The Official Hurricane Frances thread...

Tim G

Tim G

Well-Known Member
Hurricane Frances Intermediate Advisory Number 40a

Issued at: 7:44 PM EDT 9/3/04




Corrected georgetown on abaco islands to hopetown

Frances weakens some as it drifts slowly west-northwestward, High winds and heavy rainfall pummel the northwestern bahamas.


A hurricane warning is in effect for the east coast of Florida from Florida city northward to flagler beach, including lake okeechobee. A hurricane warning also remains in effect for the northwestern 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.

A hurricane watch and a tropical storm warning remain in effect from north of flagler beach northward to fernandina beach.

A tropical storm warning remains in effect for the middle and upper florida keys from south of Florida city southward to the seven mile bridge, including Florida bay.

At 8 pm edt, 0000z, the center of hurricane frances was located near latitude 25.9 north, longitude 77.5 west or about 90 miles, 145 km, east-southeast of freeport grand bahama island and 200 miles east-southeast of the Florida lower east coast.

Frances has been drifting slowly toward the west-northwest near 4 mph, 6 km/hr, and this general motion is expected to continue for the next 24 hours. However, steering currents have become weak and some erratic motion can be expected. On this track, the core of hurricane frances will continue to move slowly over the northwestern bahamas tonight, and will be near the Florida east coast on Saturday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 105 mph, 170 km/hr, with higher gusts. This makes frances a strong category two hurricane. Some fluctuations in intensity are possible during the next 24 hours.

Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 85 miles, 140 km, from the center, and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 185 miles, 295 km. During the past hour, ham radio operators at abaco island reported sustained winds of 70 mph with gusts to 88 mph at hopetown, and sustained winds of 80 mph at little harbor. The settlement point c-man station on western grand bahama island recently reported a sustained wind of 52 mph with a gust to 62 mph and a gust to 45 mph was reported at the lake worth Florida c-man station.

The minimum central pressure recently reported by a hurricane hunter plane was 960 mb, 28.35 inches.

Storm surge flooding of 5 to 12 feet above normal tide levels, along with dangerous battering waves, can be expected near the eye of frances on the north side of grand bahama island. Storm surge flooding of 3 to 5 feet above normal tide levels can be expected on the west side of the other islands of the bahamas. Coastal storm surge flooding of 4 to 5 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. Storm surge flooding of 5 feet above normal lake water level is expected in lake okeechobee.

Rainfall amounts of 7 to 12 inches, locally as high as 20 inches, are possible in association with frances over the bahamas.

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.

Repeating the 8 pm edt position, 25.9 n, 77.5 w. Movement toward, west-northwest near 4 mph. Maximum sustained winds, 105 mph. Minimum central pressure, 960 mb.

For storm information specific to your area, please monitor products issued by your local weather office.

The next advisory will be issued by the national hurricane center at 11 pm edt.
 
TimeTrip

TimeTrip

Well-Known Member
The groove video board (?) is covered up

groove.jpg
 
TimeTrip

TimeTrip

Well-Known Member
Ok.. last one. We were able to grab a good bite to eat at thie Friendly's on I-Drive. Yes it was open... and the lines weren't as long as the ponderosa just down the road :)


friendlys.jpg
 
NemoRocks78

NemoRocks78

Seized
Premium Member
Ok.. last one. We were able to grab a good bite to eat at thie Friendly's on I-Drive. Yes it was open... and the lines weren't as long as the ponderosa just down the road
Click to expand...

Friendly's.... :slurp:

Cannot...bear....seeing....photos of Shrek 4D with no wait.....:dazzle: :lol:

Thanks for the photos. :)
 
Tim G

Tim G

Well-Known Member
Frances Slows, Weakens Further As It Nears Florida

Storm Weakens To Category 2


UPDATED: 8:18 PM EDT September 3, 2004



MELBOURNE, Fla. -- Hurricane Frances is beginning to make its presence felt along Florida's shoreline as officials adjust their forecasts for when it'll hit.

After weakening Friday night to a Category 2 storm with 105 mph winds, Frances has slowed somewhat, giving residents a little more time to flee. The National Hurricane Center says the storm has become somewhat disorganized, but they warn it could re-intensify before slamming into Florida.

Frances, with cloud coverage the size of Texas, is now about 170 miles east-southeast of West Palm Beach on Florida's east coast, where winds and waves are picking up.


