Hurricane Chasing 101 for 2008

[Mark Sudduth]

Just watch out for Skeletore. You can't miss him if you see him, just don't let him run over you or you'll never be seen again.

And, enjoy the sand. You'll have sand in your camera, your scalp, your ear holes, and any other opening that said category four hurricane can drive it in to. And if you're really lucky, you'll get to experience the "4" on a barrier island where the sand will be quite plentiful. Just watch out for the storm surge. That tends to be a real show killer for people who have never been in a hurricane- much less a category four.

These are not negatives. These are real things to consider. Skeletore included.

 

[Jason Foster]

Take it slow

Whether your really are careless, or your words just come across that way, here is something to consider (this goes for everyone on this list too).

When your chasing, taking risks, etc., remember that it isn't just you that is affected by your actions. If something were to happen, how would your family feel (parents, spouses, children, etc.). How about your friends. These are the reason why many (but not all) long time chasers tend to play it safe. They also want to live to chase another day.

Think of chasing like fine art, the more you learn over time the more you enjoy it, and take away more than just the storm itself. Rushing in all hyped up on adrenaline, you miss the overall picture.

 

[Tyler Allison]

Got any Ideas? No negatives because I could care less.

Make sure you have a laptop, gps and satellite internet service so you can run the SpotterNetwork and we can point and laugh^H^H^H^H^Hwatch.

Oh yeah...it's COULDN'T care less

 

[Dennis Sherrod]

Well I dont have anything against anyone... I promise... I think everyone on here is Bad A$$ for such an interest for the weather. Its just I am a very sarcastic, dry humor, pure logic kind of guy. I think I have all the answers but I know I dont if that makes sense haha. I kinda have split personality too because at night I am a different person than I am during the day. Like now in the morning I look back and wonder why had lashed out at you and others and at night I get into my KickA$$ I dont care mode... Sorry people. I dont get it...

You know, since you stated and admitted it, there are doctors and medication for this type thing.
Also, you might want to look into using proper punctuation and spelling. It will make reading and understanding much easier.
As far as whether you choose to listen to suggestions or comments from others concerning your planned adventures, that is up to you. Yet, when you post a thread like you did "seeking" advice, suggestions, etc., you are opening yourself to these comments. Some people really would like to try and prevent someone else's crazy moves or ideas from possibly killing or injuring themself.
Your planned misadventures have a far more reaching impact than just for yourself.

 

[Josh Richardson]

I don't know anything about you, but based on the impression you are giving me ( your whole rant on junior members being looked down upon by veterans, the only reason you joined was to post reports, going off on Josh Richardson for saying there are hundreds of photographers doing what you want to do, and now saying you don't care about the negatives of this and you don't care about the rules on the forum)

LOL, did this happen in another thread or something?? I dont even remember saying anything to this guy before.....Maybe I did say something and forgot I guess.

 

[Danny Neal]

LOL, did this happen in another thread or something?? I dont even remember saying anything to this guy before.....Maybe I did say something and forgot I guess.

HAHA! WOW, sorry it wasn't you! I was reading one of your posts as I was typing this and I must have accidentally put your name in there. It was Jayson Prentice.....I knew it was one of you Iowa guys!! My fault Josh.

 

[Josh Richardson]

HAHA! WOW, sorry it wasn't you! I was reading one of your posts as I was typing this and I must have accidentally put your name in there. It was Jayson Prentice.....I knew it was one of you Iowa guys!! My fault Josh.

No problem, just wanted to make sure it wasnt me!!

 

[Brendon Lindsey]

You guys are right.... Sorry I make it so hard for you to read my posts, terribly sorry. Ill make sure it doesnt happen anymore. Cant imagine how much time it took you to figure out what I was trying to say.

Im not a bad guy... You just have to meet me in person =)

 

[Jose Garcia]

If you rent a car 150 miles inland anywhere in the peninsula of Florida, you will be in the Atlantic ocean or Gulf of Mexico off the other side of the state. Buy a road map with a miles scale on it.

Also keep in mind that most of the rental agencies (since Katrina) have added a clause that states that if the vehicle is damaged or lost in an area under hurricane warnings, the insurance you buy is null and void.

Make sure your hand-held "windometer" has a doubler switch, so you can top Geoff Mackley's record of 145 mph he claims to have recorded in hurricane Georges in Biloxi. (A cat #2 at landfall, barely.)

What is the rope for? Do you plan on roping steers for food because the groceries, burrito shops, and humble pie stores will be closed?

Allligator, snake, and mosquito repellants.

Binoculars: to spot one of the 150 news crews out chasing, so you can run over to them and encourage them to interview you. Bring cash and expensive whiskey to entice them. Make sure you interview them, too, as they are all out there to become "famous" as well.

Bring Toilet paper. Leaves get scratchy after awhile.

