First day of Hurricane Season...

Tropical Storm Barry - Image of Tropcial Storm Barry as it looms towards Florida
@emeraldisle (13139)
United States
June 1, 2007 5:58pm CST
and we already have a tropical storm out there. Yep that's right, Tropical Storm Barry is bearing down upon us. Now normally over here in Florida we don't get them till around September but not this year. It's coming in early for us this year. Is everyone prepared for it? Lets face it hurricanes effects far more then just Florida so I was curious if everyone is ready for the storms that might hit. We have the basics although we did go out to get some gas just in case. Now the rest is wait and see what happens.
7 people like this
15 responses
• United States
2 Jun 07
I've herad it's going to be a wicked hurricane season. They said on the news there will be 5 to 10 MAJOR hurricanes this season. I think the past week has been weird weather. Here in the northeast we've had a few wicked storms already- certainly not hurricaness, but wild lightning, thunder and torrentail rains.
3 people like this
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
2 Jun 07
Well right now I'm not complaining about the tropical storm. We've needed the rain and it's giving it to us. Hopefully it helps with the brush fires we have here.
2 people like this
@villageanne (8553)
• United States
2 Jun 07
Even though we can prepare with extra food, water, flashlights and 72 hour kits, I wonder if we can ever really be prepared. I dont mean that in a rude way. I just mean, we can make it more comfortable for ourselves and our families but if our homes is ruined and such...are we really ever prepared for that? I dont live in a Tropical storm or hurricane area. My daughter does, however and she is always prepared for the minor things but I am still scared for her and her family. We are not as strong as we think we are when it comes to Elements of Nature.
2 people like this
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
2 Jun 07
Very good point. We can prepare for the minor problems, and really power outages or some flooding is minor, but the loss of homes or loved ones is very major and that I doubt we are ever prepared for. All we can do is prepare as best as we can, reinforce where we can, and hope for the best.
2 people like this
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
2 Jun 07
Oh I agree. There is a point of being prepared and another point of letting it make you paranoid. Worst part is over where I am the news stations for the last 15 years have constantly broadcasted with each one that is going along Florida's coast "That it's going to hit Tampa at...(Put in date/time)" and it's not going to just the feeder bands are not the hurricane itself but it caused so many false panics that now people aren't listening to them as much. It's a mess waiting to happen.
2 people like this
• United States
2 Jun 07
I was just trying to make a point. I am in one of those hateful moods this evening. LOL -In reality, I encourage people to be prepared. I own a "Be Prepared" Group on gather and I have gone around the state to give preparedness seminars. One of the benefits is that when we are prepared, we dont worry as much and that in itself is a great benefit.
2 people like this
@claudia413 (4280)
• United States
2 Jun 07
I'm in South FL just north of Fort Lauderdale, and we need this rain so bad. We're finally getting a good soaking, and I'm delighted. The only thing that worries me is if North FL will get enough to put out the fires there and in South GA. I'm praying for that since we leave on Monday to head to the Atlanta area for our granddaughter's wedding next Saturday. I heard that the FL Keys are under a tornado warning (not a watch) for a few hours. Since my shows haven't been interrupted, I'm presuming all is okay down there, at least for now. I just hope everyone in T.S. Barry's path takes care and uses good sense. There can be deaths from a T.S., too. Watch for downed power lines, especially. Since I've lived in South FL and NW Florida, I've seen and been through many hurricanes over my lifetime. If I'm told to leave, I'll leave like I'm supposed to. The trick is to get out before the roads are too full of fleeing residents. I remember the horrible backups before Andrew hit in 1992. At least Barry isn't predicted to become a hurricane. I'm thankful for that and for the fact that we're finally getting some much needed rain.
2 people like this
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
2 Jun 07
Oh I know. When I first moved here it was when Elaina parked right off the coast from us. Lot of rain more then anything else. Thankfully this area just gets the rain and wind most times. I think the last time this area was actually hit, where I am, was back in the 1800's? They always go north or south of us, knock on wood, which is good. Yeah they don't think Barry will reach hurricane. You are right tropical storms can cause deaths but the thing is with the weather from it we can get with any storm. I don't know how many times the Skyway is closed due to high winds and that's without a storm. Hopefully though everyone will stay safe.
