Welcome

2006 Hurricane Season

In the Atlantic Basin and (more to my own interests) the Gulf of Mexico, the 2006 Hurricane Season is off to a much slower start than last year. In the EPAC (Eastern PACific) the season is starting to move right along.

As do the other amatuer mets and professional mets, I remain firm that this will be yet another active year for Atlantic Tropical Cyclones.

In the Gulf Shores area, hopefully we will be spared another direct hit. Ivan and last year’s Katrina gave us more than anyone could want, however, we remain in an active cycle.

As we start down the home stretch of this season, I and a few others, will use this space to make observations and provide you with what we hope to be life saving tips on what to do before, during, and after the storms.

You will see the following text many times on this blog, so please make a point of following it: In ANY disaster situation, refer to your local, state, and federal authorities when making decisions that can and will affect your life and property.

Note: The picture to the right was taken during landfall of Hurricane Ivan as it moved across Gulf Shores, Alabama. The radar image is of Ivan making landfall in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

Each and every storm has its own characteristics such as the devastation of Katrina, the well inland damage from Opal, and the after effects of virtually all major storms.

A perfect example would be hurricane Rita. Gulf Shores and Orange Beach were well to the east of this storm, and yet the following footage was available:

(Notes from the time Rita’s approach from 2005)

Demonstration of a Hurricane’s Power

The wind and rain from the outter bands of Hurricane Rita provided some spectacular footage as evidenced in the photographs to the right.

At the time these photographs were taken, Rita was over 400 miles away from Gulf Shores and moving westward. The sheer amount of energy require to churn the Gulf of Mexico is incredible.
Locally, the Baldwin County area was under a flood warning for low lying areas.

Heavy rain and winds were not expected, although the elevated surf, while dangerous, was a sight to behold. As Rita marched across the Gulf of Mexico, residents in Gulf Shores and Orange beach kept a wary eye out for the possibility of outter bands.

Unlike the devastation wrought by Ivan and the destruction of Katrina, the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach areas certainly dodged a bullet from Rita. Texas was not so lucky. Even with the mininal impact that Rita posed to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, the effects, in addition to being spectacular, cause erosion damage and some structural damage.

Those that live here, whether each day or each thought, remember the past storms and respect the future storms.

It is my sincere hope that you find this blog informative, entertaining, and above all, that you and yours remain safe.