delirium 4,237 Posted September 6, 2017 Share Posted September 6, 2017 For more than a day, monstrous Hurricane Irma has sustained Category 5 winds while ripping through the northern Lesser Antilles. The storm, tied for the second-strongest ever recorded in the Atlantic Ocean, is charging through the Virgin Islands and headed for Puerto Rico, the southeastern Bahamas and, by the weekend and early next week, Florida and the Southeast U.S. This is a life-threatening storm that the National Hurricane Center warns is capable of catastrophic damage. Preparations should be rushed to completion near its path. At 3 p.m., the storm was 80 miles east of San Juan and was barreling west-northwestward at 16 mph. The storm’s eye had moved over Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands and its southern eyewall (the region of most powerful winds) raked Saint Thomas. Its outer bands had already begun lashing northeast Puerto Rico. A wind gust to 131 miles per hour was clocked on Buck Island and 87 miles per hour on St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands early Wednesday afternoon. The National Weather Service issued an extreme wind warning for destructive winds gusts over 115 miles per hour for Saint John and Saint Thomas, “producing swaths of tornado-like damage.†A flash flooding warning was also issued. In the Culebra, Puerto Rico, a small island 17 miles east of the mainland, a wind gust reached 96 miles per hour. Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, the hurricane passed directly over Barbuda and Saint Martin in the northern Leeward Islands, the strongest hurricane ever recorded in that region and tied with the 1935 Florida Keys hurricane as the strongest Atlantic storm to strike land. As Barbuda took a direct hit, the weather station there clocked a wind gust to 155 mph before it went offline. The storm surge on the island, or the rise in water above normally dry land, reached at least 8 feet. As the storm heads west, hurricane warnings are in effect for the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, the Turks and Caicos, Haiti and southeastern Bahamas. A hurricane watch covers Cuba and the central Bahamas. (The Washington Post) This historically intense hurricane is forecast to modestly weaken in the next two days, but remain an extremely dangerous Category 4 or 5 storm. It will produce the full gamut of hurricane hazards across the Caribbean and potentially South Florida, including a devastating storm surge, destructive winds and dangerous flash flooding. Play Video 1:57 Anchor braves 'crazy' wind to cover Hurricane Irma's landfall Embed Share ABS TV Radio Antigua & Barbuda broadcasted live on Sept. 5 as Hurricane Irma and its 180 mph winds made landfall in Antigua. (Monica Akhtar/The Washington Post) Mainland U.S. landfall threat Model forecasts have shifted the center of the track eastward since Tuesday, projecting the core of Irma to pass right along Florida’s east coast. But enough uncertainty in the track exists that all of Florida should be on the highest alert and preparing for this hurricane. Some of the latest computer simulations track the storm center very near Southeast Florida Sunday morning, presenting a very dangerous situation. However, shifts in the storm track are likely. Model simulations of the center of Irma at 2 p.m. Sunday. (WeatherBell.com) Tropical-storm-force winds are likely to arrive in Florida on Saturday, with the worst storm conditions occurring Sunday. The most extreme conditions are likely to occur near the storm center, but it is impossible this far out to pinpoint exactly where that will track. And serious storm effects will expand well outside the center. The entire Florida peninsula is only about 100 miles wide, small compared to the size of the storm. Tropical-storm-force winds presently extend outward up to 185 miles from the storm center and hurricane-force winds 50 miles in both directions. View image on Twitter Follow Brian McNoldy ✔ @BMcNoldy Saffir-Simpson category rating of a hurricane only refers to peak winds in eyewall. This example from # Irma this morning is roughly to scale 10:43 AM - Sep 5, 2017 · Florida, USA 2 2 Replies 54 54 Retweets 62 62 likes Twitter Ads info and privacy A hurricane does not need to be rated Category 5 intensity to cause catastrophic damage. Remember, the category rating only refers to the peak winds in the eyewall, not the size of the storm, the rainfall and the storm surge. Group of model simulations or ensemble members from the European (red) and American (blue) computer models. (StormVistaWxModels.com) Locations in northern Florida as well as up into Georgia and the Carolinas should also be preparing for a significant impact Monday and Tuesday. In some respects, the most recent set of model runs bear some resemblance to Hurricane Matthew, which