State of Emergency declared for the entire state of Florida

[malaise]

Scott is about to hold a press conference. I
Says it willbe a Cat 2 in the panhandle.
Watching on ABC Miami
He's withdrawing from RNC and is canceling his convention activities - is headint to Tampa tonight with his family and will hold a briefing there.
Is is touvh with the RNC.

Complete ReTHUG chaos.

[malaise]

1. Great question

How much notice have the people in the Keys been given enough notice to evacuate.

[malaise]

2. FEMA FEMA FEMA

Fucker knows about FEMA now.

[malaise]

4. Another good question

Is anyone telling the ReTHUGs that maybe they should get out of town or are they making their own decisions.

[HockeyMom]

34. Governor of Alabama

announced he is not going to the Convention. Said too much preparation he had to make for the storm.

One Down,

[CabCurious]

61. This is increasingly looking like it's going to slam LA/MISS/ALA

And it could be bad.

[CherokeeDem]

6. Heard a couple of hours ago...

most of the tourists have already left the Keys...residents were being advised to leave, don't know if a mandatory evacuation is in place yet. Having lived in Miami for ten years, post Andrew, I worry many of them won't leave.

[Ruby the Liberal]

3. For a Cat 1 off the coast?

Oh please.

[malaise]

5. Cat 2 in Pensecola

He's closing the airport in the Keys at 7.00pm tonight.
He's pulled out of the convention but will hold the next press conference in Tampa tomorrow

Please stay ReTHUGs

[CabCurious]

59. Let's hope it doesn't strengthen beyond a cat2

Partisan entertainment aside, I don't wish for damage and destruction to the people living there.

[unc70]

9. A Cat 2 or Cat 3 along and into coast

Strong Cat 1 into Miami area. Cat 2 or Cat 3 as it passes Tampa offshore and as it comes ashore near Pensacola. And it will be 400 miles in diameter.

So none of this PLEASE.

How many hurricanes have you been through?

[malaise]

11. Tornado watches and warnings will also

be a factor.
Bottom line is that any Florida governor will take this seriously - yesterday was the 20th anniversary of Andrew.

[Ruby the Liberal]

22. 4.

3 in coastal Florida, 1 stranded in Mexico that spun for 3 days over Cancun.

Yes, "Please". This thing is a Cat 1 for Tampa Bay area and totally offshore. Yes, they will get the eastern wall, but everyone is ALREADY IN TOWN OR EN ROUTE.

This "statewide emergency" is a fraud from a state government who decries any and all Federal aid - when it suits them.

Pray tell - what exactly do you project West Palm/Daytona/Jacksonville needing in aid that warrants this?

[daligirl519]

44. I'm still trying to figure out. . .

how Obama engineered this. I thought the weather machine would not be completed until his second term. But I guess we should have known he was up to something, with the drought and all.

[Ruby the Liberal]

49. Did you mean to respond to me?

Because that CT isn't in my playbook.

[Fumesucker]

50. This might help..

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1240137023

[Ruby the Liberal]

51. Heh.

Well played, sir. Well played.

[Edweird]

29. I've lived in South Florida for over 20 years - before Andrew.

Additionally, I've worked in trades that repaired infrastructure damaged by them and have been in them on my way to respond. I've been through more than a few hurricanes. The reality is that Isaac (if it maintains it's current projected path) will be no worse than the afternoon thunderstorms we've been getting here in Western Palm Beach County. While it's true the storm may be "400 miles wide" the actual hurricane force winds (if/when it becomes one) won't be nearly as wide. "Cat 2 or Cat 3 as it passes Tampa offshore"? Really? Where are you getting that from? As it stands now the Florida West Coast will probably get tropical storm force winds and not much else. You are fear mongering. Stop it.
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/storm_graphics/AT09/refresh/AL0912_PROB34_F120_sm2+gif/212841.gif
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/storm_graphics/AT09/refresh/AL0912_PROB64_F120_sm2+gif/212841.gif

[unc70]

45. Getting data from HH and lots of sites

I am looking at latest sonde data from hurricane hunters, all the various models (including the ones that were initialized poorly), most of the same data available to the NHC, the input of experts like Dr Jeff Masters, and more sources than can probably remember. Plus 60+ years of experience.

It is a probabilities look at things. Watch what the forecast is after the model runs tonight.

