Florida is getting ready for Erika

[malaise]

They say people have forgotten about hurricanes.
Looking like a Cat 1 - I'd be more worried up the coast as in the Carolinas unless she poofs out early.

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_at5+shtml/205325.shtml?5-daynl#contents

http://www.wunderground.com/blog/JeffMasters/comment.html?entrynum=3089

[Lochloosa]

1. And She keeps edging closer to my neck of the woods.

[malaise]

2. She may well turn into a fish storm

track moving slightly east.

[lpbk2713]

3. I certainly hope so.

I don't think my roof could take another serious storm.

[dixiegrrrrl]

11. Lookeee here

[malaise]

14. She's looking very healthy this morning

and moved West most of the night.

[dixiegrrrrl]

4. I am wondering how much longer we will be having this lovely N breeze

down here in Ala. If it keeps up, it could help move her back out to the Atlantic.

Scary right now thinking about how many people have moved into hurricane land in the last 10 years and have no clue what to expect .
All I know is 99% of the coast population decides to evacuate wayyy too late and turn the north bound freeways into one huge parking lot.

[malaise]

6. I think that will happen

The forecast track is already shifting to the east. That said - early days.

[Lorien]

9. Predictions are pretty much worthless

Hurricane Charley wasn't supposed to come anywhere near Orlando in 2004, but I found myself standing in it's eye nevertheless!

[dixiegrrrrl]

12. Same with Opal in '95.

She turned right at us around 2 am.

[FLPanhandle]

18. I remember that

Mass evacuation quick here in Fort Walton Beach.

Scary.

[mnhtnbb]

5. I would be happy to see Erika bring some soaking rains to North Carolina

We're in a moderate drought situation.

I've kind of been hoping she would track up here--minus the winds and floods, of course.

[tavernier]

7. The first one is always super hyped by the news.

Down the road when the scarier big canes come chugging over from Africa, a cat one will barely be mentioned.

Not that they shouldn't all be monitored.

Yup, I live in the Keys and we are always in the initial cone. Have several plans, and once the track is definite, choose the best. Regardless, always stock a fresh supply of batteries, cash, full tank of gas, bottled water, liquor and chocolate (ok, that's on my personal stress list) early in the program.

[mcar]

8. Thanks for the update malaise

It's been a long time since Florida was hit. But how quickly we forget.

[hfojvt]

10. Erika Jong?

Is there really any way to prepare for 50? or flying?

[malaise]

13. DUzy

The thing is that that Erika was way more successful than all Atlantic storms named Erika

[AngryAmish]

25. Almost

[Are_grits_groceries]

15. I am fixin' to get ready.

Actually, I am pretty much always ready. I have items packed in Lowe's buckets to grab. I also have cat carriers placed in different areas. I will leave early if necessary, but if I have to go in a rush, I hope I make it.

[malaise]

16. Not sure where she's going but you might get a bruise

She's got an eye this morning

[Ilsa]

19. And the storm surge itself could cause flooding

Along the SE coast, couldn't it? Doesn't Miami have issues when it rains now?

Good luck and please stay safe! Here's a treat to get you moving if you need to:

[greytdemocrat]

17. It's clearly shifted south

This storm has been giving the computer models fits.

If it gets into the warmer waters new the FL coast...
Gulf temps are around 90. This could fall apart or
blowup into a CAT 3.

Which is a good reason I don't give the doom & gloomers
of climate change too much worry.

[Baclava]

20. Police in Dominica say at least 4 killed as Tropical Storm Erika hits Caribbean island.

It doesn't seem they have a very good handle on this one - it could fizzle out or reform it's center and go wobbling

[malaise]

22. Four dead - twenty missing

I've been listening to Barbados radio

Meanwhile Russell Honore (remember him from post-Katrina) is telling Florida to pay .

[malaise]

23. More on Dominica here

http://www.wunderground.com/blog/JeffMasters/comment.html?entrynum=3091

[Baclava]

24. My nephew's wife is from the D.R. - she has family there.

They live in West Palm now.

[malaise]

26. Not DR - Dominica

in the Windward Islands. They have had over 10 inches of rain overnight...and it's still raining.

[Baclava]

27. oh thanks! I guess I wasn't reading very close - it's still 2000 mi from me

[TampaAnimusVortex]

21. They got the reserves on stand by already.

Luckily, Tampa where i live isn't directly in line - but I feel for Miami.

[malaise]

28. Miami Local Ten is tracking Erika seriously

They're showing hurricane preparation - mayor is speaking to the city and public works folks are clearing drains.
Now they're showing how to prepare pets for storms.

I think everyone got scared after seeing what happened in Dominica this morning.

Buy a phone charger for your car.

[Baclava]

29. The NHC is still predicting a S.FL hit...I don't believe them

it looks ragged


Course of Deadly Tropical Storm Erika Puzzles Forecasters

[malaise]

30. May be a Tropical Storm and not a Cat 1 before it moves up the coast

The Carolinas may have more to worry about

[Baclava]

31. I will turn up my garage fan to blow it offshore tomorrow

Wish me luck

[malaise]

35. LOL

Your fan might work for this one

[malaise]

36. Just saw them interviewing folks outside a supermarket

They asked a lady what she was buying - her response 'red and white'!

Damn that was funny - took them a while to get it

[BumRushDaShow]

32. K&R and posting from the Bahamas

I saw this morning that the government of the Bahamas put up a Tropical Storm Watch here and needless to say, the staff at the hotel are starting to get contingency plans in place. We will be leaving tomorrow just before it gets here (hopefully before it ratchets up). The concern expressed has been closure of the airport - possibly Sunday. The locals are definitely talking it up as they have already had some on and off heavy rains here the past few weeks causing street flooding along low-lying areas in Nassau.

[malaise]

33. Rain would be my worry

Erika will be a weak Tropical Storm as she moves through parts of the Bahamas.

I want some of her rain. Stay safe.

[BumRushDaShow]

34. Yup

The storm history mentions 4 to 8" with some local 12" pockets. Hoping for the best for folks on these islands!