affected these areas just 11 months ago. The rainfall forecast for the coming week shows a heavy swath over the Florida peninsula, and then spreading northward into the Carolinas as Irma likely tracks over those areas early next week. Seven-day cumulative rainfall forecast. (NOAA/WPC) Impact on the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico Irma presents a clear and present danger to the U.S. Virgin Islands and, in particular, the British Virgin Islands, where the center passed directly overhead early Wednesday afternoon. Areas affected by the core winds near the storm’s eye face devastating wind destruction. The Hurricane Center provides this description of the damage inflicted by Category 5 winds: A high percentage of framed homes will be destroyed, with total roof failure and wall collapse. Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential areas. Power outages will last for weeks to possibly months. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months. Play Video 0:32 Hurricane Irma storms toward Puerto Rico Embed Share Hurricane Irma heads toward Puerto Rico on Sept. 6, after slamming the northern Leeward Islands with torrential rains and howling winds.(CIRA/RAMMB/NOAA) Forecasts also call for rainfall totals of 8-12 inches along the path, with isolated amounts up to 20 inches, leading to flash flooding and mudslides — especially over any high terrain. After passing the Virgin Islands, the storm will approach Puerto Rico late Wednesday afternoon or evening. The center may pass just north of Puerto Rico or could pass over its northern section. Either way, destructive winds are likely there, especially over the northeast part of the island, along with 4 to 10 inches of rain (and isolated totals up to 15 inches) and a storm surge of 4 to 6 feet in coastal areas. After passing Puerto Rico, the storm should then pass just north of the Dominican Republic and Haiti on Thursday, where hurricane-force winds and torrential rains are possible. Later on Thursday, the storm will near the Turks and Caicos and southeastern Bahamas, where it could push ashore a devastating storm surge of 15 to 20 feet above normally dry land. Irma’s place in history Irma’s peak intensity (185 mph) ranks among the strongest in recorded history, exceeding the likes of Katrina, Andrew and Camille — whose winds peaked at 175 mph. Among the most intense storms on record, it only trails Hurricane Allen in 1980, which had winds of 190 mph. It is tied for second most intense with Hurricane Wilma in 2005, Hurricane Gilbert in 1988 and the 1935 Florida Keys hurricane. Play Video 0:45 An inside look at Hurricane Irma’s eyewall Embed Share A US Air Force Reserve hurricane hunter flight got a clear view of Hurricane Irma’s eyewall on Sept. 5. The storm intensified to a Category 5.(Maj. Brad Roundtree/USAFReserve) The storm has maintained maximum wind speeds of at least 180 mph longer than any other storm on record in the Atlantic. Late Tuesday night, its pressure dropped to 914 millibars (the lower the pressure, the stronger the storm), ranking as the lowest of any storm on record outside the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico in the Atlantic basin. The storm has generated the most Accumulated Cyclone Energy, a measure of both a storm’s duration and intensity, of any hurricane on record. Without a doubt, the World Meteorological Organization will retire the names Harvey and Irma after this season. While there have been several instances of consecutive storm names getting retired (Rita and Stan 2005, Ivan and Jeanne 2004, Isabel and Juan 2003, Luis and Marilyn 1995), the U.S. has only been hit by more than one Category 4+ hurricane in a season one time: 1915. Two Category 4 hurricanes hit in Texas and Louisiana six weeks apart that year. Credit to tropical weather expert and occasional Capital Weather Gang contributor Phil Klotzbach for some of the statistics in this section. Tropical storms Jose and Katia While Irma is grabbing all of the attention, two other tropical storms are spinning in the Atlantic basin: Tropical Storm Jose, far out in the eastern Atlantic Ocean, is expected to strengthen into a hurricane Wednesday. The current track forecast keeps it mostly away from land areas over the next several daysbut it could graze the same islands in the northeastern Lesser Antilles slammed by Irma this weekend and forecasters will be watching it closely. Tropical Storm Katia, which formed early Wednesday in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico, is also forecast to become a hurricane — on Thursday or Friday, before making landfall in the Mexico state of Veracruz this weekend. Hurricane season in perspective In terms of Accumulated Cyclone Energy for all storms so far, 2017 has spiked to well above average in the past week thanks to Irma. And now we also have Tropical Storm Jose and Tropical Storm Katia adding to the tally. As of Wednesday morning, this season’s Accumulated Cyclone Energy is at about 152 percent of average for the date. cr: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/capital-weather-gang/wp/2017/09/06/extreme-category-5-irma-crashes-into-caribbean-sets-sights-on-florida-and-southeast-u-s/?utm_term=.6d639223837d Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zhou JieQUEEN-ong 809 Posted September 6, 2017 Share Posted September 6, 2017 Oh God... Did they evacuated the cities? