And so it begins.
We live along the coast and part of that means living through Hurricane season every year. It lasts from June 1st to November 30th. Usually the busiest time is August and September. But here we are in mid June and we may have Tropical Storm Bob (Ana formed and dissipated earlier before the season even started). All eyes are now on the Gulf of Mexico...
We live along the coast and part of that means living through Hurricane season every year. It lasts from June 1st to November 30th. Usually the busiest time is August and September. But here we are in mid June and we may have Tropical Storm Bob (Ana formed and dissipated earlier before the season even started). All eyes are now on the Gulf of Mexico...
We always have to watch what are called, amusingly, "spaghetti models". They are named this because they look like, well, spaghetti. These are the computer models that tell forecasters where a storm is most like headed. For those who find weather fascinating (as I do), here is an interesting link to all things Tropical and is updated in real time...
spaghettimodels.com
The models change and meander around of course because, let's face it, it's still hard to predict Mother Nature's plans. The image above is the one from last night, but I'm sure as this posts, there will be an updated one. Still, it's probably headed toward the middle of the Texas coast which puts us on what they call "the dirty side"...i.e. the East side of a storm always has the heaviest rain/wind. Tropical storms are bigger rain events than Hurricanes. With those, we worry about wind and tornadoes in addition to the rain, but in Tropical Storms, we worry mostly about rain...heavy, heavy rain.
The City of Houston Office of Emergency Management is predicting 6 to 15 inches of rain and is telling us to be prepared for flooding like we just had or possibly worse than Memorial Day and more widespread.
If this were a large Hurricane, we'd head to the farm, our "bug out" location. For this event, we'll stay in town, though the next few days may still be crazy.
We're making sure we have plenty of food, batteries, candles, we have some oil lamps, radio, flashlights, fresh water, and of course the cats have everything they need. This is not a long term event, but it could be a couple of days where we don't want to leave the house and get out in it and there could be power outages if there is wind. Not even sure we'll stay at work all day, the city usually calls for employers to send employees home to get them off the roads in rush hour to avoid dangerous driving conditions.
Keep your fingers crossed for Texas and later, Oklahoma and the other states as the storm and rain moves North and East.
'Tis the season!
spaghettimodels.com
The models change and meander around of course because, let's face it, it's still hard to predict Mother Nature's plans. The image above is the one from last night, but I'm sure as this posts, there will be an updated one. Still, it's probably headed toward the middle of the Texas coast which puts us on what they call "the dirty side"...i.e. the East side of a storm always has the heaviest rain/wind. Tropical storms are bigger rain events than Hurricanes. With those, we worry about wind and tornadoes in addition to the rain, but in Tropical Storms, we worry mostly about rain...heavy, heavy rain.
The City of Houston Office of Emergency Management is predicting 6 to 15 inches of rain and is telling us to be prepared for flooding like we just had or possibly worse than Memorial Day and more widespread.
If this were a large Hurricane, we'd head to the farm, our "bug out" location. For this event, we'll stay in town, though the next few days may still be crazy.
We're making sure we have plenty of food, batteries, candles, we have some oil lamps, radio, flashlights, fresh water, and of course the cats have everything they need. This is not a long term event, but it could be a couple of days where we don't want to leave the house and get out in it and there could be power outages if there is wind. Not even sure we'll stay at work all day, the city usually calls for employers to send employees home to get them off the roads in rush hour to avoid dangerous driving conditions.
Keep your fingers crossed for Texas and later, Oklahoma and the other states as the storm and rain moves North and East.
'Tis the season!
wow...6-15 inches! get out the water wings! we had an inch here last night (finally) and we are soaked with puddles everywhere. i follow the weather like a total nerd! hang in there!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I wish we could get some sent you direction (actually you might end up with some). I'm a weather nerd too!
