The Official Hurricane Frances thread...

[LivefortheMouse]

Am i the only one that thinks this is the most rediculos forcast or what? first a hurricane is coming and it will hit somewhere in florida or georgia. Then they took georgia of and began to say oh problably jacksonville. then hum it might hit orlando now palm beach. Watch this thing end up in georgia(hope they are prepared because hurricane center said it was not going that way)
Or watch hit miami like andrew did the least likely place miami and the keys with our luck and great forcastingit will problably end up here wo hoo

 

[Figment1986]

i saw a terrible model on a local station... goes through central FLA... then exits FLA jsut north of me in the same county as me.... anyone have this model???

 

[Tim G]

<TABLE borderColor=#000000 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=2 width="98%" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD bgColor=#ff0000><TABLE width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD class=large>STORM STATUS</TD><TD class=small align=right>September 2, 7:35 PM EDT</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD bgColor=#cccccc><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=2 width="95%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=2>Name: Hurricane Frances</TD></TR><TR><TD class=small vAlign=top>Location: 65 miles, 105 km southeast of northern cat island. This is also about 355 miles, 570 km, East-Southeast of The Lower Florida East Coast.
Lat/Long: 24.3N, 75.1W
Max Winds: 140 mph
Category: 4
</TD><TD class=small vAlign=top noWrap>Heading: West-Northwest
Speed: 9 mph
Pressure: 27.99 inches
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

[Tim G]

i saw a terrible model on a local station... goes through central FLA... then exits FLA jsut north of me in the same county as me.... anyone have this model???

What Local Station ?

 

[PhotoDave219]

Am i the only one that thinks this is the most rediculos forcast or what? first a hurricane is coming and it will hit somewhere in florida or georgia. Then they took georgia of and began to say oh problably jacksonville. then hum it might hit orlando now palm beach. Watch this thing end up in georgia(hope they are prepared because hurricane center said it was not going that way)
Or watch hit miami like andrew did the least likely place miami and the keys with our luck and great forcastingit will problably end up here wo hoo

No, i think You're having unreasonable expectations about a storm that was a week away when everyone started to worry about it. They call it forecasting for a reason. So far, its doing everything that the main forcasters have suggested as well as the local channel 9 guy - who called Charley right.

So you can sit there and call it ridiculous, Me i've got to go back to packing....

 

[Tim G]

Orange County report and services


The Orange County Emergency Operations Center is currently at Level II activation with essential Emergency Support Functions represented for coordination and response to Hurricane Frances. The EOC is expected to rise to a Level I (Full Activation) by 8:00 a.m. Friday.

Orange County Chairman Crotty has issued 2 Executive Order Declarations. The first is for emergency expenditures, allowing Crotty to authorize emergency purchase such as water, ice and equipment to aid in the relief effort. The second is for price gouging, setting the stage for prosecution of people who take advantage of people by charging unfair prices for goods and services.


WATER

In anticipation of possible power outages at sewer lift stations, citizens are encouraged to limit water usage as much as possible during the storm.


GARBAGE

There will be no garbage or recycling pick up on Friday. Residents should not place any materials out for collection, but instead should secure all containers in preparation of the storm. The Orange County Landfill will be open on Friday during normal operating hours (weather permitting).


SCHOOLS

All Orange County Public Schools will be closed on Friday, September 3.


VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Volunteers will be needed to assist with various duties after the storm. To volunteer, registration must be filled out. The preferred method of registering is online at www.handsonorlando.com or by phone at (407) 740-8652.


SAND BAGS

Please be advised that Orange County Fire Stations ARE NOT distribution sites for Sandbags. At this time, there are no plans to use fire stations for sandbag distribution. Residents can call 407-836-3111 for more information on sandbags.

• Based on the availability, Orange County will provide a maximum of 300 sandbags per home for residents in unincorporated Orange County who's habitable living areas are in imminent danger of flooding.
• Once a request is received, County staff will field investigate to make a final determination.
• If the need is warranted, the County will deliver sandbags to your home and place them along the side of the road.
• It is the resident's responsibility to place the sandbags to prevent flooding. The County will not provide sandbags to protect garages, swimming pools or other non-habitable living areas.
• No sandbags will be delivered within 8 hours of the pending storm.

