Hurricane Matthew

[Bonsai Nut]

New recon aircraft is in the storm and just found 936 mb with 125 mph surface winds in NE eye wall.

I will just say... people who fly those planes are CRAZY.

 

[coh]

I will just say... people who fly those planes are CRAZY.

Yeah, probably a little I know some people who occasionally fly on some of those missions, the conditions can be highly variable. Some storms are pretty calm (relatively speaking), others can be terrifying. But the safety record is pretty impressive, I think they've only lost one plane in all the decades they've been doing it - and it was quite a while ago, something like 1945. With all the sophisticated instrumentation these days, they can get inside the eye while avoiding the most turbulent regions most of the time.

I can also say - though I've never flown into a hurricane, I've spent many hours on various research flights in different weather conditions over the years (part of my job). Those planes are probably the most highly maintained in the world...they have their own dedicated crews that do all the maintenance, they know those planes inside and out. Probably the safest planes that you could fly on (other than being in a hurricane, that is).

 

[Kelly]

We lived in Florida from 01-07 and evacuated twice ... stay safe ... our thoughts are with you ... whether you stay put or hunker down ... get your most important papers together - e.g. marriage/birth certificates, wills, wedding album, passports, etc. in a waterproof tote/box/container and keep them safe ... plus the advice above re food/water/shelter.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Yeah, probably a little I know some people who occasionally fly on some of those missions, the conditions can be highly variable. Some storms are pretty calm (relatively speaking), others can be terrifying. But the safety record is pretty impressive, I think they've only lost one plane in all the decades they've been doing it - and it was quite a while ago, something like 1945. With all the sophisticated instrumentation these days, they can get inside the eye while avoiding the most turbulent regions most of the time.

I can also say - though I've never flown into a hurricane, I've spent many hours on various research flights in different weather conditions over the years (part of my job). Those planes are probably the most highly maintained in the world...they have their own dedicated crews that do all the maintenance, they know those planes inside and out. Probably the safest planes that you could fly on (other than being in a hurricane, that is).

I just checked them out - they fly C-130s. I jumped out of C-130's (and C-141's) in the Army. I loved the C-130's. Really stable platform, with great air-conditioning

 

[tree4me]

To all in the path of Mathew, I lived in Hollywood, Fl. and Cooper city for 26 years and know the anxiety , be safe, be smart and God bless.

 

[vicn]

Prayers for all affected

 

[coh]

I just checked them out - they fly C-130s. I jumped out of C-130's (and C-141's) in the Army. I loved the C-130's. Really stable platform, with great air-conditioning

I think the Air Force uses C-130's and NOAA uses P-3's for the most part (current flight is a P-3 mission). They have a great track record, I flew one research flight years ago on an Electra which is similar to a P-3, but most of my recent work was in a tiny little Twin Otter. I get claustrophobic in those...

 

[Shima]

I loved the C-130's.

Me too. I hopped flights in cargo planes all over Europe from France.

 

[herzausstahl]

Good luck! Like Mike i live in the colder northern regions where our worst natural disaster is a tornado or snow storm. But my family recently went to Disney World at the end of August & watched every invest/cell that developed while there. Luckily all we got was bad rain, but I understand they evacuated the campgrounds at Disney's fort wilderness where we stayed, we were in the cabins not sure what they did with those. Plus we drove down there so I understand how long it takes to get anywhere when the roads are clear. Stay safe & good luck!

 

[coh]

So far the eye is staying offshore and the worst of the winds are to the east of the center. Hopefully it stays that way.

Found a video clip from one of the NOAA flights into the eye yesterday. A little bumpy...

 

[rockm]

I breathed a guilty sigh of relief when the forecast showed the storm taking a big left hand turn a few days ago away from Va. I've ridden out several Cat ones here. No real problems with those, but this one is a beast. Good luck to all in its path.

 

[rockm]

Obviously, should be a big right hand turn, but it's making a circle ,apparently. I hope it doesn't re-develop and hit us again...

 

[A Random User]

Yesterday morning the cone was predicted to possibly come ashore and head directly for Orlando, the center of the state... luckily this did not happen.

On our side of the state, we have had bands come across delivering non stop rain all last night... but nothing more really than what we normally get in the summer. Winds today have really picked up for us, with gust of up to 50-60 miles. These are not sustained obviously. But seeing that we are almost 200 miles away from the storm, it really shows how far reaching it is.

 

[Dav4]

The death toll in Haiti is at or over 800 now...

 

[drew33998]

Where are you located at in Florida? Have you lived here long? Not trying to insult obviously, we have people who move here daily and often do not know what to do...

Do not get out on the road during the storm! You do not want to be in a vehicle sitting in traffic with possible 100 mile an hour plus winds and objects flying around in these winds. If you are far enough inland away from flooding, you are better off really staying put. Staying away from windows, doors, etc. Find an interior hall or closet and move you mattress in there and camp out in it. I am assuming you have already stocked up on supplies, if not obviously try to do so soon... grocery stores always sell out really fast, but remember things like convenient stores and pharmacy stores like Walgreens and CVS, stores like Target, Walmart, etc. also carry stuff. Fill up you tub and sinks with clean water. And expect electricity to go out. Cell phones don't work, and landlines don't either, and no Internet.

Have ridden out many hurricanes... our housing codes here are pretty strict, newer houses even more so. If you haven't left before it comes you are just putting yourself and your family in more jeopardy. This one looks like it will be hitting mostly after dark, which means the damage will not be apparent till sun rise. No lights on the road will be working, whole areas of town might be pitch black, and rescue services will not come to help you.
Good luck!

Live in jax fl. Been here my whole life and weathered quite a few storms. Looks like the worst is almost past us thank god.

 

[drew33998]

I will say this one gave me the most anxiety and fear of all storms that we've had. It was a cat 4 that looked like it was going to ride straight up the coast. Thank God it downgraded to a 3 and the eye stayed well east. We are high and dry with the power on. Lost it for about4 hours but our local electrical co.lany are the shit. They braved the winds and rains to keep our power on.

 

[drew33998]

I will say this one gave me the most anxiety and fear of all storms that we've had. It was a cat 4 that looked like it was going to ride straight up the coast. Thank God it downgraded to a 3 and the eye stayed well east. We are high and dry with the power on. Lost it for about4 hours but our local power company are the shit. They braved the winds and rains to keep our power on.

 

[Paradox]

I breathed a guilty sigh of relief when the forecast showed the storm taking a big left hand turn a few days ago away from Va. I've ridden out several Cat ones here. No real problems with those, but this one is a beast. Good luck to all in its path.

I admit to the same. I feel for those dealing with it but I was very relieved when they changed the path to a loop around rather than what looked like a direct hit where I live on Sunday.

 

[JoeR]

Even though I live more than 100 miles from the ocean, that certainly doesnt mean were safe here.

Several trees fell in my property and my neighbors. A few fell and crushed both my plum trees ! Even worse, when you leave my house, you can either turn left or right- and both side were blocked by large oak trees. They both also fell on the power lines, and we havent had power or phone signal since 10 this morning (still dont). Firefighters moved one of the trees on the road, just to have another fall and block it shortly after !

We're fine, but it was much worse than expected.

 

[JoeR]

Also, notice in the last photo, the grey truck (my neighbors) on the left got stuck in deep mud trying to go around.