Anyone chasing this beast?

[Gabe Garfield]

Originally posted by Joe Nield
Agreed, going after this one is the ultimate in hubris, especially for those foolish enough to place themselves in New Orleans. I don't care what video you get, if you get out alive, buy a few lottery tickets.

I couldn't agree more. It kind of reminds me of chasing tornadoes, to a certain extent. If you watch a tornado from a safe distance, you feel reasonably safe...it almost feels like watching a 3-D movie. Then, at some point, the tornado gets closer to your position and you realize that you are in actual danger. That feeling of confidence that nothing will ever happen to you quickly fades, and you begin to wonder if you will escape with your life.

I know that most of us have experienced that feeling chasing supercells, but we have all gotten out with our lives (extracting oneself out of such a hairy situation is as easy as driving out of the way, most of the time). Intercepting a hurricane, however, is a far different story. There is nowhere to go. If you are in a bind, you're hosed. It's that simple.

To me, if you are in New Orleans now of your own volition, you are foolish. New Orleans will not exist as we know it by tomorrow afternoon. I'm sure some of these people have a particular vision of what the hurricane will be like...but whatever they imagine Katrina will be is far weaker than what reality will bring. They will see how bad it really is, but by then, it will be too late.

Gabe

 

[Andrew Khan]

That's very true. What type of bind could they get themselves into?

 

[Gabe Garfield]

Any number of things...for starters:

1. Flying debris (that you are vulnerable to because your shelter fell apart in the wind).

2. Rising water.

3. Running out of food/supplies.

4. Disease. Wouldn't you hate to have a bad sickness so far away from civilization?

Gabe

 

[Tom Mitchell]

Hopefully the traffic will have kept people away from New Orleans. I would say that anybody wanting to go near this storm would be much better off in waiting north of I-12/Lake Ponchartrain. I have seen the after effects of a typhoon that was 885 mb on Miyako Island; cars and trucks do fly in those kind of winds!

Except for the few videographers looking to score some cash in exchage for their risking their lives, anyone wanting to go to New Orleans is displaying a serious lack of judgement! Pleae put your ego aside and stay (far) to the north of New Orleans, if you feel you must go. I'm not trying to be harsh or belittle anyone, but in this case, if you are in New Orleans, or the area where this storm makes landfall, curiousity stands a great chance of battering, impaling, drowning, and then killing the cat!

I hope that one is seriously injured. I would love to hear the new that nobody was killed so that I could let myself be amazed at the effects of such a storm on a major city. Unfortunately, I am almost positive that I will be saddened greatly by the number of people who will lose their lives due to ignorance of the power of this storm.

Good luck New Orleans!

Have a great day!
Tom

 

[Andrew Khan]

Thanks for pointing those things out for me. I had not though about the Disease issue, very good point.

 

[Jeff Gammons]

Update - Chris Collura and myself are currently enroute on I10 west in western MS attm. There is zero west bound traffic on I-1O attm with non-stop moving east.

Encountered a small fast moving TCMS (Tropical Cyclone Mini Supercell) along I 10 near Mobile Bay. Other than that will be up all night reviewing locations inland and monitoring radar track trends.

Everyone chasing stay safe and stay far away from the water!

 

[Andrew Khan]

Hey Jeff, in the Tornado Watch thread we were just discussing that isolated embedded supercell below Mobile Bay. It had decent rotation.

 

[gbrenema]

Surviving New Orleans

The main reason I would not want to be in New Orleans right now is not the fact that you might not survive because that can be managed. Being trapped in a city that has drowned with no power,sewage system,fresh water,food and thousands of desperate people while the roads are blocked or wiped out is something I would expect to occur. Getting that super video could be a miserable experience that goes on for days or weeks until you can get out hopefully without having to abandon your car behind you.

 

[Brandon Clement]

Jeff, there are several major parking garages in Gulfport at the casino's. Beau Rivage sits right on the gulf and is 7 stories of steel reinforced concrete. The only problem is the 22 story hotel located SE of the garage. I would really like to be there right now since I think the storm is going to nudge slightly east of north before landfall. Like I said the 22 story hotel is located just SE of the garage and I would not like to be in that garage if the hotel came down. The hotel experienced some pretty major roof damage in Georges. There is another large parking garage at the Imperial Palace casino about a half mile north of the Beau Rivage and the hotel is on the E side of the garage. I know that you guys have chased a lot of hurricanes and seen the damage Ivan did to some of the modern high rise hotels and know that some of these tall hotels could very easily come down. Keep in mind that all the bridges will probrably be destroyed and all the roads in the area will be covered with debris like large boats and houses. I know the area pretty well so PM me if you need any advice or anything. Please be careful and I still don't know if I am jealous or thankful. I get butterflies just thinking about it. Also the storm surge for Camille was recorded at 25 feet. so make sure you find some altitude. Best of luck to you guys and please feel free to ask if you need anything.

