On our fifth weekend without a hurricane...

I went fishing yesterday. Caught a buzz, but that's about it. The water was green and glassy and surprisingly free of traffic considering the snow birds are beginning to arrive. It was sheer bliss.

Today, the boys took down the wall they framed in behind the garage door when Ivan was threatening. The shutters are stored. My car is in its home.

A nod to the hurricane gods: we know we still have one month to go.

A Poem: Twas the night before Frances

I received this via email. I have no idea who to credit for it...

Twas the night before Frances
When all through the state
Not a gas pump was pumping
Not a store open late

All the plywood was hung
On the windows with care
Knowing that a hurricane
Soon would be there

The children were ready
With flashlights in hand
While bands from the hurricane
Covered over the land

And mamma with her Mag-Lite
And I in my cap
Had just filled the bath tub
For flushing our crap

When out on the lawn
There arose such a clatter
I sprang from the closet
To see what was the matter

The trees on the fence
And the neighbor's roof torn
Gave the fear of us dying
In this terrible storm

With a little wind gust
So lively and quick
I remembered quite clearly
Our walls weren't brick

More rapid than eagles
Her courses they came
And she whistled, and wafted
And surged all the same
Off shingles! Off sidings!
Off rooftops! Off power!
Down trees! Down fences!
Down trailers! Down towers!

In the center of Florida
She continued to maul
Screaming Blow Away!
Blow Away! Blow Away All!

As wind ripped and tossed
The debris through the sky
I peeked out the shutters
At cars floating by

So go to the safe-room
My family did do
With a portable radio
And batteries too

And then, in a twinkling
I heard on the set
The end was not coming
For a few hours yet!

As I calmed down the kids
And was turning around
Through the window it came
With a huge crashing sound

A tree branch it was
All covered in soot
The wind blew it smack-dab
On top of my foot

A bundle of twigs
Now lay in a stack
And my living room looks
Like it was under attack

The wind - how it howled!
The storm - very scary!
Myself and the family
Were all too unwary
The dangers of hurricanes
Are serious, you know
They are taken for granted
As Frances did show

With the winds dying down
And the danger beneath
I noticed my tool shed
Was missing its sheath

So I grabbed my last tarp
And nailed it on down
Then I got in my car
And I headed to town

The traffic was awful
And stores had no ice
My five gallon cooler
Would have to suffice

Generators were scarce
Not one left in town
There were trees on the roads
And power lines down

FEMA was ready
With people to work
Electrical companies
Came in from New York

And in the midst of
This peculiar routine
Another storm emerged
Named Hurricane Jeanne

I sprang to the car
And gave my family a whistle
Then away we all went
Like a Tomahawk missile

You could hear us exclaim
As we drove out of sight
"The hell with this place,
Vermont seems just right!"

Queen of England Donates $5 to Hurricane Relief in Former British Territories

Undisclosed sum must be monarch-speak for paltry amount

The Queen lent her support today to the people of the Caribbean whose lives have been devastated by hurricanes in recent months.

She has donated an undisclosed sum of money to a British Red Cross Caribbean Hurricane Appeal which will go towards helping them rebuild their communities.

Maybe she thinks her generosity will bring them back to throne?

Read the story

Hurricane Relief Funds On The Way - Hope You Don't Need That Air Conditioning Any Time Soon

If you can prove that you need assistance and have exhausted all other avenues, such as FEMA assistance, you might be eligible from some of the money generous Americans from all over the country donated to hurricane-embattled Florida during August and September. But don't spend that check just yet, it's up to the Salvation Army and the United Way to decide the criteria for victim assistance, which they plan to do - next month(!!)

Read the story...

2004 Hurricane Onslaught

Florida makes the news, dubiously, as usual.

ATLANTA, Oct. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne created chaos in Florida and impacted much of the United States over the past few months. On October 31, at 8:30 p.m. ET, meteorologist and The Weather Channel stormtracker Jim Cantore will present a special half-hour primetime program titled "2004 Hurricane Onslaught," which documents this year's incredible -- and memorable -- hurricane season. The important program will take a close look at this historic and unrelenting hurricane season, while answering a number of viewers' questions, i.e. "why do hurricanes spawn tornadoes and generate extensive flooding" and "did global warming cause this active hurricane season?"

