Isaac moves more westward than predicted: moves past Florida into Mississipi area - Polidicks

[url]http://www.tampabay.com/news/weather/hurricanes/tampa-bay-will-be-spared-from-the-worst-of-isaac/1247986[/url] [quote]TAMPA — As Tampa Bay residents and wary Republican conventioneers braced Sunday for an onslaught from Tropical Storm Isaac, the oddly inscrutable storm was headed farther west than first predicted, suggesting the thousands of politicos and protesters gathered here could be spared a lasting bout of severe weather. Emergency shelters opened as a precaution in Pinellas and Hillsborough counties, and public schools in Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco and Hernando counties were scheduled to close Monday — echoing the Republican National Committee's choice Saturday to cancel the first day of the GOP convention in Tampa. Weather forecasters, however, said Isaac's potential for damaging the Tampa Bay area was diminishing, with the sprawling storm now expected to be hundreds of miles offshore when it reaches this latitude. The worst conditions were anticipated to arrive Sunday night and Monday morning, then rapidly fade as the storm drives toward the upper rim of the Gulf Coast. This region could still be in for rain and high-speed winds that might cause flooding and complicate travel on the bridges that connect the bay area. Isaac is a dissipated weather formation, a trait that so far has prevented the storm from focusing its strength — but also caused it to cut a wide swath. Tropical storm-force winds could be felt more than 200 miles away from the storm's center, including in Tampa Bay, according to the National Hurricane Center. After weeks of steady rainfall, even a small excess of water carries the risk of flooding. "It looks like the center of Isaac will stay far enough offshore to avoid any hurricane impacts," said Bay News 9 meteorologist Josh Linker, adding, "there could still be flooding, because the ground is so saturated." After passing through the Straits of Florida on Sunday, Isaac moved over the Florida Keys and veered into the Gulf of Mexico. It was predicted to make landfall as a hurricane Tuesday somewhere on the stretch of shore between eastern Louisiana and the Florida Panhandle, a danger zone that includes New Orleans. At 5 p.m. Sunday, the storm was about 40 miles southwest of Key West, moving west-northwest at 16 mph. It will likely be closest to Tampa Bay late Sunday and early Monday, said Mike Clay, chief meteorologist for Bay News 9. During that period, the area could see wind and rain similar to what accompanied Tropical Storm Debby in June. The National Weather Service predicted winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts of up to 55 mph Sunday night and Monday. Officials will close the Sunshine Skyway if sustained winds hit 40 mph. Tampa Bay will see 2 to 4 inches of rain Sunday night and Monday, according to the National Weather Service. A 2-to-4 foot rise in water levels was also anticipated because of the combined storm and high tide, adding to the risk of flooding in low-lying waterfront neighborhoods, the hurricane center said. The good news for the bay area: Unlike Debby, which brooded over the Gulf Coast for days and caused severe flooding, Isaac will quickly continue its path. Despite downgraded estimates of the storm's impact on Sunday, local officials and residents were busy preparing for its approach. Pinellas and Hillsborough counties declared a state of emergency, opening shelters for those affected by flooding. Most scheduled proceedings in Pinellas and Pasco courts were canceled for Monday. Pasco ordered its government offices closed, but Hernando's will be open. In Hillsborough, county government offices including the tax collector and supervisor of elections agencies were closed. Hillsborough jail inmates volunteered to fill sandbags, and by Sunday morning had made about 2,800. Such precautionary zeal wasn't the norm everywhere. On Pinellas beaches, hammered during Tropical Storm Debby and now swarming with Republican delegates packed into waterfront hotels, an attitude of unconcern reigned. Beneath an overcast sky and drizzle, visitors mostly stayed off the celebrated white-sand beaches. "I'm not worried at all, because it doesn't seem like a bad one," Kentucky GOP delegate Laura LaRue said over brunch Sunday at the Wyndham Garden Hotel on Clearwater Beach. "I don't want to take anything lightly, but it's rain. We're going to be indoors anyway" at the convention, she said. Florida Highway Patrol Sgt. Steve Gaskins said the bridges connecting Pinellas and Hillsborough counties — and affording access to Tampa for the many GOP delegates staying on the Pinellas shoreline — would close only if water from the bay washed into the roadways. He said "numerous troopers" already stationed at the bridges because of convention-related security concerns were keeping an eye out for flooding. A tropical storm warning — meaning winds from 39 to 73 mph are expected within 36 hours, often accompanied by intense rain — was in effect for the west coast of Florida south of Anclote Key, near the Pinellas-Pasco county line. A similar warning put out early Sunday for Pasco and Hernando counties was canceled in the afternoon. A hurricane warning was issued for the Panhandle west of Destin, as well as the coasts of Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana. A hurricane watch — a lesser form of alert than a warning — was in effect between Destin and Indian Pass, southwest of Tallahassee. At news briefings Sunday, Gov. Rick Scott said he was particularly concerned about flooding in the storm-saturated Panhandle, to which Debby brought extensive damage. He advised visitors to the Republican National Convention staying in Pinellas County to avoid crossing bridges into Hillsborough County in storm conditions. "Everybody needs to continue to be cautious," he said. He said the revised storm forecast was "good news for Florida but not for Mississippi." Should the storm bring serious damage to neighboring Gulf Coast states later in the week, Scott said, Florida would "direct resources to other states" to help. "We in Florida know how to deal with hurricanes," Scott said.[/quote] Extremely good news for me, but not so much for you guys where the storm will be hit. Please try and stay safe!

