Tropical Storm Isaac.

[Bobcat]

Is threatening South Florida, on the 20 Year anniversary of Hurricane Andrew. Interesting that the 5 day track has not changed since 7 AM this morning...But the computer ensemble has changed in the last 30 minutes. Putting KW back in the danger zone. This will affect the whole East Coast, but maybe it will bring some much needed rain to the Mid West.





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[Bobcat]

Here is an article from the KW Citizen about the 20 year anniversary of Andrew.

Remembering devastating Hurricane Andrew 20 years later
BY ADAM LINHARDT Citizen Staff
alinhardt@keysnews.com

Ohio native Kelly Koch moved to Tavernier 20 years ago to escape the northern winter chill that tormented her bad back and knees. She lost her job up north and, like many mainlanders, pointed her car south and didn't stop until she passed the Last Chance Saloon in Florida City.

It's a decision that placed her in the middle of the devastation left behind as Hurricane Andrew swept through South Florida.

Koch, who works as an accounting clerk at Niles Sales and Service in Key West, settled in a mobile home on Hood Avenue that winter. It wouldn't be until August that she had her "welcome to Florida moment," she said, laughing, on Tuesday.

It was then that she huddled in the concrete mobile home park office as winds whipped palm trees outside before finally killing the power. Hurricane Andrew, with its Category 5 winds, was making landfall in Homestead, leaving a path of destruction across much of the southern tip of the Florida peninsula.

Koch's trailer survived, but she lost her phone line. She, like so many others, got in her car and ventured out looking for civilization, but had a hard time finding it.

"We were driving north and it was just ungodly devastation," Koch said. "I remember seeing a U-Haul truck on top of a sign, and really, just all these people walking around looking completely lost. They all looked totally unsure of what was going on and what to do."

She found a pay phone at the corner of U.S. 1 and Campbell Drive by Ganim's Restaurant.

"The restaurant was gone, but the phone out front was still working," Koch said. "The line went down the block."

Koch didn't know it then, but the storm was going to change her life beyond the immediate inconvenience of no phone or power.

"I was looking around and thinking, my house is OK, I'm OK, but they're not," Koch said.

Over the next 20 years, Koch would become one of the standout volunteers for the American Red Cross in Monroe County, said Officer J.B. Hunt.

"The storm definitely pushed me in that direction," Koch said. "I volunteered for a few months and then I decided I needed to hang around longer. What people may not understand is that people needed help for months and months afterward."

She paused.

"Twenty years later, it's still very vivid in my mind," Koch said. "It's a day I'll never forget."

Andrew would prove to be the costliest hurricane in U.S. history. It made landfall on Aug. 24 and cost some $25 billion, according to AP reports. The storm did the most damage in Homestead, but Upper Keys residents felt the wrath, as wind damage was extensive.

The 20-year anniversary this week was not forgotten by Katha Sheehan, formerly of Key West, who now lives in Homestead. Sheehan lived in Key West for 27 years before moving north, where she works on a farm. Sheehan was best known as the owner of The Chicken Store on Duval Street who long championed the island's nomadic birds.

The Lower Keys lost power, but didn't suffer much damage like what was being reported in the Upper Keys and in Homestead. Sheehan ventured north and was shocked by what she saw.

"There didn't seem to be much damage until I got to the 18-Mile Stretch," Sheehan said. "It looked like a giant hand swiped everything away."

The storm forever changed emergency management in Florida, said Monroe County Director of Emergency Management Irene Toner. She didn't take over that job until 1998, but it was clear the stamp Hurricane Andrew left in its wake among state emergency planners.

"It was a wake-up call," Toner said. "Building codes were changed, training and logistics were improved. All those things were impacted."

One of the biggest changes was the staging of equipment and medical needs before a storm makes landfall. Planners now have statewide emergency teams made up of and operated by the counties that move in to help neighboring emergency responders, Toner said.

"For example, if there's a Category 3, the state will begin positioning equipment near Monroe County like at the Homestead Air Force Base or wherever they need to be," Toner said. "If we need chain saws and body bags, we will get them."