If you want to be noticed, don't bother with silly little cat. #3 hurricanes. Start only with a 4 as it can really be fun because:

Category Four Hurricane:
Winds 131-155 mph (114-135 kt or 210-249 km/hr). Storm surge generally 13-18 ft above normal. More extensive curtainwall failures with some complete roof structure failures on small residences. Shrubs, trees, and all signs are blown down. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Extensive damage to doors and windows. Low-lying escape routes may be cut by rising water 3-5 hours before arrival of the center of the hurricane. Major damage to lower floors of structures near the shore. Terrain lower than 10 ft above sea level may be flooded requiring massive evacuation of residential areas as far inland as 6 miles (10 km).

Read a book about hurricanes, their stucture, variability, destructive forces. Don't skip most of the chapters because "it is quicker that way."

Also read the short story by D H Lawrence, "The Rocking Horse Winner." (high school required reading about unrealistic lofty goals and mental-masturbation.)

If you really want to save your Grandma from a cat. 4 or 5 hurricane south of Naples, Florida, you need to drive her to Georgia before the storm comes in.

Make sure that inner tube has a compass on it:

Enjoy.

hahahaha Richard you made my day!

By the way, its soo easy to chase a cat-4... Like Frances being at 145mph approaching and weakened to cat-2 at landfall or Georges approaching Puerto Rico with 155mph and weakening to cat-2 before restrengthening to cat-3 at landfall. Orrr hurricane Rita passing just 40 miles south of Key West deepening almost to cat-3 and the eyewall missing us by 5 miles or so,,, then becoming a 897mb 180mph storm one day later. Sounds like is just "too" easy to chase a major storm. In fact, my most major hurricanes, Hugo a cat-4 (cat-2 in Kieper's Special Fantasy Scale - KSFS), and Georges a cat-3 deepening in Puerto Rico both chased me instead of me chasing them. So just being able to chase one big storm is hard, but if you're lucky enough to catch one, Brendon, then just follow Horodoner's advise! LOL...

 

[MClarkson]

Well Chris's thread just about covers everything so i'll keep my post kindof short.

"Helmets
Ropes"

what are you doing climbing a mountain or chasing a hurricane? Ditch the rope and helmet and get some nice waterproof equipment and food and maybe a lifejacket if you really want to go down the personal safety equipment road. Also, GAS GAS GAS. Cant stess that enough. You can never have too much gas chasing a cane, unless somehow you manage to set your car on fire.

I liked to scout out about 100 miles of coastline and mark positions of solid buildings to use as shields. Hurricanes wobble. If it wobbles to the storms right, you might be left on the weak left side and miss the show. Its nice to know exactly where the best position is for a last minute relocation at night as the winds pick up and power is out. *repositioning in solid hurricane force winds is dangerous*

And if you are holding out hope for a major, you'll probably be dissapointed. Ever since my first opportunity to chase in 2000, there have only been 2 seasons with major hurricane landfalls in the US.

"Crazy Partner"

yes, that helps.

 

[Robert Rohloff]

After talking to friends who deployed both with the National Guard and law enforcement after Katrina, you really have to plan for the worst case scenerio. When people I know say it was ugly and they did not feel safe with a squad with rifles............ Your preperation for a chase should be done now not after the storm is formed. You need to have enough food, water and fuel for at least a week. I have a friend who chases and he has 10 days of rations.

 

[mrobinett]

You need to have enough food, water and fuel for at least a week. I have a friend who chases and he has 10 days of rations.

I can tell you first hand, hurricanes suck! There's nothing glorious about widespread damage and destruction. The 2004 season was a total nightmare for us Floridians. We are still fighting to get insurance renewed, especially if you live near the coasts. I live 60 miles from each coast and have experienced days without power due to power poles wrenched off during Frances. Then Ivan, then Jeanne. You definitely go into survival mode after days without running or filthy water and taking stock daily of how much edible food you have left and checking on your neighbors.
If you want to come down and join us when this happens again, cool. Just be prepared for the long haul. Try and help out, too. Ive filled many sandbags and ran plenty of local health/welfare traffic nets on 2 meters over the last twelve years to know, anything helps.

 

[Shane Adams]

Make sure you have a laptop, gps and satellite internet service so you can run the SpotterNetwork and we can point and laugh^H^H^H^H^Hwatch.

Oh yeah...it's COULDN'T care less

Either works actually.

 

[Shane Adams]

Im not a bad guy... You just have to meet me in person =)

You seemed cool to me, although we only said about 5 words to each other.

 

[Tom Mitchell]

I know nothing about chasing Hurricanes, but I do know about being in them. Common sense goes a long way and make sure you bring a lot of it. People can yack and yack about numbers and windspeeds and THEN step into a little old cat 1 and realize they can't open their car door, let alone walk in any manner resembling a useful mode of transportation, nor can they see out of their windows, let alone take video. You need to find a place to hunker down, sheltered, with interior access to the various locations from which you will shoot. Chris' thread is awesome and should be memorized and treated with reverence!

Good luck and have fun. But remember, when chasing hurricanes with no experience, sometimes the worst thing that can happen is that you get what you wish for...Personally, I would recommend to chase weaker storms first just to get a feel, but completely understand the desire to get out and into a big one.