Read the press release...

Hurricane Unearths Pieces o' Eight - Yarrrgh! Avast Ye Mateys!

Holy cow! And all we did was try to protect our home! I feel like a slacker now.

(KRT) INDIALANTIC, Fla. — It is the stuff of pirate legends, but do not waste your breath asking Joel Ruth on what stretch of Florida's Treasure Coast he found his hoard of Spanish pieces of eight - waiting to be scratched out of the sand with bare fingers and toes.

Treasure hunters guard their secrets.

Especially, if like Ruth, they have just found about 180 near-mint silver coins worth more than $40,000.

To most Floridians, hurricane season is the time to board up windows and dread the worst. But to professional and amateur treasure seekers, it is the time to hit the beaches and hunt lost riches.

Read the story...

This Just In: A Stunning Underreaction From Starbucks

So maybe I shouldn't be surprised that a company whose frontline employees barely make enough to live indoors in the state of Florida (owing, in part, to our meager minimum wage) would make such a weak gesture to its employees. But I'm always surprised at idiocy and shameful behavior. Perhaps $25k will be enough, since most of their employees probably live in their cars anyway.

Starbucks Coffee Co. announced today it is contributing $25,000 to the Florida Hurricane Relief Fund on behalf of its Florida employees.

Swallow a Tums and then...Read the story...

My advice to Starbucks? Dig a little deeper. And then use that pocket change to pay your people a living wage instead of staging this pathetic attempt to get a little publicity and maybe hear your rich friends say, "Awww...aren't you generous!" Better yet, pay your employees' insurance deductibles. Or help them find a new place to live if their homes were destroyed. Do something - anything - meaningful to help your own.

Just What Floridians Don't Want to Hear

Okay, not what we need or want to hear. But we're not the only ones. Ask Haiti. Ask North Carolina.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- With four hurricanes and tropical storms hitting the United States in a recent five-week period, 2004 already is being called "The Year of the Hurricane." But this year's unusually intense period of destructive weather activity could be a harbinger of what is to come as the effects of global warming become even more pronounced in future years, according to leading experts who participated today in a Center for Health and the Global Environment at Harvard Medical School briefing.

The recent onslaught of four major tropical weather disturbances -- Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne -- that did so much damage in the United States and nearby Haiti have spurred new questions about the relationship between hurricanes and global warming. While experts can't say that climate change will result in more hurricanes in the future, there is growing evidence and concern that the tropical storms that do happen will be more intense than in the past. Fueling concerns about the link between global warming and hurricanes is a new study on hurricane intensity published on September 28, 2004 in "The Journal of Climate." The study used extensive computer modeling to analyze 1,300 future hurricanes and projected a major increase in the intensity and rainfall of hurricanes in coming decades.

Read the story...

[Duh] Center Line of Hurricane Forecast Track Not Always Accurate

Officials are considering removing the center line imposed on the hurricane forecast tracks we see on television and in newspapers.

Emergency planners think it's a good idea because people tend to focus on the line instead of the wider cone of probability and, if they don't live near the center line, they might fail to make preparations. (Duh. Paint a bullseye on a map and where do you think the human eye will be drawn?)
Read the full story from the Tampa Trib...

Tourism officials don't like the idea so much. "Without the line, it will look like the whole state of Florida is going to be hit," they whined. Hmmm...if we have a hurricane coming, isn't it a pretty good idea to tell tourists to STAY the HELL away? I mean, forget Floridians' angst over Ontario drivers and even forget the tourists' health and safety (provided Florida has already had one or two swipes at their Visa cards, of course) and remember this: We need every hotel room in the state because the shelters keep collapsing on people.
Read their idiot remarks...

And Watch Your Rates RISE!