As Toner spoke Tuesday, meteorologists upgraded Tropical Depression 9 to Tropical Storm Isaac as it inched westward in Caribbean Sea, according to the National Hurricane Center.

"It's always on your mind," Sheehan said of the burgeoning storm. "It's hard for anyone who has lived here for a period of time and lived through big storms to not pay attention."

alinhardt@keysnews.com

[Bobcat]

Noe they've moved it back across the Keys.




7416474165

[Bobcat]

I'm going to turn my fan on and point it Eastward....should help:eek:

[Pat D]

Bobcat
regardless of weather......get your boots out......we need to head to Duval this weekend for the auditions for Coyote Ugly opening in Sept.
PD :party:ya-hoo

[Bobcat]

Well....I am getting my back waxed tomorrow:sifone:

[Bobcat]

Updates....looks a little scarier on Radar:eek:


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[Bobcat]

This AM coming right at Pat D's house:confused:

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[Bobcat]

This just in:D


74171

[Ratickle]

This just in:D


74171

That one looks like it's going straight at Brook's house!

[rchevelle71]

Hopefully it misses ya, but if it forces ya out of the keys, give me a call on your way North.

[mdkeywest]

Hopefully it misses ya, but if it forces ya out of the keys, give me a call on your way North.

Oh Well , i needed a new washer an dryer anyway . and frig , and roof and etc.

Could be worse , :)

[Pat D]

This AM coming right at Pat D's house:confused:

7416974170

I'm ready.......bring it on.......but if we lose air conditioning......I will head to NYC early

[Pat D]

and an f.y.i when it comes to yellow or green hurricane colors on that map ..........no difference.

[Bobcat]

That one looks like it's going straight at Brook's house!


It's a trailer.....sorry...Mobile Home:leaving:


Hopefully it misses ya, but if it forces ya out of the keys, give me a call on your way North.
Will do...I think Cuba's going to knock it down to Tropical storm.



and an f.y.i when it comes to yellow or green hurricane colors on that map ..........no difference.
Red or Pink gets my attention...I sit outside for Cat I and II's !

74173

[rchevelle71]

Oh Well , i needed a new washer an dryer anyway . and frig , and roof and etc.

Could be worse , :)


Your welcome also, and Pat of course:cheers2:

[Ratickle]

Looks as if they moved it further west again. Now directly over Key West....

[Bobcat]

Looks like it is heading farther West with each passing update. If it even makes it across the Cuban Mountains as a Hurricane...It'll be a 1..New Orleans on the other hand:ack2:



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[Pat D]

Bob
Keep watching weather channel Stephanie live at the southernmost point.........she's ( and all of you) are about to get what we just got
:eek:................3...2....1.....

[Pat D]

0........that was great........I need to get a life........:hurray:

[Bobcat]

They love to stand where the water breaks over the seawall ...makes it seem dangerous. She is HOT though....latest update shows it getting further West :party:





74179

[Buoy]

My guess...
This thing fizzles.
Only getting attention because of the RNC in Tampa. Create drama for the news.

[Pat D]

My guess...
This thing fizzles.
Only getting attention because of the RNC in Tampa. Create drama for the news.

Now there is a brilliant forecast...

[Buoy]

Now there is a brilliant forecast...
Likely no less accurate, and just as scientific.

[fund razor]

Our local Red Cross is sending people to help the victims in the Tampa area. They are driving a truck filled with water, food, and dry socks for sandals.

[Ratickle]

Tell them to just send Crocs!

[Ratickle]

They moved it back to the east a bit now, going between Marathon and Key West. I heard the Keys can expect 15" of rain minimum from this system, starting already....

[Bobcat]

It started last night. everyone just went into panic mode.:willy_nilly:




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[fund razor]

This just in:D


74171

Dam that's funny. It went through my mind when I heard "Isaac." :D

[Pat D]

As of right now, bullseye for Marathon as cat 1
KW mayor just had a news conference on Duval........one item.........please, no wake in the streets :D

[Bobcat]

Still headed to Marathon...long way to go. Just finished shuttering up a few houses. Just drizzle so far. Smathers beach is calm....most of the bums are still here....that's usually a sign it will miss KW:D

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[Ratickle]

Maybe you could wash a few of them away? Would they come ashore in Marathon????