There is a large UL high over Isaac plus additional LL/ML low over near GCay that appear ready to join for this RI scenario. If that happens, you get Panhandle landfall. Slower intensification would keep it on more westward track a la Katrina.

[Edweird]

57. Okie dokie. I'm in the Miami area, so when should I expect that "Strong Cat 1"?

As of right now it's a temperate, overcast breezy day with occasional showers. I was out in it all night - a job we had scheduled that was only supposed to take "2 or 3 hours" ended up taking 9. I'm going to get some sleep and check back for that "strong cat 1".

[unc70]

58. Rain bands not too far from you, but

You should still get brushed by TS winds and heavy squal lines. Not that unusual in Florida. Center of Isaac still expected to go near KW as barely a hurricane (or barely not).

Weather bands should start reaching you this morning. Forecast through Monday is still much the same. After that, nobody knows. And I mean nobody. The computer models for landfall are all over the place now. Anywhere from TX to FL. Watch now issued west to LA now.

Forecast problems stem from interactions with ULL above NC and VA and trough coming into TX and OK. This uncertainty is big problem knowing who and where to evacuate.

At this point, be prudent and be alert. Heavy rain and tornados are probably biggest threats at the moment.

[Edweird]

64. You clearly stated that Miami would get a "Strong Cat 1" and Tampa "a Cat 2 or 3" .

I stated that what we would get is roughly equivalent to the afternoon storms that build over the Everglades and come into town.
I do, however, appreciate you responding to my last post as if I was actually coming to you for advice - I needed a good laugh

[unc70]

68. Glad I could entertain

I was working from same guidance as many others. Having the models go all over the place did not help any of the forecasts. When one set is showing Panhandle and the other TX and LA, it gets tricky.

Glad I could provide you with entertainment.

[CabCurious]

7. Can Gov Scott even find the panhandle on a map?

[TheCowsCameHome]

8. How long before he applies for federal aid?

Heh............'ol bootstraps a little too hard to pull up, Rick?

[flamingdem]

10. Not until after the convention!

And quietly

[malaise]

13. Remember he and Rmoney are not friends

because he keeps saying Florida is doing really well and WiLLIARd has given orders that the official party meme is that every state is doing badly.

[flamingdem]

43. Oh I did forget! That's one of my favorite stories

along with when he punked the right wing Cuban Americans at Freedom Tower recently. He's another rogue politician

[yardwork]

15. My thoughts exactly. Time for the Rethugs to show us how self-sufficient they all are.

[malaise]

16. There are lots of Democrats in Florida

Evacuation orders for mobile home communities in Miami Dade.

[TheCowsCameHome]

18. I wish no one harm, however

I have ZERO tolersance for these teabagger hypocrites like pRick Scott, et al, that make a career of knocking the very same government that they depend on when things go bad.

Better get yourselves some intensive rugged individualism training in the next 36 hours, teabaggers.

[Ruby the Liberal]

25. Which doesn't explain a state-wide State of Emergency

Yes, evac Miami-Dade and the West/Panhandle as appropriate, but that hardly warrants a state wide state of emergency for a Cat 1.

[TBF]

28. Lots of trailer homes and stuff -

those Disney workers are not living in mansions (maybe the execs - but not everyone else). But it's always fun to watch the rethugs request federal funds ...

[Ruby the Liberal]

30. I lived in Florida for over a decade.

Can't recall a statewide emergency for an offshore < Cat 3. This is GOP hyped bullshit, IMO.

[quaker bill]

37. Scott loves statewide emergencies

he calls them for forest fires too. We already have a statewide emergency for the flooding that un-named storm caused in the big bend earlier in the year. I don't believe he ever ended that state of emergency, so now we likely have two at the same time.

It works administrative magic under Sec. 252.363 FS.

[yardwork]

66. More hypocrisy for Scott. He goes running to the feds for everything.

While turning down federal money that will help children and poor people.

[unc70]

47. See my post #45

[darkangel218]

39. Its easy for you to say that

I live in a mobile home at the moment, and I dont plan on going airborne. So they better open the shelters tomorrow

[yardwork]

65. I'm not wishing harm on anybody. I'm talking about the Republicans at the convention.

Republicans from all over the country who have voted over and over again to cut government support of relief programs, always mouthing platitudes about self-sufficiency. Now they're going to be on the edge of a hurricane. Watch how fast they demand government help.

