 |
|
 |
| [-] |
| [−] |
| [−] |
| [−] |
| [−] |
Prev | List | Random | Next |
Minor flooding reported near McDonalds
If you tracked the progress of Dennis using links provided in previous entries you already know the peak sustained winds and gusts associated with landfall:
Eglin AFB: 48 knots sustained, gust 72 knots - estimated
Navy Pensacola: 39 knots sustained, gust 52 knots
Crestview Florida peak gust 50 knots
Panama City, Florida 30 knots sustained, gust 48 knots
Mobile Alabama peak gust 42 knots
Buoys:
Station 42039 - PENSACOLA - 115NM East Southeast of Pensacola, FL sustained: 47 knots, gust 58 knots
Station PCLF1 - 8729840 - Pensacola sustained 35 knots gust 51 knots at 3PM CDT (no further reports)
Weather channel video from:
(Update: Original footage in the linked stories showed various reporters discussing how weak the storm was, but have since been replaced.) We may yet see some damage photos from storm surge or wind, but thus far it looks like Dennis was Tropical Storm strength at landfall.
The Pensacola News/Journal: Dennis spares Pensacola Bay Area from Ivan-scale damage
While formidable, Hurricane Dennis did not pack the punch that was expected, and certainly did not deliver the damage dealt by Hurricane Ivan in September 2004.Mudville earlier today:Reports from the field:
Downtown roads are passable for the most part, with scattered debris mostly from trees.
Aragon Court is flooded up to the curb but has not reached the houses.
Bayfront Parkway is clear of debris and water has not breeched the road.
Pensacola Bay Bridge is passable and has no damage; residents are crossing the bridge.
The fishing pier appears not to have sustained any additional damage. Water levels do not appear to be that high.
There is minimal damage entering Gulf Breeze from Pensacola. Some signs are down; trees are relatively intact. There is minor flooding near the McDonald's. Gulf Breeze residents already are out and driving around.
You'll rarely (as in never) hear accurate media reports on actual hurricane wind strength. Although local reporters in hurricane country often do fine work, at the national level reporters don't fact check actual reports from observing sites. Instead they typically report the National Hurricane Center forecast of maximum winds expected as if it were an actual occurrence. Thus you end up with bizarre and sensational stories...National coverage:
CNN: Dennis hits coast with 120 mph winds
MOBILE, Alabama (CNN) -- Hurricane Dennis pushed ashore with 120 mph winds Sunday afternoon, triggering tornado warnings across the western Florida Panhandle as it moved northward.Reuters: UPDATE 5-Hurricane Dennis slams into storm-scarred US coastDespite a 15-mph dip in sustained wind speeds, Dennis remained a major Category 3 hurricane, the National Hurricane Center reported.
PENSACOLA, Fla., July 10 (Reuters) - Hurricane Dennis slammed into the Gulf Coast on Sunday with ferocious winds and waves that threatened huge destruction in an area still bearing scars from last year's storms.But the AP topped them all, and really had a go with those rubes in NY City, reporting this in the NY Times:The storm had weakened slightly since morning but still carried top winds of 120 mph (192 kph).
The hurricane's eyewall, the intense part of the storm around its center, swept ashore around mid-afternoon just east of Pensacola in northwest Florida, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.
After killing 32 people in Cuba and Haiti, Dennis roared northward into the Gulf of Mexico with powerful winds and a 10- to 15-foot (3-metre to 4.6-metre) storm surge that could swamp towns.
As it came ashore, Dennis was a Category 3 hurricane on the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale, a hurricane with winds of up to 130 mph (208 kph) capable of causing serious damage.
This made it as strong as Hurricane Ivan, which killed 25 people, caused $14 billion in damages and destroyed or damaged 13 oil drilling platforms in the Gulf in September. Earlier Sunday, Dennis was a stronger Category 4 storm.
PENSACOLA, Fla. (AP) -- Hurricane Dennis came ashore on the Florida Panhandle and Alabama coast Sunday with a 120-mph fury of blinding squalls and crashing waves that followed in the ruinous footprints of Ivan just 10 months ago.This in the wake of the utterly ridiculous reports from Guantanamo.The storm crossed land near the same state-line spot where Ivan arrived, pounding beachfronts already painfully exposed by denuded dunes, flattened neighborhoods and piles of rubble that threatened to turn into deadly missiles.
<...>
White-capped waves spewed four-story geysers over sea walls. Sideways, blinding rain blew in sheets, toppling roadside signs for hotels and gas stations. Sheriff's deputies were only responding to ''life and death'' 911 calls because it was too dangerous to be out on the streets.
Gov. Jeb Bush filled out the necessary paperwork on Sunday, July 10, asking the federal government to declare the state a major disaster area.According to that same report a portable weather observation station near Navarre measured a 121 mph gust at 3:11 p.m. Update: An updated CNN story includes a quote from a Navarre resident:
Eugene Simmons, an amateur radio operator in the mainland town of Navarre, said the storm knocked out power about 10 minutes before making landfall and knocked down tree limbs as it passed. But he said little damage was visible, and his own home was undamaged.Most tragically, "Dennis" has caused two deaths in the Florida panhandle:"I was surprised how long power lasted," he said.
An elderly man seeking shelter from Hurricane Dennis was found dead at the Pensacola Civic Center about 1:45 a.m. today, Escambia County Sheriff Ron McNesby said.We hope wherever you are the weather is fine.The 77-year-old man, whose name has not been released, was found in a restroom, according to sheriff's reports.
Initial indications are that he died of a heart attack. Family members were at the shelter with him.
Also, Florida officials reported the first fatality tied to Hurricane Dennis was a 3-year-old boy who died Friday in Walton County.
The child fell out of a van during evacuation preparations. Florida Highway Patrol Col. Chris Knight said he had no further details.
Update: Previous and additional coverage on the main page. A key point should be stressed here: Sensational type reporting - and exaggeration of minor storms into major stories - contributes to the lack of response on the part of many to a major storm when one does come along. People who erroneously believe they've survived a cat 3-4 storm will be in for a rude surprise when a real one moves in.
