Floridians urged to prepare for potential major hurricane

[Hammock Parties]

https://www.tbnweekly.com/article_3e..._medium=social

National Hurricane Center forecasters say there is “increasing confidence” that Tropical Storm Ian will strengthen into a major hurricane as it approaches the west coast of Florida early next week.

A major hurricane means the possibility for multiple life-threatening hazards: storm surge, hurricane-force winds and rainfall flooding.

Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a state of emergency order Friday afternoon for 24 counties including Pinellas and others in Tampa Bay and along the west coast. He expanded that order to include the entire state on Saturday afternoon.

“This storm has the potential to strengthen into a major hurricane and we encourage all Floridians to make their preparations,” DeSantis said in a press release. “We are coordinating with all state and local government partners to track potential impacts of this storm.”

Pinellas County Emergency Management is keeping a close eye on the storm and encouraging residents and guests to do the same. Updates from county government will be posted at www.pinellascounty.org, on Facebook @PinellasCountyNews and Twitter @PinellasCoNews.

The county opened its information center on Saturday. Citizens can call 727-464-4333 from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. to get information on hurricane preparedness. Residents who are deaf or hard of hearing can contact the center using online chat at www.bit.ly/PinellasChat.

As of 11 a.m., Ian was about 270 miles south-southeast of Kingston Jamaica and 520 miles southeast of Grand Cayman. Maximum sustained winds were 45 mph.

Significant strengthening was forecast over the next several days as Ian moves into a lower shear environment over very warm waters. Forecasters say rapid intensification is likely while the storm crosses the northwestern Caribbean Sea.

NHC’s latest intensity forecast shows Ian becoming a hurricane with maximum winds of 74 mph by late Sunday. Forecasters say Ian could reach major hurricane strength (Category 3 or above with winds of 111 mph or higher) as it approaches Cuba Monday night.

Ian is expected to pass over Cuba quickly with little land interaction and remain a major hurricane as it moves over the eastern Gulf of Mexico on its way to the west coast of Florida on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Ian was moving to the west at 15 mph and was expected to continue to move westward through Saturday night before making a turn to the northwest on Sunday. The storm is then expected to make a north-northwestward turn on Monday and then turn northward on Tuesday.

If the track forecast proves true, Ian’s center should move across the central Caribbean Sea today, pass southwest of Jamaica on Sunday and then move near or over the Cayman Islands Sunday night and early Monday. Ian should be near western Cuba late Monday and emerge over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday.

Forecasters say that it is too soon to say exactly what hazards Ian might bring or where the storm might go; however they urge residents in Cuba, Florida Keys and Florida peninsula to ensure they have their hurricane plan in place and are following any advice given by local officials, as they closely monitor updates to the forecast.

Limited flash and urban flooding is possible with rainfall across the Florida Keys and Florida peninsula through mid next week.

Pinellas County Public Works has begun checking and preparing the county’s stormwater drainage system to reduce the risk of flooding. Residents are advised to inspect and clear their gutters and nearby storm drain inlets of debris to help prevent flooding.

[Rain Man]

The most state-specific form of death in Florida is hurricanes.

The most state-specific form of death in Illinois is visiting Chicago.

[Rain Man]

The most state-specific form of death in Florida is hurricanes.

The most state-specific form of death in South Dakota is sitting with your back to the door while playing poker.

[Rain Man]

The most state-specific form of death in Florida is hurricanes.

The most state-specific form of death in West Virginia is staring up at rain with open mouths.

[Rain Man]

The most state-specific form of death in Florida is hurricanes.

The most state-specific form of death in Missouri is discovering agricultural operations in national forests.

[mlyonsd]

Do Rhode Island.

[KCUnited]

Do Colorado and Von Miller

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by mlyonsd

Do Rhode Island.

The most state-specific form of death in Florida is hurricanes.

The most state-specific form of death in Rhode Island is god withholding Providence.

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by KCUnited

Do Colorado and Von Miller

The most state-specific form of death in Florida is hurricanes.

The most state-specific form of death in Colorado is Von Miller.

Wait, he's in Buffalo now.

The most state-specific form of death in Colorado is ... well, I bet Von Miller comes back to visit sometimes, so it still counts.

[Shag]

Originally Posted by Eureka

Out here in the Bay Area it never freezes and we have mild temp all year round. Rarely does it hit triple digit temps and there basically no humidity. Convertible weather year round.

Hope that CP member from Florida who's always bashing on California is staying safe if there is a Hurricane.

Earthquakes out here ain't no joke though.

I don't even have heat or AC in my place, lol - don't need it in SD. Living by the ocean in SD is the epitome of weather perfection, IMHO.

[BigRedChief]

There is absolutely no chance of the game being moved, postponed etc. just forget that BS talk.

[BigRedChief]

For all you hurricane noobs….. the storm that’s trekking like this one….. they have no idea where or even if will turn util it gets past Cuba. There are upper level winds in the atmosphere that dictate steering of the hurricane. So until it gets past Cuba, they are guessing.

[Eureka]

Originally Posted by KCChiefsFan88

I hope you enjoyed your nearly two weeks of forced power conservation “Flex Alerts”, resulting from California’s epic failure of a power grid.

Yep you're the CA hater on CP I was mentioning. Please point at the doll where CA touched you.

Haven't had my power cut at all. I can't remember the last time I had my power shut off but I'm sure you remember the last time when a Hurricane came through and shut your power off.

Originally Posted by Shag

I don't even have heat or AC in my place, lol - don't need it in SD. Living by the ocean in SD is the epitome of weather perfection, IMHO.

The CA hater quoted above thinks you live in Hell all the while he lives in sweltering heat part of the year and faces Hurricane warnings. Last time I was in FL I walked up to the store from my hotel and the humidity was sweltering. I'd rather put a jacket on in cold weather.

San Diego has the best weather in the country. You should move to FL.

The few times I've been to FL I enjoyed what the state had to offer. Seems like a nice place minus the Hurricane stuff.

[BigRedChief]

This!

[backinblack]

ah it's "who needs a roof?" season in Florida again

[Eureka]

Originally Posted by backinblack

ah it's "who needs a roof?" season in Florida again

Here is a picture below of licensed contractors throughout the country looking at a potential Hurricane approaching Florida.