ORANGE COUNTY COURTHOUSES

The courthouses in the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court (Orange and Osceola Counties) will be closed on Friday, September 3, 2004.


TRAFFIC

Starting this afternoon, Orange County will begin receiving a large influx of evacuees from the East Coast. Evacuation routes have been established for the SR 528 (Beeline), Hwy. 50, I-4, and the East-West Expressway.

Travelers can expect heavy traffic and long delays. Please use caution.


CITIZEN'S INFORMATION LINE

The Orange County Citizen's Information Line is currently taking calls for information and assistance. The number is (407) 836-3111.

 

[Tim G]

Osceola County report and services


Osceola County residents living in low-lying areas and those in mobile homes will be notified of a voluntary evacuation starting at 8 a.m. Friday. No mandatory evacuations are anticipated for now.

The county will impose a curfew starting at midnight Friday into Saturday. It will last as long as the emergency lasts, according to Sheriff Charlie Aycock.

"Please be patient," Osceola County Commission Chairman Ken Shipley said. "Be prepared. Take care of your families. Be kind to your neighbors. You're going to need each other before this is over."

There will be no garbage collection Friday or Monday.

The courthouse closed at noon today and won't be open until Tuesday at least.


The county's storm information line is (407) 343-4111
A recorded storm hotline, updated periodically, is (407) 343-6942.

 

[dzne4eva]

My brother and his new wife are stuck there on their honeymoon. We just left Wednesday. I'm praying for all of you and my family in the state.

 

[Tim G]

Brevard County report and services


Brevard County planned to urge up to 185,000 residents to evacuate. The Kennedy Space Center planned to close on Thursday and Friday to allow workers time to board up their homes and evacuate, if necessary, NASA officials said.

Space for evacuees is still available at all of the public shelters. The shelters are listed in the BellSouth and Talking Phone Book directories. Space is also available for pets at the Melbourne Greyhound Track.


Evacuation

Brevard County officials estimate that about 40 percent of those under the mandatory evacuation order have left their homes. The evacuation is expected to continue until the onset of high winds Friday evening but we are urging all residents of the barrier islands and of mobile and manufactured homes to leave as quickly as possible to avoid traffic tie-ups.

In the Barefoot Bay area, volunteers just completed their canvass of an estimated 5,000 mobile home residents living in the Barefoot Bay community and the Riverview, Southern Comfort, Camelot and Indian River mobile home parks. Only 12 residents refused to evacuate. The door-to-door effort was made by 12 members of the Brevard-Seminole State Attorney's Office and 18 BCSO investigators. Residents who needed transportation were ferried to area shelters by Space Coast Area transit drivers.


Pets

For those residents who have pre-registered for the pet-friendly shelter in Port St. John: the shelter is now open.


Special Needs

Residents on the Special Needs Registry are being called individually to arrange pick up and transportation to special shelters. Those not already called should not be concerned. The calls are continuing and will continue until all have been contacted.
Brevard Community College is NOT a Special Needs Shelter.


Donations

Brevard County Animal Services is in need of donated towels and sheets to be used as bedding at the pet shelter located at the Melbourne Greyhound Park. The shelter, which opened at 10 a.m. today, is located on Wickham Road near the Sarno Road intersection.


Sandbags

Available at the Cape Canaveral Volunteer Fire Department located at 190 Jackson Ave. These are available free of charge for residents of the city of Cape Canaveral only.

The City of Melbourne is no longer distributing sand bags. Any sand bags that might still be available can be purchased at area Ace Hardware, Lowes and Home Depot stores, Rinker Materials and Travis Hardware in Cocoa.


Hotels for Evacuees

The Orlando Convention & Visitors' Bureau has opened an information hotline for anyone seeking a hotel room in Orange County. The number to call is (407) 354-5555.


Volunteers

Individuals who are in a position to help others can volunteer by calling 321-637-4077. Others who need the help of a volunteer can call the same number.


Debris Removal

Brevard County's landfill sites closed at noon today. There will be no trash pick-up in any area of Brevard County until further notice.


