ATL IKE: TCI/Bahamas/Cuba/Florida preps/obs/reports

[msbee]

here are some pictures of the damage in Cuba.

[JonathanBelles]

Those wave pictures from Cuba are amazing. I couldnt imagine 50' waves.

Anyway, the local met was amazingly correct last night when he said that Ike would reach Tampa Bay at around 5pm today. Sure enough, the clouds came in around 430, and it was pouring by 5.

[JonathanBelles]

I saw earlier that Shore Acres is completely flooded here in Pinellas County from storm surge. Also, people in Gulfport and people along the Brandon River in manatee county have flooding. Winds here are around 20mph, gusts higher.

[tronbunny]

I cannot give a current flood status for the St. John's River Basin, but Florida does not get off free and clear.

Currently, South Central Florida, specifically Northwestern Osceola county is under a tornado watch.

Ike's reach is far and wide.

The direction and construct of this cell is clearly related to outflow.
There is some minor damage already reported.

This is nothing compared to what Ike has already done and will continue to.
It is eye-opening to get just this fragment and see how powerful this phenomenon is.

[JonathanBelles]

St. Pete Beach (and probably other barrier islands) were also flooded today. The surge went down with the tides, but will go back up tomorrow so said the local met and NWS.

[yzerfan]

In the Panhandle, US 98 between Ft. Walton Beach and Destin is closed because of coastal flooding. It's one of the biggest commuter roads in the area.

http://www.nwfdailynews.com/news/okaloo ... ghway.html

[r_u_stuck2]

Pensacola Beach Swamped. Island has been breached in two different places. Streets impassable.
http://www.pnj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/articl ... GECAROUSEL

[NewOrleansMom]

New Orleans and lower East La. coastal areas have begun to feel the effects of Hurricane Ike. Conditions are expected to worsen throughout the night.

TROPICAL STORM WINDS HAVE ONSET ALONG THE LOWER LOUISIANA COAST AND WILL CONTINUE THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING. HIGH TIDES AND SALT WATER INUNDATION IS TAKING PLACE OUTSIDE THE HURRICANE LEVEE PROTECTION SYSTEM.

Wind of 35 to 45 MPH with gusts to 55 mph. mainly in squalls

ISOLATED TORNADOES MAINLY NEAR THE IMMEDIATE COAST ARE POSSIBLE IN SQUALLS THAT MAY BE MOVING ONSHORE FRIDAY.


http://www.weather.com/weather/alerts/l ... age=mypage

Good luck to our good friends in Texas. You are in our prayers.

[JonathanBelles]

Just went outside for a minute: Cirrostratus clouds with an amazing lunar effect. A HUGE ring around the moon, probably takes up a third of the sky.

Had flooding again today around Pinellas County.

[JonathanBelles]

A plane nearly had an early landing last night at the St. Pete/Clearwater. It landed on the runway, but had problems keeping on it. All due to strong gusts.

Here is a story about the flooding here in Pinellas from the St. Petersburg Times: http://www.tampabay.com/news/weather/hu ... 807199.ece