Top meteorologists sound ‘alarm bells’ on worrying outlook for 2024 hurricane season

Hurricane Beryl Caused ‘Unimaginable’ Damage in Grenada, Leader Says

 

I put in 51.2 miles on the bike yesterday and it wasn't nearly as bad (humid) as last week. I hope it's much the same tomorrow. Forecast is for a light wind from the SW switching to a light wind from the NNW .... might be good for a cruise to St Aug Beach and back.

 

Yep, you'd think everyone new to the state of Florida did some research on the weather/hurricanes that might hit Florida before they loaded up the truck and moved to... Hollywood.

We long time residents know the drill.

 

Living along the coasts or even within 20-30 miles is always a bit of a gamble, esp for the hot tub that is the Gulf of Mexico. But this misses that the odds have gone substantially worse for being hit by one of these storms, that applies for “long time residents” too. Perhaps especially for long term residents in older homes (unless homes are retrofitted at least up to modern code).

Some parts of the state haven’t seen a hurricane in many years. Tampa for example, somewhat amazingly, hasn’t been hit since 1921. Even though many storms have hit the panhandle or SW Florida. I’d wonder how many Tampa area residents would have a clue or be prepared? Esp if one of these 165 or 175mph monsters hit. Many older homes there are wood frame and shingle roof, any direct hit would make huge numbers of properties uninhabitable for months if not permanently, and good luck getting supplies and labor for any construction work after that mess.

As bad as Irma and Ian were recently, the state got a break on their paths compared to if it devastated Tampa Bay and Sarasota.

 

A Cat5 heading NNE with it's eye passing over St. Pete would be practically worst case scenario in the US. Just the storm surge into Tampa Bay is too much to even contemplate.

 

Given Beryl, which has broken records for June and July, this post appears not to have aged well.