Livestock

Owners of horses and other large animals are advised to check www.brevard.ifas.ufl.edu for information they will need before and after the storm.

 

[Tim G]

Lake County report and services


Lake County officials announced this morning all county offices would be closed Friday. The Lake County Health Department will also close Friday all services not directly related to emergency response, including clinic sites, vital statistics and environmental health. Disease surveillance, emergency response and recovery related to Hurricane Frances will continue to operate.

"All county offices will be closed Friday other than for storm preparations and emergency activities," said County Manager Bill Neron.

Offiicials encouraged residents to make use of the Citizen Information Hotline at (352) 343-9732 for up-to-date Hurricane Frances information. The Lake County Sheriff's Office and Lake-Sumter Emergency Medical Services are being swamped with calls that are not necessarily a medical, fire or police emergency. Residents should only dial 911 for a true emergency, officials said.

Lake County Emergency Management officials also strongly recommend for residents in manufactured homes and low-lying areas to begin making preparations at area shelters or to secure themselves at the homes of friends or relatives.

Special need shelters will open Friday at 9 a.m. for residents who have medical needs that may preclude them from going to a public risk shelter. Emergency management officials have begun calling registered special need residents to arrange transportation.

Residents of manufactured homes that cannot find shelter with a friend or relative should prepare to evacuate to a public risk shelter.

"One major concern is people who live in manufactured homes," said Butch Whitehead, director of the Lake County Emergency Management Division. "A manufactured home is not a safe place to be during the storm. The comfort level at a secure home of a friend or relative will be much greater than a public shelter."

Officials also remind residents that In the area hit by a hurricane, water treatment plants may not be operating, and even if they are, storm damage and flooding may have contaminated water lines. Residents are urged to listen for public announcements about the safety of the municipal water supply.

 

[Tim G]

Seminole County report and services


Winter Springs residents needing sand for sandbags can pick some up at Central Winds Park..

Oviedo City Hall will be closed Friday for regular business. All recreation facilities will be closed from Friday until further notice. The City Council will hold a special meeting Monday at 10 a.m. to talk about storm issues.

Oviedo also has designated three parking lots as neighborhood information centers once the storm passes: Alafaya Square, located at the corner of Alafaya Woods Boulevard and State Road 434, Riverside Landings at the corner of County Road 419 and Lockwood Boulevard; and Tuscawilla Bend, located at the corner of County Road 426 and Winter Springs Boulevard.

Oviedo city garbage pickups have been canceled for Friday. The city's debris disposal site across from the Oviedo Sports Complex will be closed Friday. The city will give out sand for sandbags from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday at the Evans Street public works facility. Proof of residency is required, and there is a limit of enough sand to fill 10 small plastic bags per household.

Casselberry City Hall will remain open Friday.

 

[Tim G]

Volusia County report and services


DAYTONA BEACH -- Volusia County officials have order mandatory evacuations for residents living east the intracoastal waterway starting at 8 a.m. Friday morning.

Jim Ryan, the county's emergency management director said residents living in mobile or manufactured homes throughout the county have also been ordered out starting at 8 a.m. Friday. Curfews have been put in place for all evacuation area starting at 8 p.m. Friday. Curfews will be enforced between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. for the duration of the storm.

All emergency shelters, including those for residents with special needs, will be open as of 7 a.m. Friday morning. Ryan said the evacuations orders were issued later than other counties, including neighboring Brevard, to ensure that highways leading from the coasts are not overwhelmed with traffic.

 

[Disneydreaming]

http://collierem.org/pets/fl_top.htm

This is a link to hotels in the state of Florida that will accept pet during disasters. Please everyone make sure that your furry friends are taken care of.

 

[Tim G]

Largest evacuation ever ordered


PORT ST. LUCIE -- Hurricane warnings went up and more than 2.5 million coastal residents were told to evacuate Thursday as Florida braced for Hurricane Frances, which could be the mightiest storm to hit the state in more than a decade.

The evacuation request was the largest in state history, surpassing the 1.3 million people urged to leave during Hurricane Floyd in 1999, Gov. Jeb Bush said.