DeleteYes, the absolute worst timing ever. We finally got a break from rain for 2 weeks, then it's been raining daily for the past week. At least brief downpours and not the flooding relentless ones. We have lost several trees from all the rain and of course, most are fruit trees. Better head for the hills for a few days if it comes. I see it swinging right up our alley after it hits you. We just can't get a break it seems. Think this is going to be a weird summer. Grandma Great used to say when it's an exceptional season, the opposite one is too. Look out for winter.
ReplyDeleteYep, isn't it crazy? I've seen quite a few plants and trees die from too much rain. Overwatering is always just as bad as under watering, huh?
DeleteWise words from your Grandma, that is crazy to think but it might just be true. Perhaps we should anticipate a bad Winter and prepare for it?
truly hoping the re-flooding won't be too severe, but i know everyone is on pins and needles again.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely and there is lots coming your way, stay high and dry, if you can!
Delete1st Man,
ReplyDeleteWere hoping the rain isn't as severe as predicted. Yes, I would relocate to the farm for several days and be prepared. Any fresh food should be picked up early because shelves at the store will be bare the closer storms are to your location. I would also suggest extra gas for your car, generator, and chain saw. We always have extra gas for emergencies.
I know....I think y'all might be in for some bad rain, stay safe. Yes, went to the store on Sunday, in preparation and glad I did because it was chaos when I drove by on Monday. Any big hurricane, we'll definitely go to the farm. Great idea about the gas for chainsaw, etc, will have to remember that.
DeleteI just watched the latest weather report - and yep, it's coming in tonight-tomorrow. So I'm fixin' to go get some supplies. Y'all stay safe!
ReplyDeleteHope you made it through. Crazy storm. You ok?
DeleteIt came in at Matagorda, which is about 30 miles south of here - so we got hit. The wind was really blowing this afternoon - there are tree branches down all around town, one right across the street from me. And it rained cats and dogs! I got 6.5 inches today - and it's still raining. No flooding for me but other parts of my town are flooded. Hopefully this will end pretty soon. Hope y’all are ok and that you aren't flooded.
DeleteYAY! Well not yay that there are tree branches down and flooding rain, ha, just yay that you are ok.
DeleteNo flooding here, all is good, in town about 3 inches of rain, not sure about the farm yet, waiting for 2nd Family to report in.
My friend "R" who's parents have a ranch a bit further out from the farm has had 11 inches of rain and it's STILL raining.
Do be careful and take care. Hopefully it will not be as bad as the last flooding.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Not as bad, for us, but bad for a lot around us.
DeleteStay safe. We are headed for 110 degrees F.
ReplyDelete110? Yikes! Wish we could get you some of the rain!!!
DeleteFingers and toes crossed.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Update tomorrow!
DeleteHunker down and take care! At least it's cooler there than in eastern NC. It will be 100 degrees here today!
ReplyDeleteYikes! You stay cool, and I think you might get some of this rain.
DeleteHope you get to stay home and give lots of ear rubs to kitties. Mine always loved it. I could do it for hours and she would just lay there and snooze. If I stopped, she would open her eyes and look at me with a "Why did you stop?" expression. What is a kitty caregiver to do? Anyway, Take Care and Thanks for the neat website link. Have a good week. M
ReplyDeleteLOL, didn't get to stay home, believe it or not. Went in late and left a bit early but it was business as usual during the rain, and the heaviest came tonight. Tomorrow it should be over for us. Glad you liked the link, it's got all sorts of cool weather stuff on it.
DeleteDon't forget the alcohol! My first hurricane in NC I was buying crackers and can cheese and other non perishable items and my friends were buying all the booze they could grab. I think a nice mix would have been the best bet! :) Hope things are all going well for you! Oh- if you have Menards by you every spring we add a few more LED lanterns to our stash (can't have too many and can always lend out if you have plenty!) and the LED flat flashlights that you can stick on your fridge. We got the flashlight models for about 99 cents after rebate. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteStay safe and away from TREES. I cannot get over how dry we are here and how wet it is in Texas. It seems such a short time ago you folks were suffering the same drought conditions we are in right now. Please take care...
ReplyDelete