Fay / Cuba / Bahamas / Florida (obs / preps / reports)

[Extremeweatherguy]

My flight getting out of Orlando on Tuesday afternoon is really looking questionable. I am a bit worried because even if we are not in the stronger winds by then, we should still be getting some potentially tornadic outer bands and heavy squalls, which may cause Continental to either delay or cancel the 12pm flight. I've noticed that Continental is already canceling flights down in Key West for tomorrow, so I am wondering if they may take the same course of action up here during the day on Tuesday. It is definitely going to be a close call, and the speed, track and size of Fay over the next 24-36 hours will be crucial!

Needless to say, I am watching the progression of this storm much more closely than I usually would.

[JonathanBelles]

000
NOUS42 KTBW 171602
PNSTBW
FLZ039-042-043-048>052-055>057-060>062-065-181600-

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT - HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAMPA BAY AREA - RUSKIN FL
1200 PM EDT SUN AUG 17 2008

NOW IS THE TIME TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS AND SECURE YOUR PROPERTY.
THE FOLLOWING ARE SOME SUGGESTIONS FOR PREPARING FOR THE STORM.

GROCERY STORE MAY SELL OUT OF ITEMS SOON. STOCK UP ON...
BATTERIES FOR RADIOS AND FLASHLIGHTS
CANNED OR DRIED FOOD AND DRINKING WATER
FIRST AID SUPPLIES
PRESCRIPTION MEDICINE
CASH...CREDIT CARDS AND ATM`S MAY NOT WORK WITHOUT POWER
FUEL FOR AUTOMOBILES...GENERATORS AND CHAIN SAWS

AROUND THE HOUSE...
STORE LOOSE ITEMS SUCH AS TRASH CANS OR YARD FURNITURE
SECURE WINDOWS WITH SHUTTERS... BOARDS ETC
BATTERY OPERATED RADIOS ARE WORKING
MOVE BOAT TO A SAFE LOCATION
TRIM LARGE TREES THAT COULD FALL ON HOUSE
MAKE SURE VALUABLE PAPERS ARE SECURE

MAKE RESERVATIONS NOW. PLAN TO EVACUATE IF YOU LIVE...
IN A MOBILE HOME
ON THE COAST
IN A LOW LYING FLOOD PRONE AREA
IN A HIGH RISE

IF YOU MUST EVACUATE TO A PUBLIC SHELTER REMEMBER TO BRING...
FIRST AID KIT
MEDICINE
BABY FOOD AND DIAPERS
TOILETRIES
CHANGE OF CLOTHES
BATTERY POWERED RADIO AND EXTRA BATTERIES
FLASHLIGHT
SLEEPING BAGS OR BLANKETS
IDENTIFICATION
VALUABLE PAPERS
CASH
GAMES

REMEMBER...PETS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN PUBLIC SHELTERS.

IF YOU ARE STAYING AT HOME...
TURN REFRIGERATOR TO MAXIMUM COLD
TURN OFF PROPANE TANKS
UNPLUG SMALL APPLIANCES
FILL STERILIZED JUGS AND BOTTLES WITH WATER FOR DRINKING
FILL BATH TUB AND CONTAINERS WITH WATER FOR SANITARY
PURPOSES

WHEN WINDS BECOME STRONG...
STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS
REMAIN IN A SMALL INTERIOR ROOM ON THE FIRST FLOOR
CLOSE ALL INTERIOR DOORS
SECURE AND BRACE EXTERIOR DOORS.

PRECAUTIONS OUTSIDE YOUR HOME SHOULD BE STARTED NOW WHILE THE
WEATHER IS STILL GOOD. IT MAY BE IMPOSSIBLE TO WORK OUTSIDE SOON.

..DEFINITIONS:

HURRICANE WATCH...
HURRICANE CONDITIONS ARE POSSIBLE IN THE SPECIFIED AREA OF THE WATCH
USUALLY WITHIN 36 HOURS. DURING A HURRICANE WATCH...PREPARE TO TAKE
IMMEDIATE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR FAMILY AND PROPERTY IN CASE A
HURRICANE WARNING IS ISSUED.

