Hurricane’s a Comin’ III

Well, the title of the Hurricane Update segment of the heap. just isn’t true anymore, at least to the immediate Tampa Bay area. The storm system is expected to hit the Ft. Myers area. This is good for Tampa, because it will essentially place us in the upper left quadrant of the storm, resulting in a “reverse strom surge” situation… the winds will blow the water away from the coast. Also, we will avoid the stronger part of the storm as well. As of now, we are under a Hurricane Watch and a Tropical Storm Warning. This means that is is possible that hurricane force winds (74+ MPH) will affect our area within 36 hours, and it is certain that tropical storm force winds (39-73 MPH) will affect the area. That’s nothing. I’ll make sure to take a few pics and videos… we might end up with another beautiful day a the storm system might just suck up all the surrounding moisture… though I’m pretty sure we’ll feel the effects of some of the bands. Here’s the 5pm advisory!

Hurricane’s a Comin’ II

Annnnd here’s your 11 pm update, for all of you who are keeping tabs. All of the info is on the chart!

Soooo, as you can see, the pink area has been extended up to the Tampa Bay area. Great. So we’re under a hurricane watch here. Check out that black line. Yeah, that’s the projected path of the center of the storm. Hmm… it appears to go right over where I live. Double Greeaaaattt. But, we’re about positives here at the heap.. Thus, a rare and truly unique opportunity… to blog about the hurricane experience, has materialized! I’m stoked.

In fact, I have special “bonus” footage of 2004, when the last legitimate threat to Tampa occurred. Funny story… That was my first year at Notre Dame, and I came home to surprise my family in September! And well, Thanks to the hurricane, I was stuck in Tampa two extra days and I missed 3 exams! Luckily my profs were pretty nice about it. Anyway! The bonus footage! Check out these videos and pics!

It was kinda close, so we decided to board up…

The winds were strong enough to snap a tree in my Abuelo’s yard!

Being outside? Not a great idea, but you can see the horizontal rain and the strong gusts!

Driving around isn’t great either… but you get to see a huge uprooted tree and a fence blown over!

*Quick updates: Rays win 7-4, Bucs beat Patriots in the preseason 27-10, and Citrus Park got schooled by the Hawaii team 10-2.*

I’ll keep you heapsters. posted while I still have electricity!

Hurricane’s a Comin’ I

Well, this update will primarily affect all you Florida heapsters. out there. I know that here in Tampa we has a history of being teased by hurricanes. We all remember the numerous “hurricane days” we’ve had like in high school, only to have perhaps some of the most perfect weather of the summer. I really don’t think that will be the case this time around. So if you are on the bottom half of the peninsula (primarily the keys or west coast), you might want to check out you local news source’s website, or flip on your tv for updates.
Here is Tampa’s source: TBO.com.
Here is the National Hurricane Center.

Here’s a nice map detailing the oncoming threat. I’m technically not under an advisory yet, but I’m sure that will change in the next 12 hours or so. This is the 11 am advisory, and new ones come out every three hours. Don’t worry, I’m not going to be a manic updater on this, I mean, it is gorgeous today! An I mean, I won’t have to do the trash for a day (probably tuesday)! But, as things change, I’ll keep you all posted.