Alabama thread!

Mornin fellas

 

Hows hospital life?

 

Getting a little stir-crazy

 

Thanks Mike!

 

Hopefully it won’t, but I don’t get why the news is saying it’s gonna get bad up in North Georgia. Unless it’s supposed to head up the coast.

 

Morning Evil Knievel

 

ran out of moto vids huh lol?

 

storm rotates counter clockwise so its going to get the brunt of the storm.

 

It's because it will be moving so fast it won't have time to weaken before the East side of the storm slams into the mountains. We are on the west side here in Cusseta but we'll be close to what's left of the eye so we'll probably get tropical storm force winds.

 

That’s not good cause me and @cubie are not to far from North Georgia, but we do have some mountains between us.

 

These pain meds have had me pretty dang drowsy. I denied the valuum the last 2 mornings. I actually got up and into the chair today

 

I bet

 

Afternoon Phil how are you doing?
I got sent home from work because of the storms. Our plant is on the river.

 

Maybe they’ll send us home since the plant is right beside Lake Guntersville

 

From AlabamaWX

Air Force Hurricane Hunters in Hurricane Helene found maximum flight level winds of 115 knots, the highest we have seen so far a little after 12 noon CDT. The lowest pressure was recorded as 959 mph.

This translates to max winds of 120 as the storm continues to steadily intensify.

000
WTNT64 KNHC 261856
TCUAT4

Hurricane Helene Tropical Cyclone Update
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL092024
300 PM EDT Thu Sep 26 2024

…STORM SURGE AND WINDS INCREASING ALONG THE FLORIDA WEST COAST…
…300 PM EDT POSITION UPDATE…

A Weatherflow station at Egmont Channel at the entrance to Tampa
Bay recently measured a sustained wind of 50 mph (80 km/h) and a
gust to 62 mph (100 km/h).

SUMMARY OF 300 PM EDT…1900 UTC…INFORMATION
———————————————-
LOCATION…26.9N 84.8W
ABOUT 160 MI…255 KM WSW OF TAMPA FLORIDA
ABOUT 195 MI…315 KM S OF APALACHICOLA FLORIDA
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…120 MPH…195 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT…NNE OR 25 DEGREES AT 20 MPH…31 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…959 MB…28.32 INCHES

$$
Forecaster Berg

The crew noted a circular eye 26 nautical miles in diameter. It appears that it might be clearing out on Satellite…



It is clearly visible on the Tampa radar. It is 246 miles south southwest of Tallahassee.



The NHC has consistently predicted a bit of a left turn that looks like it may be happening now.



The Hurricane Hunters are finding widespread 75-90 knot flight level sustained winds in the eastern semicircle, a long way from the center. They inbound for a penetration now.

 

We are getting very close to the landfall of Helene. The storm is currently located 175 miles south of Tallahassee moving at a speed of 23 mph. Landfall should occur within the next 5-6 hours. With their 4PM CDT update, the National Hurricane Center has provided some troubling updates.



Here are the current facts from the NHC:
SUMMARY OF 500 PM EDT…2100 UTC…INFORMATION
———————————————-
LOCATION…27.9N 84.6W
ABOUT 130 MI W OF TAMPA FLORIDA
ABOUT 175 MI S OF TALLAHASSEE FLORIDA
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…125 MPH
PRESENT MOVEMENT…NNE AT 23 MPH
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…951 MB…28.09 INCHES





IMPORTANT UPDATES:
1. The most notable update is the maximum wind speed of 125 mph. Category 4 status is reached at 130 mph, and Helene is very close to that. Unfortunately, the storm still has plenty of time to continue strengthening before it hits the Florida Coast. The NHC notes that Helene will likely be a category 4 hurricane at landfall.
2. Hurricane force winds are extending 60 miles outwards from the low pressure center, and tropical storm force winds are being recorded up to 310 miles from the center. At landfall, it is likely that very strong winds will be felt all across the Big Bend region, especially in the areas nearby the location of landfall.
3. Helene is moving very quickly at 23 miles per hour. After landfall, the storm will begin to dramatically weaken, but will hold onto its hurricane status as it moves inland due to its fast motion. This means that areas beyond the Florida Coast will be met with hurricane force winds.
4. The minimum pressure has dropped to 951 mb.
5. The eyewall has become completely closed, and is beginning to clear out. Unfortunately, this is a sign of a very healthy hurricane. As of right now, there are not many factors that will work to challenge the storm’s strength before landfall.
6. The storm is set to make a northward turn after landfall, going north through Georgia before stalling over the Tennessee Valley.

As noted by the NHC: “If you live in this area and were told to evacuate by local officials, your opportunity to do so is almost over.”



HURRICANE TRACK:



STORM SURGE:
Forecasted storm surge totals remain the same as this morning. 15-20 ft surge is expected in and around the location of landfall (Apalachicola to Chassahowitzka). Lower, but still dangerous, levels of surge are expected for most of the rest of the Florida Coast.





FLOODING:
Flooding concerns also remain similar to this morning. Areas with the highest risk of flash flooding include: Panama City Beach to Tallahassee, FL, and areas north of these locations including Atlanta, and the Appalachia Region.





WINDS:
Almost the entire state of Florida, and the entire state of Georgia will feel tropical storm force winds or higher (greater than 39 mph). This wind field is somewhat uncommon, even for a stronger hurricane, and is due to the fast speed at which Helene will be moving inland.





TORNADOES:
The tornado threat remains the same as it was in earlier updates. Here is a graphic explaining timing and locations:



Note that many areas in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina are currently under a tornado watch. Tornado-warned storms have also been popping up all day long and will continue to do so into the nighttime hours.



RADAR AND SATELLITE IMAGES:











Here is Helene as seen by the Tampa Radar Site:



And here is another view from the Tallahassee Radar Site:

 

684
WTNT64 KNHC 262218
TCUAT4

Hurricane Helene Tropical Cyclone Update
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL092024
620 PM EDT Thu Sep 26 2024

…HELENE NOW AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS CATEGORY 4 HURRICANE…

A NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft currently investigating Helene
recently found that the maximum sustained winds have increased to
130 mph (215 km/h). The minimum central pressure has also decreased
to 947 mb (27.96 inches) based on dropsonde data.

SUMMARY OF 620 PM EDT…2220 UTC…INFORMATION
———————————————-
LOCATION…28.0N 84.5W
ABOUT 120 MI…195 KM W OF TAMPA FLORIDA
ABOUT 165 MI…265 KM S OF TALLAHASSEE FLORIDA
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…130 MPH…215 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT…NNE OR 25 DEGREES AT 23 MPH…37 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…947 MB…27.96 INCHES

 

Thank you for all the weather updates.

 

You're welcome Jeff!

 

Hurricane Helene has officially made landfall in the Florida Big Bend region as a Category 4 hurricane at approximately 11:10 PM EDT (0310 UTC). The eye of the storm struck just east of the mouth of the Aucilla River, about 10 miles west-southwest of Perry, Florida. According to National Weather Service Doppler radar data, Helene’s maximum sustained winds are estimated at 140 mph (225 km/h), with a minimum central pressure of 938 mb (27.70 inches).

Current Conditions:
Location: 30.0°N, 83.7°W
Distance from Cedar Key: Approximately 70 miles (115 km) to the northwest
Distance from Tallahassee: About 45 miles (70 km) to the southeast
Movement: North-northeast at 24 mph (39 km/h)

As Helene continues to move inland, residents in the affected areas should be prepared for hazardous conditions, including severe winds and potential flooding. Stay tuned to local weather updates and follow any safety instructions from emergency management officials.