HURRICANE WARNING...
HURRICANE CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED IN THE SPECIFIED ARE OF THE
WARNING...USUALLY WITHIN 24 HOURS. COMPLETE ALL STORM PREPARATION
AND EVACUATE IF DIRECTED BY LOCAL OFFICIALS.

ASTRONOMICAL TIDE...
THE PERIODIC RISE AND FALL OF THE WATERS OF THE OCEAN AND
ITS INLETS...PRODUCED BY THE ATTRACTION OF THE MOON AND SUN...AND
OCCURRING ABOUT EVERY 12 HOURS.

STORM SURGE...
A LARGE DOME OF WATER OFTEN 50 TO 100 MILES WIDE THAT SWEEPS ACROSS
THE COASTLINE NEAR WHERE A HURRICANE MAKES LANDFALL.

STORM TIDE...
THE COMBINATION OF THE STORM SURGE AND THE NORMAL ASTRONOMICAL TIDE.

INLAND TROPICAL STORM WATCH...
TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS FOR INLAND AREAS EXPECTED WITHIN 36
HOURS.

INLAND TROPICAL STORM WARNING...
TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS FOR INLAND AREAS EXPECTED WITHIN 24
HOURS.

INLAND HURRICANE WATCH...
HURRICANE FORCE WINDS FOR INLAND AREA EXPECTED WITHIN 36 HOURS.

INLAND HURRICANE WARNING...
HURRICANE FORCE WINDS FOR INLAND AREAS EXPECTED WITHIN 24 HOURS.

$$

[AdamFirst]

Wee hours of the morning here in terms of TV viewing.

No stations giving updates. I think for WPTV, the NBC Affiliate in West Palm Beach, cutting through Olympics coverage would be a cardinal sin.

[Extremeweatherguy]

The strong band forming just south of Florida will probably be giving those in the Keys a rude awakening later tonight...

http://radar.weather.gov/radar.php?rid= ... 1&loop=yes

[Scorpion]

Extremely still and humid this morning. Calm before the storm. Felt like this before Wilma, too.

[dolebot_Broward_NW]

http://www.wulfden.org/APRSQuery.shtml

Gateway to query APRS (Automatic Packet Reporting System). Mostly used by ham radio operators as a sort of poor-mans GPRS. APRS provides weather data as well as position and other data.

Use a south florida ZIP code such as "33179" or "33063" or even lat/long (25.5n, 80.1w) - then click the ** under the WX heading to see the weather data. Most are good stations!

[dolebot_Broward_NW]

AT 595/turnpike/sr84 area - (specifially 30th ave off SR84) - Just had one heck of a shower. Tropical small drop rain - very very heavy and thick. Its black outside! Very very dark grey eve. It looks like twilight in december before a snow-blizzard!

Not much wind byut very thick clouds and the rain was quite intense for a minute.

[JonathanBelles]

Alachua
TS Wind Watch

Baker
TS Wind Watch

Bradford
TS Wind Watch

Broward
TS Warning
TS Wind Warning
Tornado Watch
FAU closing on Monday at noon
County Government offices at noon on Monday
Broward County libraries will be closed all day on Monday
Broward County parks will be close at noon on Monday
Animal Care shelters in Pompano and Fort Lauderdale will be closed on Monday
Broward County public schools will be closed on Monday
Hollywood Christian Academy will be closed on Monday


Charlotte
Hurricane Warning
Voluntary Evacuation

Citrus
None

Clay
TS Wind Watch

Collier
Hurricane Watch
TS Wind Warning
TS Warning
Tornado Watch
Voluntary Evacuation of those west and south of US 41

Columbia
TS Wind Watch

DeSoto
Hurricane Warning

Duval
TS Watch
TS Wind Watch

Flagler
TS Wind Watch
TS Watch

Gilchrist
TS Wind Watch

Glades
TS Wind Warning
Tornado Watch

Hamilton
TS Wind Watch

Hardee
Hurricane Wind Watch
No School Tuesday

Hendry
TS Wind Warning
Tornado Watch

Hernando
none

Highlands
---Hurricane Wind Watch
---No School Tuesday
---Sandbags available at the EOC, 6850 W. George Blvd, Sebring, Sheriff’s Tower Road Monday at noon (up to 25 bags)
---Shelters---
Will open Monday evening 8/18/08 at 1800 hours
Avon Park Recreation Center – 207 E. State Street, Avon Park
Woodlawn Elementary School in the cafeteria – 718 Fielder Blvd, Sebring
Lake Placid High School – 202 Green Dragon Drive, Lake Placid