The hurricane warning covered most of the state's eastern coast, stretching about 300 miles from Florida City, near the state's southern tip, to Flagler Beach, north of Daytona Beach.

The warning meant hurricane-force winds of at least 74 mph were likely by midmorning Friday -- just three weeks after Hurricane Charley, another Category 4 storm, raked the state's western coast with 145 mph wind, causing billions of dollars in damage and killing 27 people.

 

[Tim G]

http://collierem.org/pets/fl_top.htm

This is a link to hotels in the state of Florida that will accept pet during disasters. Please everyone make sure that your furry friends are taken care of.

Ahhh... Thank You Very Much, This is really very Usefull to people with pets...

 

[Tim G]

Frances Closer Than We Think ?

(By the looks of it)

 

[NemoRocks78]

Path Has Landfall Near Vero; Moves South Of Orlando
Strong Winds Still Predicted In Orlando

POSTED: 6:12 pm EDT September 2, 2004
UPDATED: 7:49 pm EDT September 2, 2004

The Tropical Prediction Center's projected path for Hurricane Frances has the storm making landfall just north of Vero Beach, Fla., with 105 mph winds, Local 6 News meteorologist Tom Sorrells reported Thursday night.

The updated storm course shows Frances losing some of its punch as it hits land and moves through the state Saturday. It can make landfall any time from noon to 2 p.m., according to Thursday night's model.

The storm is then expected to move south of Orlando and then pass over Osceola County, Fla. It then should move through Brooksville, Fla., and into the Gulf of Mexico.

"This is still a very dangerous situation," Sorrells said.

Sorrells said that the storm could still move and stay on an earlier path that predicted the storm making landfall further north and bringing 100 mph winds to Orlando for hours.

Thursday night's path has winds reaching up to 80 mph and still up to 10 inches of rain in Orlando and Orange County, Fla.

 

[Tim G]

Thanks Nemo!

 

[NemoRocks78]

Thanks Nemo!

No problem Corrus. Just trying to post whatever that is useful. You are still the main guy to do the job though.

000
WTNT31 KNHC 022335
TCPAT1
BULLETIN
HURRICANE FRANCES INTERMEDIATE ADVISORY NUMBER 36A
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL
8 PM EDT THU SEP 02 2004

...FRANCES BATTERS SAN SALVADOR ISLAND WITH 120 MPH WINDS...
...NOW HEADING TOWARD CAT ISLAND IN THE BAHAMAS...

A HURRICANE WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA
FROM FLORIDA CITY NORTHWARD TO FLAGLER BEACH...INCLUDING LAKE
OKEECHOBEE.

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING AND A HURRICANE WATCH ARE IN EFFECT FOR THE
MIDDLE AND UPPER FLORIDA KEYS FROM SOUTH OF FLORIDA CITY SOUTHWARD
TO THE SEVEN MILE BRIDGE...INCLUDING FLORIDA BAY.

A HURRICANE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR ALL OF THE BAHAMAS.

A HURRICANE WARNING MEANS THAT HURRICANE CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED
WITHIN THE WARNING AREA WITHIN THE NEXT 24 HOURS. PREPARATIONS TO
PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY SHOULD BE RUSHED TO COMPLETION.

AT 8 PM EDT...0000Z...THE EYE OF HURRICANE FRANCES WAS LOCATED BY
RECONNAISSANCE AIRCRAFT...SURFACE OBSERVATIONS...SATELLITE IMAGES
AND RADAR...NEAR LATITUDE 24.3 NORTH...LONGITUDE 75.1 WEST OR 65
MILES...105 KM SOUTHEAST OF NORTHERN CAT ISLAND. THIS IS ALSO ABOUT
355 MILES...570 KM...EAST-SOUTHEAST OF THE LOWER FLORIDA EAST
COAST.

FRANCES IS MOVING TOWARD THE WEST-NORTHWEST NEAR 9 MPH...15 KM/HR
...AND A WEST-NORTHWEST TO NORTHWESTWARD MOTION WITH SOME DECREASE
IN FORWARD SPEED IS EXPECTED DURING THE NEXT 24 HOURS. ON THIS
TRACK...THE CORE OF HURRICANE FRANCES WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE NEAR
OR OVER THE CENTRAL BAHAMAS TONIGHT...AND WILL MOVE OVER THE
NORTHWESTERN BAHAMAS ON FRIDAY.