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baeks Flat Ass 1,172 Posted September 6, 2017 Share Posted September 6, 2017 i hope everyone who lives there stays safe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liliana 7,771 Posted September 6, 2017 Share Posted September 6, 2017 I hope everyone is safe from the hurricane Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bottomluhan 6,162 Posted September 6, 2017 Share Posted September 6, 2017 damn i got family there..........i wonder what they doing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vader 3,297 Posted September 6, 2017 Share Posted September 6, 2017 my uni in tampa has FINALLY started evacuating thank god and im getting out of here, i want to walmart to pick up supplies but everything is literally gone im heading back home since my island isn't getting affected by this hurricane Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.Pringles 34 Posted September 6, 2017 Share Posted September 6, 2017 I live in a place where the hurricane will probably hit but I can't evacuate. I'm scared RN. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impromptutraveler 3,783 Posted September 6, 2017 Share Posted September 6, 2017 Stay safe everyone! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mochichan 12,341 Posted September 6, 2017 Share Posted September 6, 2017 Everyone be safe. Don't try to bunker down if you're in the damage areas but can leave. It's better to be safe. Also take pics of properties if you can as proofs so you can file for insurance faster It's raining now in VA since last night. It's nothing big but pretty amazing the storm is spilling so far up north..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
✧ Quinchana ✧ 1,176 Posted September 6, 2017 Share Posted September 6, 2017 Omgg stay safe everybody! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creepymingyufan<3 86 Posted September 6, 2017 Share Posted September 6, 2017 Omg I'm north of Florida, so I'm not sure if it will hit me, but stay safe southerners! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vader 3,297 Posted September 6, 2017 Share Posted September 6, 2017 I live in a place where the hurricane will probably hit but I can't evacuate. I'm scared RN. wait why cant you evacuate? if you really cant, search around in stores for water and dry foods ( i think walmart is restocking their water bottles everyday at least thats what they told me), protect your belongings etc stay safe! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STORM 7,555 Posted September 6, 2017 Share Posted September 6, 2017 Stay safe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delirium 4,237 Posted September 6, 2017 Author Share Posted September 6, 2017 Oh God... Did they evacuated the cities? People have started evacuating in Florida. Unfortunately, some people in the Carribean are stranded and they've lost contact with other places. more info at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2017/sep/06/hurricane-irma-caribbean-islands-category-5-storm damn i got family there..........i wonder what they doing Can you get in contact with them? my uni in tampa has FINALLY started evacuating thank god and im getting out of here, i want to walmart to pick up supplies but everything is literally gone im heading back home since my island isn't getting affected by this hurricane I think a lot of people are hitting those places up (as well as gas stations and the sort) but there should be plenty left. If you're going to get something, go quickly and then head out. Stay safe, contact people early to let them know of your plans and where to find you. I live in a place where the hurricane will probably hit but I can't evacuate. I'm scared RN. Do you have emergency services that you can call to evacuate you? Everyone be safe. Don't try to bunker down if you're in the damage areas but can leave. It's better to be safe. Also take pics of properties if you can as proofs so you can file for insurance faster It's raining now in VA since last night. It's nothing big but pretty amazing the storm is spilling so far up north..... ^ Some people are wondering if they should stay or evacuate-staying poses far greater risk than evacuating. It's your life vs. spending some extra money to