Mike Watkins
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Mike Watkins
I'm sorry if I am repeating this question, but I just got back online and can't find the information anywhere. Remember M. Watkins was with Sudduth(sp) --- They couldn't get into N.O. so stayed in Mississippi. They had to have been just East of the eye. Has anyone heard from them? Are they OK?
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I got this email message about a posting in the weathervane forum
they are ok
Good afternoon everyone, this is Chris Collura
The "weathervine" team and myself are safely back in Florida. We are ALL OK.
Jeff Gammons (KG4PGA), Myself, and Jim Edds (KG4TBE) spent the storm between Biloxi and Gulfport, Mississippi on the coastal highway 90. I just cannot describe what we saw, as reinforced concrete was once again our choice for "protection" from the outside world.
We witnessed at CLOSE HAND, and fully unobstructed on-shore flow of 150-MPH sustained winds, driving in a storm surge over 20 feet high. The first floor of the coliseum we were in was destroyed and flooded with 5-10 foot waves breaking on top of it. Surreal and hard to comprehend.
Like a horror movie (like "Day after tomorrow" or something like that) or an extreme scary ride you could not turn off or get off of. Destruction like complete disintegration of buildings, boats and docks floating by at 30 MPH from the surge, cars smashing through glass walls, water rushing through doors and hallways with trees, chairs, and fuel-soaked styrofoam mixed in it. --SIGH-- I just cannot take in such sights or "digest" them 2 days after the fact.
Jeff and myself were very quiet, tears in both our eyes driving back home to FL from MS ... This was one hurricane chase we were NOT happy afterwards. Many people paid the ultimate with their lives, and we both were lucky enough to get out of the area, I don't know how I did it.
I almost lost my car during the storm, with 4-5 feet rushing water I grabbed my keys and the comissioners and moved both cars up a stairway wide enough just before water swallowed them. I, stupid, just did not want to lose my car and my equipment, knowing my insurance company would most likely screw me and not pay anyway (remembering when my stuff was stolend in Miami - never got any money from my homeowners).
The footage we got was unreal. I am trying to go over it and get my site updated / stock video lined up with Jeff. Now the "homework" begins and luckily not "funerals" and hospital visits. Thanks lord we are all OK after chasing a "hurricane Charley that lasted 5 hours".
I was so upset over seeing the victims of this disaster, I donated $100 to Red Cross for relief. I would pass that word along.
Again, all is well with us ... Only "Shaken - And stirred"
Chris Collura - KG4PJN
[/b]
they are ok
Good afternoon everyone, this is Chris Collura
The "weathervine" team and myself are safely back in Florida. We are ALL OK.
Jeff Gammons (KG4PGA), Myself, and Jim Edds (KG4TBE) spent the storm between Biloxi and Gulfport, Mississippi on the coastal highway 90. I just cannot describe what we saw, as reinforced concrete was once again our choice for "protection" from the outside world.
We witnessed at CLOSE HAND, and fully unobstructed on-shore flow of 150-MPH sustained winds, driving in a storm surge over 20 feet high. The first floor of the coliseum we were in was destroyed and flooded with 5-10 foot waves breaking on top of it. Surreal and hard to comprehend.
Like a horror movie (like "Day after tomorrow" or something like that) or an extreme scary ride you could not turn off or get off of. Destruction like complete disintegration of buildings, boats and docks floating by at 30 MPH from the surge, cars smashing through glass walls, water rushing through doors and hallways with trees, chairs, and fuel-soaked styrofoam mixed in it. --SIGH-- I just cannot take in such sights or "digest" them 2 days after the fact.
Jeff and myself were very quiet, tears in both our eyes driving back home to FL from MS ... This was one hurricane chase we were NOT happy afterwards. Many people paid the ultimate with their lives, and we both were lucky enough to get out of the area, I don't know how I did it.
I almost lost my car during the storm, with 4-5 feet rushing water I grabbed my keys and the comissioners and moved both cars up a stairway wide enough just before water swallowed them. I, stupid, just did not want to lose my car and my equipment, knowing my insurance company would most likely screw me and not pay anyway (remembering when my stuff was stolend in Miami - never got any money from my homeowners).
The footage we got was unreal. I am trying to go over it and get my site updated / stock video lined up with Jeff. Now the "homework" begins and luckily not "funerals" and hospital visits. Thanks lord we are all OK after chasing a "hurricane Charley that lasted 5 hours".
I was so upset over seeing the victims of this disaster, I donated $100 to Red Cross for relief. I would pass that word along.
Again, all is well with us ... Only "Shaken - And stirred"
Chris Collura - KG4PJN
[/b]
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- Aquawind
- Category 5

- Posts: 6714
- Age: 62
- Joined: Mon Jun 16, 2003 10:41 pm
- Location: Salisbury, NC
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David, I don't know for sure if Mark or Mike bumped into Jeff..Tonight we will find out..
Jes - http://www.weathervine.com/
Paul
Jes - http://www.weathervine.com/
Paul
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- P.K.
- Professional-Met

- Posts: 5149
- Joined: Thu Sep 23, 2004 5:57 pm
- Location: Watford, England
- Contact:
Just how many storm chasers have there been down there?
Jim Bartlett was in Mobile, see UK Weather World Thread for photos of New Orleans, and a report on conditions along the coast.
Jim Bartlett was in Mobile, see UK Weather World Thread for photos of New Orleans, and a report on conditions along the coast.
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