Hillsborough
Hurricane Watch
No School Tuesday

Indian River
TS Watch

Lake
TS Wind Watch

Lee
Hurricane Warning

Manatee
Hurricane Warning

Marion
TS Wind Watch

Martin
TS Watch

Miami-Dade
TS Warning
TS Wind Warning
Tornado Watch
Sandbags are available in the City of Homestead
11th Judicial Circuit of Florida will be closed on Monday
No School Monday
Tolls: Suspended on Turnpike Ext. NB, Homestead to Miami-Dade line

Monroe
Hurricane Watch
TS Warning
Tornado Watch
Local State of Emergency
Evacuation of all visitors
No School Monday or Tuesday
City and County offices closed Monday
Sheriffs office is closed Monday and Tuesday
---Shelters to open at 7pm---
Key West High School on Flagler Avenue in Key West
Sugarloaf School on Crane Boulevard, just off the bayside of the 19 mile marker of Highway U.S. One
Stanley Switlik Elementary School at 3400 Overseas Highway in Marathon
Coral Shores High School, mile marker 90 on Highway U.S. One in Islamorada
Key West Airport will close at 10am

Nassau
TS Watch
TS Wind Watch

Okeechobee
TS Wind Watch

Orange
TS Wind Watch

Osceola
TS Wind Watch

Palm Beach
TS Warning
TS Wind Warning
Tornado Watch
FAU closing on Monday at noon

Pasco
none

Pinellas
Hurricane Watch
St. Petersburg College is closed on Monday

Polk
Hurricane Wind Watch
---Special Needs Shelters open Monday--- (pre register at (863) 534-5600 )
* Haines City Adult Day Care Center – 751 Scenic Hwy,
* Haines CityLakeland Adult Day Care Center – 1200 Southern Ave., Lakeland
* Polk County Health Department (PCHD) Bartow Specialty Unit – 1255 Brice Blvd., Bartow
Sandbags will be available at
* Golfview – 2902 Hwy 60 East in Lake Wales
* Jan Phyl – 333 American Spirit Blvd in Winter Haven
* Providence – 8936 Hwy 98 N in north LakelandWillow Oak – 4210 Willis Road in Mulberry
*Maximum of 30 sanbags

Putnum
TS Wind Watch


Sarasota
Hurricane Warning
Local State of Emergency
Mandatory Level A Evacuation
Shelters will open after 5 p.m. Monday

Seminole
TS Wind Watch

St. Johns
TS Wind Watch
TS Watch

St. Lucie
FAU closing on Monday at noon
TS Watch

Suwannee
TS Wind Watch

Union
TS Wind Watch

Volusia
TS Wind Watch


Updated Watches/Warnings 8-18 12:50p
Closures/Evacs 8-18 9:20am

I am watching too many counties, so these updates are going to take awhile

[JonathanBelles]

Pinellas County Commission to Meet at 1 p.m. Today

The Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners will hold a Hurricane Disaster Meeting at 1 p.m. today in the Fifth-Floor Assembly Room of the Pinellas County Courthouse, 315 Court St., Clearwater.

The commission will convene at 1:30 p.m. for an Emergency Meeting to conduct timely business.

[HURAKAN]

0.65 inches so far today and 0.76 inches since yesterday.

[JonathanBelles]

Very High Cirrus clouds will a small stagnant breeze. very near dead calm.

[wsquared77]

If someone could post conditions in far southern Miami-Dade every now and then, I would greatly appreciate it. We have recently moved to Eastern NC but still own our house (which, of course, hasn't sold! ) in Homestead. I'd like to keep informed about what's going on. Thanks!

[Jinkers]

Lots of rain, still humid, heard a crack of thunder this morning that rattled my house-lol. No wind at all yet.

[Dee Bee]

Here in Boynton Beach (SE Palm Beach County), a heavy rain and thunder squall went through around 10 a.m. tapering to light rain since around 11. No wind to speak of.