GOD DAMN IT fucking Isaac get back over here to Florida and cause thousands of dollars of damage because I don't like going to school on Mondays

I wonder how much old oil adrift in the gulf will wash ashore after it hit?

darn it, that's me :(

[QUOTE=IdiotStorm;37422144]GOD DAMN IT fucking Isaac get back over here to Florida and cause thousands of dollars of damage because I don't like going to school on Mondays[/QUOTE] Miamifag here, public schools and most universities are closed here on Monday. Time for video games.

[QUOTE=Swiket;37422178]Miamifag here, public schools and most universities are closed here on Monday. Time for video games.[/QUOTE] being in central Florida sucks dick

[QUOTE=Ithon;37422161]I wonder how much old oil adrift in the gulf will wash ashore after it hit?[/QUOTE] Probably zero because crude oil sinks over time. [editline]26th August 2012[/editline] [b][u]MAPS OUTDATED[/u][/b] Here are the models for those too lazy to go to the Wunderground: [img]http://i.imgur.com/WL236.gif[/img] [img]http://i.imgur.com/8U2Mo.gif[/img] [img]http://i.imgur.com/41Tmq.gif[/img] [img]http://i.imgur.com/vfGoz.gif[/img] The way it's been curving west I wouldn't be surprised if it made landfall on the Louisiana Texas border.

You're able to view the hurricane hunter data (the planes that go into hurricanes to collect info and stuff) here: [url]http://tropicalatlantic.com/recon/live/[/url] Quite useful to see what the NHC will put up winds as.

dammit, it's going over where I live. >:

Consequently, by moving into the Gulf, it's going to get much larger than previously thought. The sea surface temperature in the Gulf is around the high 80s, low 90s (Fahrenheit) which is going to act like a super-charger.

As someone living in the New Orleans area and having been through storms like Katrina, I do not like the look of this one. Not one bit. Even if by some miracle this doesn't do any property damage, I'll still be spending the better part of the next few days stuck in evacuation traffic and in hotels while the TV says my house and all my stuff is getting battered.

Fuck, that means gas prices are going to go up again. Just when I have to start commuting to my university for the fall. Shit.

I want it to come and rain all over Central Texas (Austin Area) because I would sure love that, along with Lake Travis, since she sure needs a lot of water.