get away from possible devastation. Another note, if you don't have the means to leave, there are a lot of people who are willing to take you with them, don't be scared to ask for help. Omg I'm north of Florida, so I'm not sure if it will hit me, but stay safe southerners! Visit places like http://www.firstcoastnews.com/weather/irma/hurricane-irma-find-your-evacuation-zone/471665252to help you find information about if you will need to evacuate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seulo 4,828 Posted September 6, 2017 Share Posted September 6, 2017 It's insane down here in South Florida, everyone has lost their fucking minds. The streets are hectic, the gas stations are packed, Home Depot has run out of plywood, gas, water and generators. Publix stores have lines miles long and everyone is only allowed to take one item per person. I watched two people fight over a can of peanuts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.Pringles 34 Posted September 6, 2017 Share Posted September 6, 2017 wait why cant you evacuate? if you really cant, search around in stores for water and dry foods ( i think walmart is restocking their water bottles everyday at least thats what they told me), protect your belongings etc stay safe! I don't have a vehicle that I can use so I'm stuck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delirium 4,237 Posted September 6, 2017 Author Share Posted September 6, 2017 It's insane down here in South Florida, everyone has lost their fucking minds. The streets are hectic, the gas stations are packed, Home Depot has run out of plywood, gas, water and generators. Publix stores have lines miles long and everyone is only allowed to take one item per person. I watched two people fight over a can of peanuts I wish that they had more people to help keep order and progress things smoothly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bottomluhan 6,162 Posted September 6, 2017 Share Posted September 6, 2017 People have started evacuating in Florida. Unfortunately, some people in the Carribean are stranded and they've lost contact with other places. more info at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2017/sep/06/hurricane-irma-caribbean-islands-category-5-storm Can you get in contact with them? I think a lot of people are hitting those places up (as well as gas stations and the sort) but there should be plenty left. If you're going to get something, go quickly and then head out. Stay safe, contact people early to let them know of your plans and where to find you. Do you have emergency services that you can call to evacuate you? ^ Some people are wondering if they should stay or evacuate-staying poses far greater risk than evacuating. It's your life vs. spending some extra money to get away from possible devastation. Another note, if you don't have the means to leave, there are a lot of people who are willing to take you with them, don't be scared to ask for help. Visit places like http://www.firstcoastnews.com/weather/irma/hurricane-irma-find-your-evacuation-zone/471665252to help you find information about if you will need to evacuate. they're supposed to be visiting on Friday anyways so hopefully they've made their way out if they're in danger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frogurt 7,163 Posted September 6, 2017 Share Posted September 6, 2017 Jose has also become a hurricane. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krystalice 2,255 Posted September 6, 2017 Share Posted September 6, 2017 Yikes im worried that the hurricane is going to go all the way up the east coast and plus hurricane jose is right behind it. Stay safe everyone and of course bring your pets with you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A h n 1,747 Posted September 6, 2017 Share Posted September 6, 2017 Stay safe ⤠Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krystalice 2,255 Posted September 6, 2017 Share Posted September 6, 2017 I don't have a vehicle that I can use so I'm stuck. can you go with your neighbors or friends or get an uber/taxi? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A h n 1,747 Posted September 6, 2017 Share Posted September 6, 2017 Yikes im worried that the hurricane is going to go all the way up the east coast and plus hurricane jose is right behind it. Stay safe everyone and of course bring your pets with you! This Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JiMiJu 1,858 Posted September 6, 2017 Share Posted September 6, 2017 Stay safe peeps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yukihime 1,072 Posted September 6, 2017 Share Posted September 6, 2017 I hope people will be safe and that as much people as possible will evacuate. I saw some pics and video and dang it's scary Click here to view the Tweet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.