2 people like this
• United States
8 Jul 07
Thanks for giving me Best Response. So far, so good this year. We've been getting rain down here in South Florida almost every day. I heard that Lake Okeechobee is still very low (new record low set this year), and I pray that more rain will hit the Lake soon. We can still only water our yard once a week (from 4am-8am on Sunday), but we haven't had to water for quite a while now...LOL.
@mehale (2200)
• United States
2 Jun 07
I am afraid that the Hurricane season this year will be really bad. We are still having cold fronts this year and the temps at night still drop into the lower 50's. It also worries me that they are starting so early this year. We live in Texas (far away from the coast) and we still felt the anger of a couple of them year before last. I only hope that our house is finished and we can move out of our mobile before one gets too close to us. I hope you fair the season without any damage this year.
2 people like this
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
3 Jun 07
I hope it won't be. That it won't be as bad as it has been some years. I don't mind the feeder bands we get but the acutall hurricanes I wish would dissapate before hitting land. They need to stay out in the ocean and just circle around until they run out of steam.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
1 Jun 07
Oh, my..I had been reading about how dry Florida has been and it started a lot of fires..and now this...and to get them so early--they're definitely is something weird going on with the weather--is it bad yet??
2 people like this
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
1 Jun 07
It's very gentle rains right now. I'm not too worried about the storm. They doubt it will turn into a hurricane, the water is too cold for it yet, but if it does it will only reach Cat 1 which really isn't that bad. We get winds like that with any storm. Now I live in an area where the Seminoles used to come to during hurricane season, they very seldom hit here. We'll get rain and wind but seldom the brunt of the storm. We do need the rain though. It's been so dry here. Normally we get some rain during April and May but we had one rain storm I think and that isn't much. The weather is just strange.
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
2 Jun 07
You have a very good memory. I do have a fear of lightening storms. I'm not afraid of the lightening but the thunder. So far none of that though. Just rain so I can enjoy it :)
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
1 Jun 07
Hope it's not stressing you out though..If I remember you have that fear about storms....but its good you're in the area where the Seminoles hid out during storms...they knew a thing or two didn't they.
1 person likes this
@MJLami (1173)
• United States
1 Jun 07
With Satellite tv I no longer get the local news. Any idea which part of Florida its creating a path toward? My mother, brother and a good friend are there and I worry, every storm, every time. Thanks for the heads up, I appreciate it.
2 people like this
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
1 Jun 07
The picture I added shows the current projected area. However you can go here: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ and get the current news on it along with any changes in the direction it is going. It looks at this point to head towards the crook near the panhandle.
1 person likes this
@MJLami (1173)
• United States
2 Jun 07
Thanks for the link. I spoke with my mother after reading your post and she's just very happy to be getting rain. They're not worried of it becoming a hurricane, she said the rain is mostly gentle and occasionally hard but still very nice to have it. It's been much too dry lately! She wasn't harmed by the wildfires but they did experience the smoke so this is a welcome change for sure.
2 people like this
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
4 Jun 07
Oh believe me it was nice to have the rain. We had the smoke over here occassionaly as well due to the brush fires. THey weren't close to us either. We were getting smoke all the way from Georgia at one point. Just how far it can carry.
@maryannemax (12156)
• Sweden
2 Jun 07
i have never experienced being in thise situations ever. and i hope it will never happen to me!!! i have seen such scary clips in national geographic and gosh... it's very disastrous. i hope less hurricanes will come to places like yours this time... better yet, none. you take care friend!
2 people like this
@vanities (11395)
• Davao, Philippines
2 Jun 07
Im quite lucky since my place or country is not prone to hurricanes..but if i am situtated a place like yours of course i will make see to it that i am ready and prepared for storms(family)
@Shaun72 (15959)
• Palatka, Florida
1 Jun 07
I can't belive this is happing here already. It figures though. I mean it happens at least once or twice a year or seems to at least.