[QUOTE=Dysgalt;37422346]I want it to come and rain all over Central Texas (Austin Area) because I would sure love that, along with Lake Travis, since she sure needs a lot of water.[/QUOTE] I think a hurricane would provide a bit [I]too much[/I] water for anywhere.

[QUOTE=Emperor Scorpious II;37422401]I think a hurricane would provide a bit [I]too much[/I] water for anywhere.[/QUOTE] Our lake is down over 50 feet.

i really hope the coast doesn't get fucking rocked like it does with a lot of hurricanes

[QUOTE=Lt_C;37422334]As someone living in the New Orleans area and having been through storms like Katrina, I do not like the look of this one. Not one bit. Even if by some miracle this doesn't do any property damage, I'll still be spending the better part of the next few days stuck in evacuation traffic and in hotels while the TV says my house and all my stuff is getting battered.[/QUOTE]If it does hit New Orleans I really hope the Army Corp of Engineers' new levees hold out.

[QUOTE=OvB;37422250] [img]http://i.imgur.com/41Tmq.gif[/img] [/QUOTE] Please take the white line! I want some thunderstorms, dammit.

Tallahassee's magical weather powers prevail once again. Hoorah!

RIP me

I hope there's still a reasonable amount of power behind it if it curves up to New England. I love a good thunderstorm.

[QUOTE=Political Gamer;37422557]If it does hit New Orleans I really hope the Army Corp of Engineers' new levees hold out.[/QUOTE] It's not nearly strong enough to take them out.

[QUOTE=Clovernoodle;37422723]I hope there's still a reasonable amount of power behind it if it curves up to New England. I love a good thunderstorm.[/QUOTE] stop it [editline]26th August 2012[/editline] by the way, east of the hurricane gets the worst part of it. I'm east of the projected landing. this is going to be like Georges all over again except I won't be able to go to the air force base to escape the stupid

[QUOTE=Funky Pickle;37422738]It's not nearly strong enough to take them out.[/QUOTE]Considering they just finished building them a year ago they better be. Nevertheless, you are right in saying this won't be probably strong enough to do nearly as much damage. Katrina got up to Cat5 then dropped down to Cat3 when it made landfall, this is only going to reach Cat2 tops with the current projections. But since its better to prepare for the worst here are some handy evac guides for New Orleans and Houston: [url]http://media.nola.com/weather_impact/images/contraflow-map-animation-660.gif[/url] [url]http://ftp.dot.state.tx.us/pub/txdot-info/trv/hurricane/i10_contraflow.pdf[/url] [url]http://ftp.dot.state.tx.us/pub/txdot-info/trv/hurricane/us290_contraflow.pdf[/url] [url]http://ftp.dot.state.tx.us/pub/txdot-info/trv/hurricane/i45_contraflow.pdf[/url] [url]http://ftp.dot.state.tx.us/pub/txdot-info/trv/hurricane/us59_contraflow.pdf[/url]

Aw yeah, it's curving past us AND they already canceled school on Monday.

[QUOTE=OvB;37422250] The way it's been curving west I wouldn't be surprised if it made landfall on the Louisiana Texas border.[/QUOTE] it better fucking not i'm serious Isaac i will flip you so many birds if you come over here while i'm home alone

Fuck, it's gunning right for the Gulf oil rigs. Get ready for massive price gouging.

Central Florida here, thank fuck they already cancelled school tomorrow.

I read somewhere that Biloxi is going to be hit first. Really hate my job sometimes. First thing in my head was "Oh we process for them... Harrison County District 2... goddamnit"

[QUOTE=S31-Syntax;37423682]I read somewhere that Biloxi is going to be hit first. Really hate my job sometimes. First thing in my head was "Oh we process for them... Harrison County District 2... goddamnit"[/QUOTE] You're from Biloxi too? Hope you're having fun getting ready, because I'm sure as hell not.