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 140 MPH...220 KM/HR...WITH HIGHER
GUSTS. FRANCES REMAINS A DANGEROUS CATEGORY FOUR HURRICANE ON THE
SAFFIR-SIMPSON HURRICANE SCALE. SOME FLUCTUATIONS IN INTENSITY ARE
POSSIBLE DURING THE NEXT 24 HOURS.

HURRICANE FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 80 MILES...130 KM...
FROM THE CENTER...AND TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP
TO 185 MILES...295 KM. SAN SALVADOR REPORTED SUSTAINED WINDS OF 120
MPH WHEN THE LEADING EDGE OF THE EYEWALL PASSED OVER THE ISLAND...
AND SUSTAINED WINDS OF 101 MPH IN THE TRAILING EDGE OF THE EYEWALL.

THE MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE RECENTLY REPORTED BY RECONNAISSANCE
AIRCRAFT WAS 948 MB...27.99 INCHES. SAN SALVADOR REPORTED A
PRESSURE OF 948 MB ABOUT TWO HOURS AGO WHEN THE EASTERN PORTION OF
THE EYE PASSED OVER THE ISLAND.

STORM SURGE FLOODING OF 6 TO 14 FEET ABOVE NORMAL TIDE LEVELS...
ALONG WITH LARGE AND DANGEROUS BATTERING WAVES...CAN BE EXPECTED
NEAR THE EYE OF FRANCES ON THE WEST SIDE OF ELEUTHERA ISLAND...AND
ON THE NORTH SIDE OF GRAND BAHAMA ISLAND. STORM SURGE FLOODING OF
4 TO 6 FEET ABOVE NORMAL TIDE LEVELS CAN BE EXPECTED ON THE WEST
SIDE OF THE OTHER ISLANDS OF THE BAHAMAS. COASTAL STORM SURGE
FLOODING OF 6 TO 11 FEET ABOVE NORMAL TIDE LEVELS...ALONG WITH
LARGE AND DANGEROUS BATTERING WAVES...CAN BE EXPECTED NEAR AND TO
THE NORTH OF WHERE THE CENTER MAKES LANDFALL IN FLORIDA.

RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 5 TO 10 INCHES...LOCALLY AS HIGH AS 20 INCHES...
ARE POSSIBLE IN ASSOCIATION WITH FRANCES.

SWELLS GENERATED BY FRANCES WILL BE AFFECTING PORTIONS OF THE
SOUTHEASTERN COAST OF THE UNITED STATES. THESE SWELLS COULD CAUSE
DANGEROUS SURF AND RIP CURRENTS.

FOR STORM INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO YOUR AREA...PLEASE MONITOR
PRODUCTS ISSUED BY YOUR LOCAL WEATHER OFFICE.

REPEATING THE 8 PM EDT POSITION...24.3 N... 75.1 W. MOVEMENT
TOWARD...WEST-NORTHWEST NEAR 9 MPH. MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...140
MPH. MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...948 MB.

THE NEXT ADVISORY WILL BE ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER
AT 11 PM EDT.

FORECASTER STEWART


Things are getting even more crazy here. Everything is closed, except for Wal-Mart, Publix, Winn-Dixie, Blockbuster, and some restaurants. I went to Chili's for dinner (many places were closed, such as The Olive Garden, Red Lobster, Steak n Shake, etc.) and everyone seemed to be in good spirits.

Winds are picking up, but they have been all day. We haven't boarded up anything because we have pre-installed hurricane shutters that we'll close up sometime tomorrow. I've been charging up the laptop, digital camera, and video camera; I am hoping to get some good footage.

 

[Disneydreaming]

http://www.petswelcome.com/

http://www.takeyourpet.com/

These are two more websites that have a hotel database that accept pets. I have my list made up in case the day ever comes that I need to evacuate with all 10 of my furry babies, and my 3 kids (shudder the thought!).