Ivan strengthens to 145 MPH monster, NHC says will increase further

[Zynx]

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCPAT4+shtml/082338.shtml?

>>IVAN HAS WOBBLED A LITTLE TO THE WEST DURING THE PAST FEW HOURS...
BUT IS MOVING GENERALLY TOWARD THE WEST-NORTHWEST NEAR 17 MPH...28
KM/HR. ON THIS TRACK...THE CENTER OF IVAN SHOULD MOVE NORTH OF
ARUBA...BONAIRE...AND CURACAO DURING THE NEXT FEW HOURS AND THEN
WILL CONTINUE ON ROUTE TOWARD THE AREA NEAR JAMAICA.

IVAN IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS CATEGORY 4 HURRICANE ON THE
SAFFIR-SIMPSON HURRICANE SCALE. REPORTS FROM AN AIR FORCE RESERVE
HURRICANE HUNTER AIRCRAFT INDICATE THAT MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS
HAVE INCREASED TO 145 MPH...235 KM/HR...WITH HIGHER GUSTS.
ADDITIONAL STRENGTHENING IS EXPECTED DURING THE NEXT 24 HOURS.

HURRICANE FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 70 MILES...110 KM...
FROM THE CENTER...AND TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP
TO 160 MILES...260 KM. BONAIRE REPORTED A WIND GUST OF 41 MPH A FEW
HOURS AGO.

THE MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE JUST REPORTED BY THE HURRICANE HUNTER
WAS 938 MB...27.70 INCHES.<<

[freetobegay]

1. The Gulf Tepmature in S.W. Florida is down to 82 degress

If it comes our way, this will take alot of steam out if it.

[Zynx]

4. Hope that it slows down then. And shrinks.

The thing is the size of Frances with a HUGE area of very strong hurricane force winds.

If it comes over Cuba real fast, it probably won't matter that the water is cooler than it should be because it will only be out there for a few hours.

[Dogmudgeon]

5. Probably from sea churning from Frances

Most of that area, however, is running a degree or two above normal for this time of year. Also, I think the cooler water is to the east, not the west, though this might have changed in the last day.

If Ivan picks up speed, there won't be enough time for the cooler water to churn up and put the brakes on the storm. So a stronger set of winds from the north will help reduce it's power. On the other hand, it will also slow its transit across Florida (or wherever it hits).

I don't know exactly where you live, but after the season is over, you may want to consider investing in some more hurricane-proofing upgrades to your house.

--bkl

[freetobegay]

6. I am in fort Myers

I was only reporting what our local meteoroligist said today. I have to give them credit, when the National weather service screwed up on focasting Charley (they kept screwing up to the last minute) our guys were spot on. S.W. Florida has some of the most advanced weather equipment & seasoned weather people anyone can have.

[jdj]

7. do you have a link to a station??

I would really be interested, both Charley and Frances have been disasters, prediction wise, so I'd be interested in a link to where people who actually will be affected by it are postings their predictions!

(Because my brother lives there, I worry, they are really close to the beach)

[freetobegay]

8. Here is the local station that I watch

http://www.nbc-2.com/

[jdj]

2. Thanks for posting.

We have been pelted by Frances for two days in the east and people are fed up, and I don't think folks are wanting to watch Ivan so much. They better. I hope post #1 is right, my brother lives in Pensacola, and they've been really lucky so far.

[ewagner]

3. 938 MB????????????????

Holy SH*T!!!!!!

[Renew Deal]

10. Damn right.

And it went from about 955-950 to 938 in 12 hours.

[soup]

9. Hurricane Ivan flattened Grenada

85% devastation - nutmeg industry gone - horrible destruction -

Hurricane Ivan death toll in Grenada now 20
http://msnbc.msn.com/ID/5927015/

[JoFerret]

11. Nutmeg is why Reagan invaded.

Joking aside....this is terrible for such a small place. Terrible anywhere.

[realcountrymusic]

12. Grenada: Please Help

In my work, I have come to know many Grenadian (and St. Lucian) immigrants in New York. To a *one* they have been salt of the earth people, kind, generous, warm, family-oriented, religious, darn patriotic Americans as well as loyal to their island countries. I am sometimes in awe of the strength of their culture, their ability to rise above sometimes very challenging conditions (in the Bed-Stuy and Crown Heights neighborhoods of Brooklyn, which ain't no island paradise). They are fanatical about education, and like generations of immigrants before them, put everything they have into getting their kids through school and into college, even though many of them have grade-school educations. If I had to pick the nicest people I've known in my life, my Grenadian friends would be at the front of the line as a group. This is terrible news for them. They have no FEMA. Grenada is a very poor place, with limited economic resources.

Even the Prime Minister's house was destroyed.

In tribute to them, I take the liberty of reproducing here the call for aid from the consul general of Grenada to the US. Please, consider sending help. To keep abreast of what's happening there, and to learn more about relief efforts, keep an eye on:

http://www.grenadianconnection.com

(a community website for Grenadian immigrants run by a friend of mine)

You can send email to the CG's address, below, to find out where to send money or supplies. I'll post an update soon.

RCM
__________________
Grenada's Consul General in Florida requests aid for hurricane damaged island.

Wednesday, September 8, 2004
To all Grenadians and Friends of Grenada:

Today, I reach out to you in a moment of need for our fellow Grenadians in our tri-island State of Grenada, Carriacou and Petit Martinique. Grenada has been seriously impacted by Hurricane Ivan.

Grenada suffered a direct hit from Ivan and preliminary reports indicate that there is tremendous damage to personal property, livestock, produce and life. We do not have a firm number on the details of the effect of Ivan as yet, however, we are quite certain that the impact is quite substantial.

As we battle with our own efforts in the state of Florida with the after effects of Hurricane Charlie and more recently, Hurricane Frances, it is what a very humble heart I reach out to you for assistance for our fellow countrymen. At this time we do not have details of the urgent needs in Grenada, however I am quite certain that the following items would be requested:

Clothing
Building materials
Non Perishable foods
Water
Money
Transportation of goods to Grenada
Power tools
Medical supplies, equipment and personnel
Other items

I have arranged to meet with a core team of Grenadians tomorrow morning (Wednesday) to work out the details and logistics to get items to Grenada within a very short period of time. We will send out an email with pertinent details of where you can drop off or ship items to one of our holding centers and where any funds can be sent.

I hope to have an update for you sometime tomorrow. Please feel to call our offices or email with any questions you may have. You may also wish to cascade this message to other members of your mailing list as you see fit.

Sincerely,
Richard Allan Nixon
Hon Consul-General
Consulate General of Grenada
201 Biscayne Blvd, Suite 2800
Miami, Florida 33131
Main: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Direct: [phone]
email: [email protected]

[Minstrel Boy]

13. Thank you for posting this.

Hurricanes hit more than Florida, and the tiny Caribbean states are terribly vulnerable.