Dangerous Hurricane Frances

[Geoff Boyle]

I heard that this storm could be one of the worst they ever seen. How much damage do you guys think it will cost?

 

[Bob Schafer]

This article:

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/9562709.htm

quotes a woman fleeing the evacuation area that the closest motel reservation she could get was in Alabama.

 

[Thomas Loades]

Also, 1992 was the last year before this year a major hurricane hit Florida, the time George the First was going out of office.

Seems like when Democrats are in office, more of the major hurricanes hit the Carolinas. Time for a statistical study to be committed.

Chris

Not only that, but George the first —> 1 major hurricane.
George the second —> 2 major hurricanes.
Let's hope for Florida's sake there's no George/Bush the third in the future.

 

[B Ozanne]

ZNS Network in Bahamas is live on the web. Link was posted earlier, here it is again.

http://www.znsbahamas.com/#

It's interesting, the anchor seems to know everybody in the country. He is taking calls from around the country and getting damage repots and weather conditions. Then he recognizes the caller and asks him about his family or friends.

 

[David Wolfson]

The circulation center is starting to appear on Miami extended range. Wonder what most of us will be watching for the next four days or so? :wink:

 

[Kurt Silvey]

I had this IR image sent to me from a friend this morning. It shows both Howard & Frances. Pretty cool.
http://members.cox.net/ksilvey/hurricane.jpg

And here is a space photo of Frances

http://members.cox.net/ksilvey/TRCFrances245_N5.jpg

 

[David Young]

Check it out... as of 2:38 pst there is a big cruise ship leaving miami beach... hope they packed sea sickness medicine!

http://www.evs123.com/mbeach/default.htm

Hey, those are neat! Judging by the timestamps on the wide-angle composite shot, it looks like the five cameras snap pictures about 60-90 seconds apart, so if you were to run down the beach fast enough from north to south, you could appear to be in five places at once.

 

[B Ozanne]

Check it out... as of 2:38 pst there is a big cruise ship leaving miami beach... hope they packed sea sickness medicine!

Sounds rough, but all the cruise ships are leaving the east coast of Florida. Cruise Ships, airplanes, navy ships, everything that can be moved will be.

 

[David Wolfson]

Oops. MIA radar is busted. If the image looks like it did an hour ago -- here's why.

Message Date: Sep 03 2004 14:38:14

KAMX WSR-88D HAS ELEVATION/AMPLIFIER CURRENT FAULTS...TECHS ENROUTE TO SITE NOW.
ETA UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME. WILL ADVISE ASAP.

 

[B Ozanne]

What a fantastic time for the radar to go out. Problem doesn't sound to terminal and hopefully it will be fixed soon.

 

[Bob Schafer]

there is a big cruise ship leaving miami beach...

Well, sorry for nit-picking, but I don't see any cruise ships in that picture.

I see freighters.

Cruise ship:

http://www.carnival.com/CMS/Static_Templat...rs_Destiny.aspx

 

[Kurt Silvey]

Florida web cams

http://search.earthcam.com/search.php?word=florida

 

[Carrie Halliday]

It will be interesting to see how the insurance industry bounces back as yet another hurricane aims for the coast. There is already chatter in the insurance industry of problems from Charley:

http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/south...09/02/45494.htm

Of course, Florida does have a disaster fund to help out the insurance industry following the aftermath of Andrew, to the sum of ~ 15 billion.

http://www.fldfs.com/Companies/FHCF.htm

Not sure how much of a hit this fund took from Charlie - but even this may not save all insurers if the gold coast is heavily impacted.

Glen

I hope they don't face what us Texans faced after Allison. Massive rate increases, some companies pulling out of the state and some not writing new policies here or letting current policy holders add to their existing policies (like me).

 

[B Ozanne]

The insurance industry will fare quite well. As mentioned, Florida has a huge relief fund designed to limit insured losses and keep rates low. Most financial experts agree that this will be a positive event for the insurers. After large catastrophes insurance companies have a huge pricing advantage, allowing them to raise rates. After all, they are a business, not a charity.

State governments try to regulate how much they can charge, but the insurers have the upper hand as they can choose not to do business in that state anymore.

http://yahoo.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnfl...004093_4082.htm

 

[Bridget Beddow]

Carrie Halliday wrote:

I hope they don't face what us Texans faced after Allison. Massive rate increases, some companies pulling out of the state and some not writing new policies here or letting current policy holders add to their existing policies (like me).

I went through something of an ordeal with insurance here this past year. The insurance company was switched on my home and as a result, the new company did not cover the wind and hail damages that can occur in my area. We were offered to either sign a new policy that did offer wind and hail damage coverages or to opt out. So I know my house payment is going to jump next year to cover the escrow payment to the insurer.

I was so upset, but what can you do when you choose to live in wind-prone environment knowing that I could be hit by a hurricane any time in the season?