[Extremeweatherguy]

Why is there a big gap in the watches and warnings surrounding Orlando?

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/mlb/

Shouldn't we already be under a tropical storm wind watch or warning? If the current track plays out, then the winds should be reaching us in about 20-30 hours.

NEVERMIND: Watches just issued.

[JonathanBelles]

Don Gremaise is in Punta Gorda again!!!

[sittingduck]

Sarasota County Schools closed tomorrow

[JonathanBelles]

roads nearly empty




Walmart was not nearly as busy as I would have thought.












Walgreens was also empty

Winn Dixie was also not very busy

[CrazyC83]

TORNADO WARNING
FLC087-181700-
/O.NEW.KKEY.TO.W.0001.080818T1637Z-080818T1700Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE KEY WEST FL
1237 PM EDT MON AUG 18 2008

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN KEY WEST HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
LOWER KEYS IN MONROE COUNTY IN FLORIDA...
MIDDLE KEYS IN MONROE COUNTY IN FLORIDA...

* UNTIL 100 PM EDT

* AT 1230 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
VIOLENT WATERSPOUT 7 MILES SOUTHEAST OF PIDGEON KEY...OR 6 MILES
SOUTH OF MARATHON...MOVING NORTHWEST AT 40 MPH.

* THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
THE SEVEN MILE BRIDGE BY 1240 PM EDT...
PIDGEON KEY BY 1240 PM EDT...
OHIO KEY AND BAHIA HONDA KEY BY 1245 PM EDT...
BIG PINE KEY AND LITTLE TORCH KEY BY 1255 PM EDT...
MIDDLE TORCH KEY BY 100 PM EDT...

WHEN A TORNADO WARNING IS ISSUED BASED ON DOPPLER RADAR...IT MEANS
THAT STRONG ROTATION HAS BEEN DETECTED IN THE STORM. A TORNADO MAY
ALREADY BE ON THE GROUND...OR IS EXPECTED TO DEVELOP SHORTLY. IF YOU
ARE IN THE PATH OF THIS DANGEROUS STORM...MOVE INDOORS AND TO THE
LOWEST LEVEL OF THE BUILDING. STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS. IF DRIVING...DO
NOT SEEK SHELTER UNDER A HIGHWAY OVERPASS.

TORNADOES ASSOCIATED WITH TROPICAL CYCLONES MOVE RAPIDLY...ARE OFTEN
WRAPPED IN HEAVY RAIN...AND ARE DIFFICULT TO SEE OR HEAR UNTIL THEY
ARE VERY CLOSE. SEEK SAFE SHELTER IMMEDIATELY!

IF IN MOBILE HOMES OR VEHICLES...EVACUATE THEM AND GET INSIDE A
STURDY SHELTER. IF NO SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...LIE FLAT IN A LOW SPOT
ON THE GROUND AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.

PLEASE REPORT SEVERE WEATHER TO THE NEAREST LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT
AGENCY OR THE U.S. COAST GUARD...AND ASK THAT YOUR REPORT BE RELAYED
TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE KEY WEST. YOU MAY CONTACT THE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DIRECTLY AT 3 0 5...2 9 5...1 3 1
6...EXTENSION 3.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1100 PM EDT MONDAY EVENING
FOR CENTRAL FLORIDA.

LAT...LON 2471 8151 2474 8151 2478 8149 2476 8133
2480 8128 2477 8126 2474 8129 2468 8128
2468 8122 2472 8117 2469 8111 2469 8120
2462 8133
TIME...MOT...LOC 1634Z 119DEG 36KT 2464 8115

$$

11

[JonathanBelles]

Alachua
TS Wind Watch

Baker
TS Wind Watch

Bradford
TS Wind Watch

Broward
TS Warning
TS Wind Warning
Tornado Watch
FAU closing on Monday at noon
County Government offices at noon on Monday
Broward County libraries will be closed all day on Monday
Broward County parks will be close at noon on Monday
Animal Care shelters in Pompano and Fort Lauderdale will be closed on Monday
Broward County public schools will be closed on Monday and Tuesday
Hollywood Christian Academy will be closed on Monday