Residents and tourists clogged shelters or made last-minute preparations Friday, where the state's second pummeling in three weeks seems inevitable. About 2.5 million residents were ordered to evacuate -- the largest in state history.


The slow-moving storm's core was now expected to hit Florida Saturday afternoon or evening, instead of early Saturday as had been earlier predicted.


At 8 p.m. EDT, the center of Hurricane Frances was located near latitude 25.9 north, longitude 77.5 west, or about 90 miles east-southeast of Freeport Grand Bahama Island and 200 miles east-southeast of the Florida lower east coast.

Frances has been drifting slowly toward the west-northwest near 4 mph, and this general motion is expected to continue for the next 24 hours. However, steering currents have become weak and some erratic motion can be expected. On this track, the core of Hurricane Frances will continue to move slowly over the northwestern Bahamas overnight Friday, and will be near the Florida east coast on Saturday.


Maximum sustained winds are near 105 mph, with higher gusts. This makes Frances a strong Category 2 hurricane. Some fluctuations in intensity are possible during the next 24 hours.


Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 85 miles from the center, and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 185 miles.


A hurricane warning is in effect for the east coast of Florida from Florida City northward to Flagler Beach, including Lake Okeechobee. A hurricane warning also remains in effect for the northwestern Bahamas. A tropical storm warning has been issued from north of Flagler Beach northward to Fernandina Beach. A hurricane watch and a tropical storm warning are now in effect from north of Flagler Beach northward to Fernandina Beach.


A tropical storm warning remains in effect for the middle and upper Florida Keys, from south of Florida City southward to the Seven Mile Bridge, including Florida Bay. The hurricane warning for the central Bahamas has been discontinued.
 
NemoRocks78

NemoRocks78

Seized
Premium Member
Hurricane Causes Florida Gas Shortage

POSTED: 9:25 am EDT September 3, 2004

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Some Floridians are learning a lesson in being prepared for disasters, natural or manmade: Always keep your gas tank at least half-full.

As Hurricane Frances approaches and millions of people head inland, they're finding many gas stations closed and long lines at the ones that are open.

But there was already a shortage in the making.

Many drivers filled up last weekend just before the end of a monthlong break on the state's 8-cent gas tax.

A few days later, others filled up because of the approaching hurricane.

Gas supplies will become even tighter. The head of the Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association says South Florida's gasoline is delivered by ship. With ports closing and the seas churning, deliveries have stopped.
 
M

Mikejakester

Active Member
Hey guys, Just wanted to say good luck on your second in a row storm, I have to say that really sucks but I know how it feels, I bet it's scarier over there were houses are not made out of concrete. Fraces bearly missed us here at the island (PR). The local goverment gave Tuesday off but we didin't get anything major just high surf. but it looks like the hurricane it's knocking at the door right about now. good thing it has gone down to a category 2. But still, take care, be safe, don't be dumb, stay inside.

hope to talk to you guys later on the week.
 
Woody13

Woody13

New Member
MKT (Rob) -- in his hotel working
PhotoDave219 (Dave) -- Wilderness Lodge
General Griz (Bear)-- Left town (Found a safe cave in North Carolina)
speck5576 (Non-Smoker)-- in his hotel working/riding out the storm
Horizonsman - in his bottom floor apartment fighting the cold
MaryPoppins - locked up in her apartment with cat and hubby.

 
Tim G

Tim G

Well-Known Member
Hurricane Frances drops to Category 2 storm


Hurricane Frances dropped to a Category 2 storm late today with top sustained winds of 105 mph. The system continues to crawl toward Florida's shore bringing with it the potential for torrential rains and flooding once it hits land and starts a slow journey across the state.

Despite the consistent drop in wind speed over the last 24 hours, the National Hurricane Center in Miami said Floridians have no cause to breathe easier.

Frances may be weakening, wobbling and disheveled, but it's still a huge storm capable of doing enormous damage to Florida, especially since its wind bands are expanding.

"It's not good news. Don't let your guard down,'' said Max Mayfield, the center's director. "The wind field is really spreading out, and I can assure you this will have a tremendous impact on Central Florida.''

At 8 p.m., the massive storm was about 200 miles east-southeast of Florida's east coast, with maximum sustained winds of near 105 mph. It was moving about 4 mph, and its core was expected to be near Florida's shores tomorrow afternoon, the hurricane center said.