[Bobcat]

7419074191

[Ratickle]

7419074191


Fixed it for you.....

74192

[Bobcat]

Nice !!! Some clients just told me not to worry about running out of Beer....they own two Bars !:party:

[Ratickle]

Hope you're higher than 3 feet...

Seven hours ago by NOAA

STORM SURGE...THE COMBINATION OF A STORM SURGE AND THE TIDE WILL
CAUSE NORMALLY DRY AREAS NEAR THE COAST TO BE FLOODED BY RISING
WATERS. THE WATER COULD REACH THE FOLLOWING DEPTHS ABOVE GROUND IF
THE PEAK SURGE OCCURS AT THE TIME OF HIGH TIDE...

* SOUTHWEST FLORIDA COAST WITHIN HURRICANE WARNING AREA...5 TO 7 FT
* FLA WEST COAST WITHIN WATCH AREA INCLUDING TAMPA BAY...3 TO 5 FT
* SOUTHEAST FLORIDA COAST AND THE FLORIDA KEYS...1 TO 3 FT

[Ratickle]

Nice !!! Some clients just told me not to worry about running out of Beer....they own two Barges !:party:

This may be better....

[Pat D]

Hope you're higher than 3 feet...

Seven hours ago by NOAA

STORM SURGE...THE COMBINATION OF A STORM SURGE AND THE TIDE WILL
CAUSE NORMALLY DRY AREAS NEAR THE COAST TO BE FLOODED BY RISING
WATERS. THE WATER COULD REACH THE FOLLOWING DEPTHS ABOVE GROUND IF
THE PEAK SURGE OCCURS AT THE TIME OF HIGH TIDE...

* SOUTHWEST FLORIDA COAST WITHIN HURRICANE WARNING AREA...5 TO 7 FT
* FLA WEST COAST WITHIN WATCH AREA INCLUDING TAMPA BAY...3 TO 5 FT
* SOUTHEAST FLORIDA COAST AND THE FLORIDA KEYS...1 TO 3 FT

I'm on the bottom........we lost a lot during wilma in 2005 because marathon was 3 ft. under water from the gulf to the atlantic But I'm not going to worry........just thinking of those people in Haiti
And re: the bums in kw........they are on a bus on their way to michigan

[Pat D]

:)too funny....I just noticed the guy on weather channel in Cuba and saw that it's STILL LIGHT OUTSIDE....sucks to be shuttered up:):):):):):):o

[Bobcat]

Bums to Michigan is a great Idea....they could be trained as Dentists....what is that....like 6 months of school?:biggrinjester::biggrinjester:

[Bobcat]

Looks like it will be a Tropical Storm when it passes slightly to the North of KW. The good news is that it is traveling fast...moving at over 18 MPH. This will help in keeping it from being a Hurricane. It will not be able to hover over the Florida Straits and build momentum in the warm waters.

Wind in KW is 20 MPH with gusts to 31 currently.

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[Bobcat]

Some weirdness.

http://pdf.keysnews.com/frontpage.pdf

[Bobcat]

A different perspective from Monterrey


74197

[fund razor]

The put a condom on the southermost point marker. :)

I want to read more about Tony Yaniz and the Jewfish League. :D :D

[Bobcat]

Tony "Fat" Yaniz. Also a city commisioner, great guy. :USA:

[Wrinkleface]

Bums to Michigan is a great Idea....they could be trained as Dentists....what is that....like 6 months of school?:biggrinjester::biggrinjester:

punk!, 7 months w/ good behavior!!!!

[Bobcat]

Just now starting to rain...been sunny most of the day, but nice and cool. Just finished putting up the last of the shutters....Pre-Hurricane/Tropical Storm Bud Light Thirty in KW. I took some pics this AM but really nothing to see...going down to the SeaWall later and take some pics.

[Bobcat]

7419874199

[Pat D]

From what I can see my landscaping and plants are being re-arranged......... looks pretty good so far, my plan is to replant where it lands
:lurk5:

[Buoy]

The put a condom on the southermost point marker. :)



I saw that!