1 person likes this
@maryannemax (12156)
• Sweden
2 Jun 07
even if it hap[pens that rarely in a year, it still leaces huge damages, right? and that's sad.
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
2 Jun 07
Oh at least but usually later in the year. I don't remember ever having one this early. Usually for this area we get it when school is going back not when they first get out.
@Shaun72 (15959)
• Palatka, Florida
2 Jun 07
I am surprized at how early it is happing this year also.
@eaforeman6 (8979)
• United States
2 Jun 07
My husband and I moved away from the coast. We worry and of course are concerned for all others, our family ect. It was too much for me and my three dogs. We just didnt want to deal with it anymore...We have let our relatives know that they are welcome to evacuate here if need be....we love to go and visit but thats all I want of it anymore...
1 person likes this
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
3 Jun 07
Believe me if I had a choice I'd move inland as well. I don't like being this close to the coast even if my area doesn't get the bulk of hurricanes. It's just a lot of stress each year I could do without.
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
4 Jun 07
Oh dear, I do hope you are ok. We are hearing such awful things about the weather these days. Mother nature is surely showing her power. I'd be afraid to live anywhere that was subject to hurricanes, tornadoes and the like. Ditto for places where there are earthquakes or volcanoes...beats me why people choose to live in these places. The worst weather I've seen are minor floods but apparently there was a big one here a few years ago. Luckily my house is on higher ground and raised up about 18 inches. And of course, we are in a drought and there is not much water in our river so the chance of another flood is unlikely for a while I reckon. Best wishes and good luck for the rest of the season.
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
4 Jun 07
Oh yeah it all blew over. It went really quick after I posted this and by the next night it was out of the state. The rain was nice and we could still use some more. Sadly though here in the states just about every area has something. Hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, blizzards, earthquakes, volcanoes, mudslides...I can't think of an area that doesn't have one of the above if not more. It all depends on what you want to live with I suppose.
• United States
2 Jun 07
Oh no it's that time of year. :( I live in South florida so I am pretty familiar with hurricanes unfortunately. I'm the kind of person who likes to prepare ahead and take all the necessary precautions. However, I don't let it drive me crazy. I only worry about them when they are scheduled to come.
2 people like this
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
2 Jun 07
Same here. I make sure we have flash lights, candles and the basics but that's about it. I don't let it drive me crazy. If I did I'd really be in trouble.
• United States
2 Jun 07
we're probably way overdue up here..last one really was 1991 (last bigger one). i usually don't get nervous unless it makes it past virginia.if they go that far,they more than likely are coming up. i do need to stock up on house candles and such for the year though.i'm thinking of getting some of those chemical lamps (like a big glowstick),they're safer.
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
2 Jun 07
Yeah we got a couple of the big flash lights that take like the J battery. It's actually cheaper to buy the flashlight and battery then to just buy the battery go figure. They are like 4 bucks total and they really brighten up an area. We also have wall sconces for candle light so we don't have to have candles all over where cats can knock them down. Works nice in the bathroom.
2 people like this
@HighReed1 (1126)
• United States
2 Jun 07
We are on the Gulf coast. We have all important papers together, cat carriers handy, trucks gassed... The only thing we would have to do is pull some cash out of the bank if it looks like we'll need to leave. Do you have some plywood for your windows? If not, you might get some now before everyone turns into sharks at Home Depot. I hope you guys don't get hit.
1 person likes this
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
2 Jun 07
No I don't board up my windows. For two reasons I don't. One I can't afford the wood for it and I couldn't put it up myself but the other which is more the reason if I did and then the power goes out there is no a/c and no wind. There are many who die due to the heat when the windows are boarded up that way. In 23 years I've had one window come out, didn't break just the seal came out so I don't worry too much. They do turn into sharks though don't they? Not just with wood but with food, water and the like. I try to get prepared before hand and not wait till the last minute.
• United States
9 Nov 07
Ok, now what do you think? I moved to Miami Beach in April, and all I would hear is Hurricane season, are you crazy to move now. The weather people say this is going to be a bad year for Florida (like they did last year). Well it was a bad year if you lived south of Florida, but those people that know everything, don't know everything.