The exact timing and location of landfall remains difficult to predict, but the hurricane center projects the storm will hit Florida's southeastern coast around 2 p.m. tomorrow and then move slowly northwest across the state, taking it over Central Florida.

The official 24-hour forecast track, which has an average error of about 87 miles, had Frances making landfall just north of Fort Pierce. If Frances follows that track, the storm would traverse the state southwest of Orlando, bringing its eye -- and hurricane force winds -- over Osceola County.

Orange County, however, would probably feel tropical storm-force winds of about 58 mph. As the storm makes its agonizingly slow march to the Gulf of Mexico, its winds will slacken, but the rains aren't expected to. Forecasters expect inland counties in Frances' path to be deluged with 10 to 15 inches of rain and as much as 20 inches in isolated pockets.

State meteorologist Ben Nelson said the area north of the track would still take a beating because the highest winds are at the northeastern side of the storm.

The center's projection shows the storm hitting land somewhere between Stuart and Cape Canaveral and exiting into the Gulf of Mexico in the Tampa area, state officials said. But areas north and east of the storm also will experience blistering conditions.

The storm's slow speed means coastal areas could experience hurricane-force winds for 12 hours or longer. A hurricane warning is in effect along the east coast from Florida City in Miami-Dade County north to Flager Beach.

The storm's delay, and the slight drop in the top wind speed, should not offer any comfort, said Lt. Gov. Toni Jennings.

"Those who are in an evacuation mode need to get out. We're not kidding," Jennings said. "We don't want people to think, 'Oh, this isn't a big, bad storm.' This is a big, bad storm."

Craig Fugate, director of the state Division of Emergency Management, said Frances still is bringing a variety of scary conditions - high winds, heavy rain, a massive storm surge and sporadic tornadoes.

"I don't want people to be scared. I want people to respect this storm," Fugate said.

Frances could push water ashore 14 feet above normal tide levels and drop up to 20 inches of rain on some sections of the state, the center said.

"A lot of people may have water in their homes with this kind of flooding," Fugate said.

Across Central Florida, some residents prepared to wait out the storm in their homes Friday, some behind plywood-covered windows, while others headed to emergency shelters, fearful their homes were unsafe or too vulnerable to flooding.

Local residents in coastal communities, mobile homes and low-lying areas had been ordered to evacuate as Frances approached Florida's shores.
 
NemoRocks78

NemoRocks78

Seized
Premium Member
Inland counties may get "double hit" from Frances, earlier Charley
By Dara Kam
Special to the Palm Beach Post
Friday, September 03, 2004

Inland counties Polk and Osceola, still reeling from Charley, are "going to take the double hit," after Frances makes landfall and rages inward, said state meteorologist Ben Nelson.

Nelson also predicted "every kind of flooding you can imagine," due to the snail's pace movement of the storm.

"And there's Ivan the terrible," Nelson said of the tropical storm nearing hurricane strength off the coast of Puerto Rico."Do not freak out about Ivan yet," he advised colleagues during the 6:30 briefing in the high-tech emergency war room, although Ivan is currently on a similar path to Charley.

Two fuel tankers are currently unloading in Tampa Bay and six more are off-shore awaiting improvements in the weather before delivering to Port Everglades. Gasoline shortages have caused frustration and dismay for the 2.8 million Floridians and visitors ordered to leave their homes and hotels. Earlier in the day, motorists ran out of gas as they fled coastal areas and clogged highways, making it difficult for petroleum

trucks to deliver fuel to gas stations already depleted by early Friday.

More than 4,000 emergency workers are poised to come into the state after Frances hits, more than three times the number who offered assistance after Charley, FEMA officials said.

Volunteer and state officials anticipate providing 5.4 million meals in 14 days, emergency workers said. And a million MRE's are already en route and officials expect to provide 350,000 meals per day in the storm-ravaged areas. Workers are now trying to locate cots for shelters and workers and a way to distribute the meals cooked at the 150 mobile

kitchens that will be established.

Center for Disease Control officials said they are planning to send 400 medical personnel to support the ten state disaster medical teams — mobile emergency rooms complete with pharmacies — as well as mortuary and veterinary teams for post-disaster assistance.
 

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