Allstate, who already refuses to write flood insurance in the state of Florida, might also pull out of hazard insurance, it seems. Since they're our carrier, we're anticipating sharp rate increases and possibly loss of coverage. I hope we can afford to stay in our home when it's all said and done. The sad thing? We didn't even sustain any damage yet we might be forced to sell because insurers don't plan well.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Allstate Corp. (ALL.N: Quote, Profile, Research) , the No. 2 U.S. home and auto insurer, warned on Wednesday its third-quarter profits would fall well short of expectations due to more than $1 billion in hurricane-related payouts.

The Northbrook, Illinois-based insurer said it now expects to earn net income of 9 cents in the third quarter and operating income of 8 cents per diluted share. Analysts anticipated the company would earn 24 cents per share, according to Reuters Estimates.

The news came just hours after Allstate said it would make Florida homeowner insurance policies harder to obtain after four of the 10 most costly hurricanes in U.S. history slammed into the state within a span of just six weeks.

Read the Story...while you can still afford internet access.

This Just In: Sharks Don't Like Hurricanes Either!

Sharks are smarter than the average bear...

SARASOTA, Fla. -- While Floridians were heading away from areas threatened by hurricanes, biologists say sharks in the area were acting the same way.

At a two-day conference at Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, biologists presented reports on the behavior of tagged sharks that they tracked as Hurricane Charley came ashore. They compared the results of the study to similar findings about the behavior of sharks during Tropical Storm Gabrielle in September 2001.

Read the full story...

Here's a Shocker: Insurance Companies Don't Want to Pay After Collecting Premiums

I know, you could've knocked me over with a feather, but it seems that insurance companies are more than happy to collect premiums, but aren't quite as excited about paying claims.

Who'd have thunk it, huh?

Read the story...

Experts Can't Fully Explain Shifts In Hurricane Activity

TAMPA - A decade ago something happened in the complex
relationship of Atlantic Ocean currents, air pressure,
salinity, temperature and other conditions not
completely understood that ushered a new era of
hurricanes.

Full Story

Florida Tries To Stop Hurricane-Forced Canker Spread

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- State officials have decided
to make a stand against citrus canker in Palm Beach
County.

Experts are worried the hurricane winds could have
spread citrus canker northward into the state's citrus
belt, which has already been raked by the storms
themselves.

Full
Story...

Hurricane puts projects on hold

In news from Charlotte County, civil projects will
have to wait for hurricane recovery...


Full Story...

Sub-Tropical Storm Nichole

Not a threat to Florida, but could bring a lot of rain to the Northeast. Since they've been getting the tail end of the Florida hurricanes all season, they don't need more rain, either.

Read more...

Matthew No Threat

Tropical Storm Matthew is no threat to Florida. We'll get some rain, which we don't need, but we won't be boarding and hoarding this weekend.

Yesterday was a beautiful day - hot and breezy. We worked on some projects so didn't get out in it much. The hurricane season has devoured our desire to do summer things. This is the first time in my life I've been ready for summer to be over. I want to take down the plywood, open my garage door (it's walled in right now) and not hear the words "Tropical Update" on the news.

Tropical Update: More On The Way?

530 AM EDT FRI OCT 8 2004 FOR THE NORTH
ATLANTIC...CARIBBEAN SEA AND THE GULF OF MEXICO... THE
BROAD AREA OF LOW PRESSURE IN THE WESTERN GULF OF
MEXICO LOOKS A LITTLE BETTER ORGANIZED THIS MORNING
AND A TROPICAL DEPRESSION MAY BE FORMING. A
RECONNAISSANCE AIRCRAFT WILL INVESTIGATE THIS
AFTERNOON. THIS SYSTEM IS EXPECTED TO MOVE SLOWLY
NORTH TO NORTHEASTWARD AND PRODUCE LOCALLY HEAVY RAINS
AND STRONG GUSTY WINDS OVER PORTIONS OF THE
NORTHWESTERN AND NORTHERN GULF COAST. AN AREA OF LOW
PRESSURE OVER THE LESSER ANTILLES IS PRODUCING
CLOUDINESS AND SHOWERS THAT EXTEND NORTHWARD OVER THE
CENTRAL ATLANTIC FOR SEVERAL HUNDRED MILES. ALTHOUGH
UPPER-LEVEL WINDS ARE NOT FAVORABLE FOR DEVELOPMENT AT
THIS TIME...GUIDANCE SUGGESTS THAT THERE COULD BE SOME
DEVELOPMENT TO THE NORTH OF THE LESSER ANTILLES DURING
THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS. ELSEWHERE...TROPICAL STORM
FORMATION IS NOT EXPECTED THROUGH SATURDAY. FORECASTER
LAWRENCE $$



