As I Said

Hey folks,

Some days I HATE being right. As I told all of you on the west coast, get ready. I know, I know, all the forecasters were saying this was not going to amount to much. I understand that noone wants to think about another hurricane coming a shore any time soon. So everyone hears, "This will not be a big deal. Think of it this way, we need the rain." they immediately relax and take a nonchalant attitude.

This is the whole reason I posted "Get Ready". You can not EVER be 100% sure when it comes to weather. Like I said just this morning, "Now I know that there are some that suggest that the news media, leading up to this hurricane season, was just trying to scare people. This is stupid as far as I’m concerned." I encouraged people to at least see this as practice. Go get your three day supplies, BATTERIES, and enough of them, radio, flashlights, cooking gas, etc. GET READY.

Turns out, this "Non-issue" is NOW nearly a Cat. One Hurricane. According to the AP,

If Alberto came ashore as a hurricane, it would be the earliest hurricane in 40 years to hit the United States, according to the National Hurricane Center. The earliest on record is Alma, which in 1966 struck the Florida Panhandle on June 9 — the ninth day of the hurricane season.

Alberto started as a tropical depression on Saturday, and forecasters over the weekend were confident it would not become a hurricane. But the storm's winds accelerated with startling speed from 50 mph to 70 mph in just three hours Monday morning. The minimum for a hurricane is 74 mph.

"We were surprised, but we've been surprised before," said Richard Pasch of the hurricane center. "The center in disorganized storms can re-form and jump."

We were surprised? Are these not the "Experts"?

This "non-event" is now being taking VERY seriously. Jeb Bush has signed a declaration of emergency allowing him to call up the National Guard and put laws against price gouging into effect. More than 20,000 people along Florida's Gulf Coast were ordered to clear out of town. Even President Bush is getting involved. He said,

"We're talking about powerful forces of nature," He encouraged, as I did, "People need to take this very seriously."

Now I understand that this is no Katrina. But it is more than just some much needed rain. Max Mayfield, Director of the National Hurricane Center, warns,

"We don't want to overdo it. It's not a Katrina or a Wilma, but storm surge and flooding could still cause loss of life,"

As I said this morning, to all my friends on the west coast, PLEASE get ready. Get out of town if you are asked to. Take shelter. Make sure you have supplies. Even say a prayer or two. Whatever you do, do NOT take this with a nonchalant attitude. It still has time and is still strengthening.

Best case scenario, we get that much needed rain, and you have supplies for the next one. Worse case, you do not prepare, and get caught off guard. This could get you dead. Dead is not good. Getting Ready IS.
Peter