Well, after a hot day with mostly clear, blue skies the first vestiges of the outer bands are moving into the Montgomery area. After bringing some heavier rains to our south (for example, it looked as if Troy received some decent rain), it is bringing us nothing but light rain for the moment.
I expect we will end up getting heavy rains, winds and possibly tornados tomorrow.
As it stands, the Gulf Coast isn’t the place to be. Via the Weather Channel online: Hurricane Katrina 4th Strongest Atlantic Hurricane:
Hurricane Katrina is an extremely dangerous Category 5 storm on the Saffir-Simpson scale. Maximum sustained winds are at 165 mph. Katrina continues not only grow stronger, but it continues to grow larger. Hurricane-force winds extend 105 miles from the center. Sustained tropical storm force winds are not far from the Gulf Coast and should move in later this afternoon. Katrina has turned and is moving northwest at 13 mph with a turn to the north expected tonight.
Of course, the WC has played the “this is the biggest storm in forever” card before (indeed, last month). Still, this certainly looks like the real deal.
While I understand the “cry wolf” scenario, in this case, they may be right. And I’d much rather have them hyping the things than downplaying the risks. The fatalities from recent hurricanes have been relatively minor, mainly because the coast is more prone to evacuate.
In the case of New Orleans, I hope (I pray) that they’re wrong.
Comment by Bryan S. — Sunday, August 28, 2024 @ 7:43 pm
I fear you are correct in re: New Orleans. I can’t see how the city doesn’t sustain massive damage if it receives a direct hit.
Comment by Dr. Steven Taylor — Sunday, August 28, 2024 @ 7:46 pm
Yes, it looks bad for New Orleans and one hopes that the Weather Channel’s hype will motivate NO’s easy-going citizens. Still, when they feature “meteorologists” standing on the beach in the midst of a hurricane (wearing prominently labelled L L Bean rain coats) telling everyone to get out they send a mixed message.
Comment by jimbo — Monday, August 29, 2024 @ 12:34 am