standing water for so long makes everything worse.

Yep. I worked FEMA after Harvey in Houston and remember that smell all too well.

 

[3C's]

Pretty shameful what is going on in WNC. The people are stressed enough with the reality in front of them. They dont need all that other BS.

I suppose you're talking about the lies on social media including from a former high ranking official (trying to keep it non political) and the threat of armed militias "hunting fema". That stuff is pathetic.

 

[Sparky Polastri]

Pretty shameful what is going on in WNC. The people are stressed enough with the reality in front of them. They dont need all that other BS.

I suppose you're talking about the lies on social media including from a former high ranking official (trying to keep it non political) and the threat of armed militias "hunting fema". That stuff is pathetic.

And all the mis/disinformation about what our various agency responsibilities are. In hindsight, it appears that these organizations need to come in and first educate and explain the process. I see way too many "X isn't doing anything, it's all private sector" comments. That's generally how it works. Outside of fixing the infrastructure, it's mostly neighbor helping neighbor. At some point, way down the road, people might get help to fix/replace their houses/businesses, but it's a looooooong process.

 

[Wingnut]

Day 6 with no power.

Im one of 98,500. Yesterday it was more than 166,000. They're making progress but it looks like I'm gonna be one of the last.

 

[Osaurus]

Day 6 with no power.

Im one of 98,500. Yesterday it was more than 166,000. They're making progress but it looks like I'm gonna be one of the last.

Hang in there. TECO is knocking them out. Friend in Lutz just got power back last night and her area looked way trashed.

 

[Capella]

Day 6 with no power.

Im one of 98,500. Yesterday it was more than 166,000. They're making progress but it looks like I'm gonna be one of the last.

Teco? My MIL with Teco is still down. They’re telling her Thursday. Everybody I know with Duke is back up. Last one was last night. Anecdotal of course.

 

[Wingnut]

Day 6 with no power.

Im one of 98,500. Yesterday it was more than 166,000. They're making progress but it looks like I'm gonna be one of the last.

Teco? My MIL with Teco is still down. They’re telling her Thursday. Everybody I know with Duke is back up. Last one was last night. Anecdotal of course.

Yes, teco says Thursday, I'm not optimistic.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

My pops in central Florida was lucky. Never lost power, but several main road sections completely washed out so navigation, while still possible, is difficult in some areas. Still tons of standing water in any area near the St Johns. It will be weeks before the river subsides below "flood warning" stage. Lots of the "old" neighborhoods are flooded as a result of "new" neighborhoods being built and not enough adequate drainage.

I hear you. Even after Harvey's fifty inches of rain, Houston drained pretty quickly. The streets are designed to carry the water to the bayous, which took it away. Having to deal with that nasty standing water for so long makes everything worse.

Yep. I worked FEMA after Harvey in Houston and remember that smell all too well.

Yep. Driving down I-10, you could smell the mildew in the Energy Corridor for months.

 

[gump]

Day 6 with no power.

Im one of 98,500. Yesterday it was more than 166,000. They're making progress but it looks like I'm gonna be one of the last.

Teco? My MIL with Teco is still down. They’re telling her Thursday. Everybody I know with Duke is back up. Last one was last night. Anecdotal of course.

Yes, teco says Thursday, I'm not optimistic.

Hang in there, buddy...TECO told us Thursday also, but all of a sudden we got it back on Sat night…

 

[Wingnut]

Finally! Power back, and only an hour shy of 6 full days.

My patience and sanity were tested for a minute there