cc_rider wrote:
 
In recent years a lot of people seem to base whether or not they'll evacuate purely on the Category rating - which is primarily wind speeds - and ignore the rain and surge predictions.  Those are a lot of the folks who drown in flash floods or get their cars washed away in overflowing streams and rivers.  That happened in NC to some extent a few weeks ago.  Still, this storm is at Category 4 - I wouldn't have been sticking around.

 miamizsun wrote:  Yeah, I'm keeping an eye on the updates. Lots of people did not leave, I think there are going to be a significant number of deaths.

Katrina had the same problem: 'Oh, we've been through dozens of hurricanes, we can handle it.'

Let's hope it's not as bad as I'm afraid it is.

I have (ex) relatives in Greenville and Montgomery, they could get hit pretty hard too.
c.

 cc_rider wrote: 

i'm sure we'll see some damage/destruction

edit: mexico beach took it on the chin

 cc_rider wrote:
 

Like a scouring pad

 miamizsun wrote:
 
Watched a low Cat 1 come ashore at N. Myrtle Beach while on the 10th floor of one of those buildings several years ago. The balcony glass was at least a half inch thick and tempered. Must cost a fortune to build but I'll bet the rents pay for it all in just a few seasons

 miamizsun wrote: 
I'm sure it's code within X distance of the coast. But if the storm hits 145+ like they say it might, all bets are off.

Driving along 30A it's kind of amazing to see some of the old places that are still standing. My guess is most of those will be gone after this though.

c.

 cc_rider wrote: 

practically all of the new construction i've seen (or vacationed in) has super-duper reinforced glass that supposedly will withstand a hurricane, tsunami, earthquake, alien attack and the occasional indirect meteor strike

maybe

 cc_rider wrote: 

It's gonna be bad. Waffle House is closed.
c.

 miamizsun wrote:  I grew up in Alabama and spent a lot of time in the Ft. Walton/Destin area. Less so near Panama City, but still. To this day I'm spoiled for any other beaches.

Most of the big condo-type structures are built with a 'blow-through' design. The structural walls are heavily-reinforced concrete and perpendicular to the beach. The idea is, in the worst storms the interiors get blasted away, but the structure remains intact. Last time I was in the area I saw a number of houses being built on/near the beach, but all were concrete. Probably code now.

Best wishes to those folks, let's hope not too many try to ride it out. Living on the coast seems to get people complacent: seen one 'cane, seen 'em all. But recent history shows that ain't necessarily so...
c.

 miamizsun wrote: 
Yes...First time ever for one this big to actually make it to the Panhandle.Batten down the hatches, folks.

it looks like this storm has strengthened

over the last few years i've spent time on cape san blas and all over the gulf area

most of the properties on the beach are beefed up and elevated to handle a surge

hopefully they have prepped and evacuated

 miamizsun wrote: 

bump

need relief from over the top hurricane reporting machine...

 miamizsun wrote: 

if you're inclined try this 

or this will help too 

red cross 

 miamizsun wrote: 

this is relevant again

 ScottFromWyoming wrote: 

practically every disaster?

i've given them money

i know that LDS are johnny on the spot too

i'm pretty sure haiti is the most or one of the most corrupt spots in the caribbean

i may try direct relief

see here

 miamizsun wrote: 
I hope someone else is, too. I'm not sure how I feel about them after the NPR/ProPublica report. Has that been answered satisfactorily by anyone other than the Red Cross? Did they really produce such a one-sided report? The ARC seems to think NPR has it in for them.

ShelterBox is a pretty good outfit, I think.

But yes, they're going to need help. 

 miamizsun wrote: 
This one looks like it will miss baja. They are still rebuilding after the last one. 

the folks in mexico are probably going to need some help after patricia

i'm sure the red cross will be on it


ironically about twenty years ago i was in a nasty earthquake in puerto vallarta