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FEMA Neglects to Pay Hurricane Victims' Rent. Polk County Victims Served With Eviction Notices

Okay, so they're living in travel trailers. They've lost most of their belongings. They have no one to turn to except FEMA. And, true to form, FEMA flips them the bird. Hey, at least they're consistently incompetent.

Story...

Bill aimed at reducing hurricane damage passes Florida Senate

More changes to Florida's building codes on the way.

This means, if we do lose our homes in a hurricane, it will be four times as expensive to rebuild and our insurance coverage won't be enough to cover the new codes - that is, if the insurance company actually honors the contract and pays.

Story...

Ivan Causes Oil Pipeline Leaks in Gulf

By CAIN BURDEAU
Associated Press Writer

NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- Hurricane Ivan punched holes in the network of oil and natural gas pipelines in the Gulf of Mexico, causing oil and gas to leak out at numerous points along the thousands of miles of pipelines.

By Wednesday, nearly two weeks after Ivan hit the Gulf Coast, the Minerals Management Service and the U.S. Coast Guard were unsure how many oil spills were caused by cracked pipelines. Most of the pipelines in the hurricane path were shut in and being inspected.

In one spill at a Shell Oil Co. pipeline about 30 miles east of Venice, near the mouth of the Mississippi River, crews had gathered about 101,000 gallons of water polluted with oil.

Read the story...

Frogs, Frogs Everywhere

Florida overrun by tree frogs and bufo toads.

Senior citizens complain about the noise, try to pass ordinance against frog songs after 10 PM.

Story...

A Sight For More Than Sore Eyes

Quoted from NOAA's Web site:

Active Tropical Cyclones
Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and the Eastern Pacific out to 140°W

Page last modified Tuesday, 5 Oct 2004 08:28:03 GMT
Atlantic & Caribbean
There are no tropical cyclones at this time.

Perhaps two weekends in a row without a storm? Dare we dream?

A Weekend Without A Hurricane

It's been a calm weekend - the first of many during which we did not have to prepare for an impending storm.

But there's the cleanup. Jeanne tore the west side off of a huge tree in our backyard and the debris is, well, a mess. We started working on it yesterday, but I couldn't continue. I stayed in the sun too long and ended up with heat exhaustion. I think I scared Jim; my face was as red as a tomato I was dizzy, seeing tracers around my head. I quit working and went inside, but I just couldn't cool off. Finally, I put my head and neck under cold water and kept it there until I felt my body temperature returning to normal.

A friend stopped by with a smoked mullet (from Cortez - best mullet in Florida) just in time to keep me from passing out. We devoured the mullet with cheese, grapes and crackers, washed down with Gatorade and water. I swear I've never had a better meal.

We had to remind ourselves that many hurricane casualties are a result of the clean-up work that has to be done in the ruthless Florida heat. If you think Florida isn't a harsh climate, you're wrong. It's just harsh in a different way than the northern states. Winters are reasonably mild, but the summers are brutal.

Still, I love Florida summers. I love the blinding heat, the warm water, the sticky evenings, the violent afternoon thunderstorms and the humidity laying thick over the state like a wet blanket.

Not crazy about the hurricanes, though.

Can You Say "Duh?"

Candidates Worry That Floridians Are Not Paying Attention To Them
In a stunningly obvious piece, the Houston Chronicle reports that presidential candidates are having a tough time capturing the attention of Floridians.