[Bobcat]

Went down and took some pics..and it started raining like a Mofo!!! windy but very little wave action. 7 Mile Bridge an hour ago.


74201

[Bobcat]

Finally got one pic to load from my phone...Casa Marina ....windy but calm waters.


74204

[Bobcat]

And we got nothin...but the Cubs won!!!!!:26:

[Ratickle]

Not even a small surge???

[Bobcat]

I moved two Bobcats and one Lull to higher ground...the others are rented out..hopefully on higher ground. One of my neighbors ...who is the sweetest person you will ever meet...and her sister..were invited by me to go down to the seawall...and watch the non activity....both declined..I felt bad about calling them P*ssy's ...as they were clutching the good book...and by that I mean a bong.

[Bobcat]

74210One of our own gets a little street justice...most shared photo in FB history (maybe)

[SCARAB3DMC]

I,m in Lake Worth, Boyton Beach area, wild night! 5" rain, windy mofo.. small tornado in Lake Worth, lost power for 6 hrs, most canals and streets flooded, Palm beach airport shut down! Be safe out there!

[rchevelle71]

I,m in Lake Worth, Boyton Beach area, wild night! 5" rain, windy mofo.. small tornado in Lake Worth, lost power for 6 hrs, most canals and streets flooded, Palm beach airport shut down! Be safe out there!

That was nothing, wait 'til ya see the real thing.

[Bobcat]

It's windier today than it was during the storm.

[Ratickle]

Who says our news brokers lie???

Key West hit hard by Isaac | Photos: Isaac's fury
Tropical Storm Isaac lashes Florida Keys with wind, rain; New Orleans preps - U.S. News (http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/08/26/13487030-tropical-storm-isaac-lashes-florida-keys-with-wind-rain-new-orleans-preps?lite)

[Pat D]

It's windier today than it was during the storm.

Yes it is............BUT THE SUN IS OUT :party:

[Bobcat]

Some serious wave action on the beach ! At least 7 Kite Surfers out there.

74214

[Bobcat]

It has gotten worse...went down ..had a few Beers and watched the surfers for a while...sorry about the Sepia toned pic of the hot babe...the gunpowder in my flash bar misfired....and she was hot !!!!

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[Ratickle]

Looks like finally ahurricane, just in time to hit New Orleans.....

[Ratickle]

I don't get it. Exact same story quotes...

Under the picture headline.

Isaac will put New Orleans' new $15 billon levee system to test for the first time since its post-Katrina upgrade. However, there's one major problem – the levee is only eight feet, well below the expected 12 foot storm surge

Later in the story.

New Orleans' levees built or repaired after Katrina are designed to withstand far more than that 12-foot surge, in some cases storm surge as high as 26 feet.

New Orleans expects to 'get the brunt of it' as Hurricane Isaac grows - U.S. News (http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/08/28/13521127-new-orleans-expects-to-get-the-brunt-of-it-as-hurricane-isaac-grows?lite)

[Bobcat]

F*ck....now we'll have to let them win another SuperBowl. Houston Police are not looking forward to the evacuees coming anywhere near them.

[Ratickle]

And now the levee is 8 feet tall again?


Updated at 3 p.m. ET:

Slow-moving Isaac was downgraded to a tropical storm on Wednesday but was still packing a punch, with new evacuations ordered and rescues made when a levee outside New Orleans overtopped. Inside New Orleans, levees and pumps were protecting the city from widespread flooding, but Isaac had cut power to a third of Louisiana's households and was expected to lash the state with heavy rain and winds into Friday.

In Plaquemines Parish, the storm surge overtopped an 18-mile stretch of levee, sending up to 12 feet of water over the 8-foot-tall barrier. National Guardsmen and residents rescued dozens of people trapped in homes.

"We have flooding, inundated four-to-nine feet in areas," parish emergency management official Guy Laigast told The Weather Channel. "We've got homes that have been inundated."

"It's piling that water up on the east side of the Mississippi River," he added. "All that water is ponding up in that area, and that's what's causing the overtopping."

The area had been under a mandatory evacuation order, but only half of the 2,000 residents reportedly had left ahead of Isaac's landfall Tuesday.