Charlotte
Hurricane Warning
Voluntary Evacuation

Citrus
None

Clay
TS Wind Watch

Collier
Hurricane Watch
TS Wind Warning
TS Warning
Tornado Watch
Voluntary Evacuation of those west and south of US 41
No School on Tuesday
All Government is closed

Columbia
TS Wind Watch

DeSoto
Hurricane Warning

Duval
TS Watch
TS Wind Watch

Flagler
TS Wind Watch
TS Watch

Gilchrist
TS Wind Watch

Glades
TS Wind Warning
Tornado Watch

Hamilton
TS Wind Watch

Hardee
Hurricane Wind Watch
No School Tuesday

Hendry
TS Wind Warning
Tornado Watch

Hernando
No School Tuesday

Highlands
---Hurricane Wind Watch
---No School Tuesday
---Sandbags available at the EOC, 6850 W. George Blvd, Sebring, Sheriff’s Tower Road Monday at noon (up to 25 bags)
---Shelters---
Will open Monday evening 8/18/08 at 1800 hours
Avon Park Recreation Center – 207 E. State Street, Avon Park
Woodlawn Elementary School in the cafeteria – 718 Fielder Blvd, Sebring
Lake Placid High School – 202 Green Dragon Drive, Lake Placid

Hillsborough
Hurricane Watch
No School Tuesday
Local State of Emergency

Indian River
TS Watch

Lake
TS Wind Watch
No School

Lee
Hurricane Warning

Manatee
Hurricane Warning

Marion
TS Wind Watch

Martin
TS Watch

Miami-Dade
TS Warning
TS Wind Warning
Tornado Watch
Sandbags are available in the City of Homestead
11th Judicial Circuit of Florida will be closed on Monday
No School Monday or Tuesday
Tolls: Suspended on Turnpike Ext. NB, Homestead to Miami-Dade line

Monroe
Hurricane Watch
TS Warning
Tornado Watch
Local State of Emergency
Evacuation of all visitors
No School Monday or Tuesday
City and County offices closed Monday
Sheriffs office is closed Monday and Tuesday
---Shelters to open at 7pm---
Key West High School on Flagler Avenue in Key West
Sugarloaf School on Crane Boulevard, just off the bayside of the 19 mile marker of Highway U.S. One
Stanley Switlik Elementary School at 3400 Overseas Highway in Marathon
Coral Shores High School, mile marker 90 on Highway U.S. One in Islamorada
Key West Airport will close at 10am

Nassau
TS Watch
TS Wind Watch

Okeechobee
TS Wind Watch

Orange
TS Wind Watch

Osceola
TS Wind Watch
No School

Palm Beach
TS Warning
TS Wind Warning
Tornado Watch
FAU closing on Monday at noon

Pasco
none

Pinellas
Hurricane Watch
St. Petersburg College is closed on Monday
Sandbag information: http://www.pinellascounty.org/emergency/sandbags.htm
Eckerd College is closed

Polk
Hurricane Wind Watch
---Special Needs Shelters open Monday--- (pre register at (863) 534-5600 )
* Haines City Adult Day Care Center – 751 Scenic Hwy,
* Haines CityLakeland Adult Day Care Center – 1200 Southern Ave., Lakeland
* Polk County Health Department (PCHD) Bartow Specialty Unit – 1255 Brice Blvd., Bartow
Sandbags will be available at
* Golfview – 2902 Hwy 60 East in Lake Wales
* Jan Phyl – 333 American Spirit Blvd in Winter Haven
* Providence – 8936 Hwy 98 N in north LakelandWillow Oak – 4210 Willis Road in Mulberry
*Maximum of 30 sanbags
No School Tuesday or Wednesday

Putnum
TS Wind Watch


Sarasota
Hurricane Warning
Local State of Emergency
Mandatory Level A Evacuation
Shelters will open after 5 p.m. Monday

Seminole
TS Wind Watch
No School

St. Johns
TS Wind Watch
TS Watch

St. Lucie
FAU closing on Monday at noon
TS Watch

Suwannee
TS Wind Watch

Union
TS Wind Watch

Volusia
TS Wind Watch


Updated Watches/Warnings 8-18 12:50p
Closures/Evacs 8-18 1pm

I am watching too many counties, so these updates are going to take awhile