"Without homes or electricity in some parts of the states, affected voters cannot be contacted by pollsters or precinct captains. Media advertising goes wasted in some markets." Story...

Gee, I wonder if Floridians really care about answering polls or listening to the candidates sling crap at each other. I think not. Sure this is an important election, but jeez, give us a break.

Marketing 101: Let Florida recover before spending your time, effort and ad dollars here. Duh.

Lisa becomes a hurricane again in northern Atlantic

Finally, a storm that didn't pound Florida. Lisa is stronger, but will soon hit cold water and die.

Tropical Storm Lisa became a hurricane again Saturday in the northern Atlantic, but forecasters said it didn't threaten land and expected it to weaken over the day.

Hurricane Lisa had top sustained winds of 75 mph, just above the 74 mph threshold to become a hurricane, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.

At 5 a.m. EST, Lisa was located 745 miles west-northwest of the Azores and moving northeast at 24 miles an hour.
Story...

Hurricane Jeanne Unearths WWII Bomb!

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY · Hurricane Jeanne's vicious winds and water did more than destroy a few homes in the Ocean Ridge subdivision. They also unveiled a 10-foot-long World War II bomb buried underneath a beachfront driveway...

Read the Story

Received in the Same RSS News Feed

I received both of these stories in a refresh of my RSS news feed today.

New hurricane prediction: Relatively quiet October
By MARTIN MERZER
Hurricane expert William Gray offered a ray of hope today to hurricane-weary Floridians: A relatively quiet finish to the hurricane season, which ends Nov. 30.

Gray and his team at Colorado State University predicted three named storms during October, two of which become hurricanes. Twelve named storms were born between July 31 and Sept. 30. Seven of them grew into hurricanes, six of them intense. The team predicted ''little activity'' in November.

Gray attributed the four hurricanes that struck Florida since August 13 to a tragic coincidence of atmospheric conditions and bad luck that produced ``a once-in-a-lifetime kind of year.''

''Although Floridians should always be prepared for landfalling hurricanes, they should not expect what we have experienced this year to become the norm for future years,'' he said, even though activity throughout the entire hurricane basin is expected to remain strong for many years to come.

And...right below it in the same feed, no less:

Hurricane guru predicts busy October
By John Kelly
FLORIDA TODAY

An active October could be ahead of hurricane-wrecked Florida.

Given what's happened in August and September, a leading forecaster today increased the predicted number of tropical storms and hurricanes that might form in the Atlantic this month.

The hurricane experts at Colorado State University predict October will bring three named tropical storms that would be named Matthew, Nicole and Otto.

The Colorado State team, led by nationally-known forecaster William Gray, says two of the storms could become hurricanes. The team foresees no Category 3 or stronger hurricanes.

The forecast approximately doubles what Gray's team had forecast earlier this year for October, an upward change attributed to the unprecedented amount of activity this season.

Four hurricanes have made landfall in August and September. All of them hit Florida. Three passed through Brevard County.

Landfall probability for the remainder of the 2004 season is now estimated to be slightly above the October-November average, the forecasters said in a report released today.

The forecasters see a 17 percent chance a hurricane will form and hit the United States in October.

The good news? The chance of a November storm is fairly minimal in almost any year. The season ends Nov. 30.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, also issues hurricane forecasters at the beginning of the season. But it does not issue monthly updates.

This season has been about twice as active as forecasters expected.

To date, 2004 included 12 named storms. That included three major storms named Charley, Ivan and Jeanne and a Category 2 hurricane called Frances. That does not include Tropical Storm Bonnie, which hit the Florida Panhandle or three major hurricanes that did not make landfall.

This season has been distinguished by persistent tropical cyclone activity with at least one in existence on every day since Aug. 25, the report said.

Ivan's 10 days as an intense hurricane were the most of any storm since 1900.

The new report says the storms did an estimated $45 billion in damage combined - $5 billion more than Hurricane Andrew alone did in 1992.

Anyone got the feeling that these jokers don't know diddly? And I ain't talkin' Bo, either!