 

[Jeff Lawson]

Having ridden out the northeastern eyewall of a mere 90kt typhoon last week here in Japan, I couldn't even imagine riding out Katrina. I mean, 90kts was rough enough...but 140kts? Sheesh.

I wish all of my friends chasing the storm luck. And to anyone planning to set up in New Orleans proper: you're out of your freakin' mind, but I wish you luck nonetheless.

 

[a7knight (guest)]

I live in Fort Lauderdale, FL... Katrina hit us pretty decently when it was a category 1 hurricane. Even with the category 1, I lost one royal palm tree and one oak tree in my yard... Powerlines snaped and roofs got damaged. Plus, due to flooding, some people were riding jetskis after the storm in some parts of my neighborhood. After 2 days of heat, i finally got my power back.

Take this scenario, which is pretty bad considering the strengh of the winds and multiply this by 100. That's what kind of risk you are putting yourselves in. I enjoy walkin up and down my neighborhood during a hurricane, just to feel the wind and see some fallin limbs (maybe take a few pics here and there), but chasing a cat. 5 is completely insane. If you want to really see the devestation live in New Orleans, i'd suggest turning on a news channel, because attempting to chase this beast is suicide.

But, hell, it's a free country... if you really want to do it, kudos to you. Just remember to watch your back. :wink:

 

[carey libby]

i wonder if they are going to have any of the D.O.Ws set up anywhere to record any of this?

 

[SteveCarter]

Well, I DID take my own advice, and I'm sitting safely at home, with my laptop on the corner of the couch, and the weather channel in front of me. I'll be up ALL night until landfall, which I;m assuming will be around 6AM sometime. EST The forecast here ON THE WEATHER CHANNEL - is saying isolated tornadoes here tomorrow late, throughout the night. Already, my sister and her family are making plans to come here for the night tomorrow night, because we live in a latge brick house, and she is petrified of another tornado there in Georgia. I REALLY wanted to drive the 6-7 hours and weather this storm, but.....my family was literally having a tasmanian fit, so.....I'm staying put. Probably for the best. Going to go make a fresh pot of coffee, and settle in. Good LUCK to any of you guys out there risking your lives. You'll need a lotta luck on THIS one.

 

[ccasey]

Storm Chasers and Technology

Would like to hear from all of you experienced chasers....I realize that you do lose general ability to communicate, but, given the fact that technology is more advanced in 05 than in the past, such as Camille in 1969 and I am not sure the years of the other canes, does that improve the chances at all? Does it improve the chances that if this storm is that severe, more will survive?

 

[Bob Hall]

I am going to break the rules (and willing to pay the consequences) with a forbidden cross-post. I originally posted this in the “map roomâ€￾ which is restricted to StormTrack members. Upon further reflection, I realize that anyone astute enough to visit StormTrack deserves this information.

I just spoke to a college friend who works as a contractor at the FEMA National Processing Service Center (NPSC) in Denton, TX. This call center will be the lead for helping people with aid after this Hurricane has done its damage. FEMA is pulling out all of the stops on this one. They have basically dusted off many of the continuity of government plans that were created for a limited attack of the United States by the former Soviet Union. There will be a massive military presence as soon as the storm is deemed “safe.â€￾

I would suggest all chasers heed directions by anyone that appears to be in authority. The local sheriff does not have time to deal with you, but a 22 year old reservist with an M-16 would probably much rather guard you than throw around 75 pound sand bags.

Technically, as a disaster has been declared people can already call to apply for assistance 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). The speech or hearing impaired may call (TTY) 1-800-462-7585.

If you have friends or relatives that will be affected, please do everything you can to get them into the system early. With their permission, you may want to call FEMA as them. Be prepared to give their Social Security number, describe the losses, provide financial information, and give directions to the damaged property. (Given the intensity, it is not too hard to estimate total destruction).

I am not advocating fraud, just helping loved one get in early so they can get aid the fastest. This is how the Federal government works.