Personally, I hope that the hurricane stays out in the Gulf and doesn't cause any more harm.

[central scrutinizer]

48. time to cowboy up

let the magic hand of the free marketplace make everything better. government is the enemy.

[JaneyVee]

12. You mean the RNC convention IS the FEMA camp?

Tin foil hats.

[malaise]

14. I wish

The best part is that a ReTHUG governor has to deliver the bad news

[JaneyVee]

17. Wonder if the convention center will be used as a homeless shelter. The irony.

Hopefully everyone is safe & OK.

[TheCowsCameHome]

19. From hopeless (GOP) to homeless (I hope not) in the blink of an eye.

[JaneyVee]

20. Yeah I hope everyone is safe. The chaos it's causing the RNC is as far as I want it to go.

[TheCowsCameHome]

21. I agree. A "Mission Accomplished" moment, of sorts.

[malaise]

32. Precisely

That's all I want

[TBF]

27. And the rethug governor will be asking for federal $$$.

[Berlum]

56. You could be on to something there...

[malaise]

24. ReTHUGs have postponed until Tuesday

Bwaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

http://blogs.ajc.com/political-insider-jim-galloway/2012/08/25/republicans-shift-their-tampa-convention-to-tuesday/
<snip>
Due to the severe weather reports for the Tampa Bay area, the Republican National Convention will convene on Monday August 27th and immediately recess until Tuesday afternoon, August 28th, exact time to follow.

Our first priority is ensuring the safety of delegates, alternates, guests, members of the media attending the Republican National Convention, and citizens of the Tampa Bay area. RNC Convention officials and the Romney campaign are working closely with state, local and federal officials, as well as the Secret Service, to monitor Tropical Storm Isaac and preserve Florida’s emergency management resources. Officials have predicted participants may encounter severe transportation difficulties due to sustained wind and rain.

The Republican National Convention will take place and officially nominate Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan, and the Party has other necessary business it must address. We also are remaining in constant contact with state and federal officials and may make additional schedule alterations as needed.

[quaker bill]

38. It does not appear to be coming here

I was briefly in an EOC meeting yesterday. They are not expecting impacts on Central FL. This could change, but the models show impacts to the southern gulf coast or the panhandle, not here.

[quaker bill]

54. Impacts of this storm, if there are any

are still late monday to tuesday. If shelters are opened, and this seems unlikely on the current track, it will happen tomorrow.

[TBF]

26. I hope they know where the local schools are -

that is where the sheltering will take place. Of course with all the cuts to education who knows ...

Good luck, repugs.

[HockeyMom]

31. Weather Channel had the Space Alien on

"It is my duty to protect the citizens of Florida who elected me". BS. Are you going to take Federal money too?

[malaise]

33. Of course

He loved his government money - remember Medicare racket

[darkangel218]

35. space alien!!!

[avebury]

36. A co-worker and her husband just flew to Orlando this morning.

Their airline tickets and condo rental were nonrefundable.

[Terra Alta]

53. hope you stay safe! nt

[daligirl519]

42. My friends in Naples, FL are headed inland. n/t

[MichiganVote]

46. Oh..a storm, sorry, thought it was the invasion of the Republicans

Wonder if the skinny dippers will swim in the ocean this time?

[nadinbrzezinski]

52. First day cancelled, and Scott doing this

ok... I am almost a believer.

LORD I beseech you... STRATEGIC STRIKE, include fire and brimstone if you wish, ONLY on the convention. Leave the rest of the good people of Florida alone.

(And for those of you who have to live through yet another hurricane... the best of luck and I hope the shelters and all other assets work)

FYI prayers to god are in jest in this case. I know better, but I wonder if a certain preacher is doing this TURN FROM FLORIDUH prayer right at the moment...

[B Calm]

55. You think maybe God is a women?

[malaise]

63. LOL

All I wanted was chaos for the ReTHUGs. I'm satisfied.

[CabCurious]

60. NHC/NOAA has Isaac hitting LA/ALA/MISS/FL coast

Media needs to stop focusing entirely on florida...

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/storm_graphics/AT09/refresh/AL0912W5+gif/092352W_sm.gif

[Red Mountain]

62. Wonder if a state of emergency....

gives the gov expanded powers to deal with protests?

[darkangel218]

67. Hmm good question

Btw, its 3:32 pm and it started Storming really bad here in Orlando. The wind is picking up quiet a bit.