Triple Tropical Trouble…Or Quadruple?

The months of August and September are typically the busiest months of the Atlantic hurricane season, and on this first day of September it is living up to its name as we are now watching 3 tropical systems; 2 hurricanes and a new tropical storm!!!

Tropical Storm Ike, the newest name in the Atlantic Basin, has formed well away from any land areas and is located 1400 miles east of the Leeward Islands. The storm has rapidly intensified this afternoon and now has winds of 50 mph. Continued intensification is expected and Ike is forecast to become a hurricane on Tuesday. Most computer models make Ike a significant hurricane heading towards the Bahamas towards the weekend. It is still way too early to determine if Ike will hit the United States, and we have other problems to worry about before we have to deal with Ike.

One of those problems is of course Hurricane Gustav, which made landfall this morning well south of New Orleans and did a good deal of damage across Louisiana and the Gulf Coast. Now as the storm weakens over land, heavy flooding rains will be the main threat. As of 5 pm, the winds of Hurricane Gustav were about 80 mph and the pressure 966 millibars. Not to let your guard down, hurricane force winds are still occurring over Louisiana, where Baton Rouge reported wind gusts to 82 mph in the last hour. Isolated tornadoes remain possible this evening. According to the Storm Prediction Center, there have been about 11 preliminary reports of tornadoes this afternoon with Gustav. As we get into tomorrow, we will begin to see just what kind of damage this hurricane did to the coast. The good news we have heard this afternoon is that no levee breaches were reported in New Orleans. However, flooding was reported as the storm surge toppled over the levees along parts of the upper 9th ward area, but all-in-all, we fared okay compared to the postmarked Katrina event.

Now our attention will shift to an intensifying Hurricane Hanna. NOAA hurricane hunters have been flying through the storm all afternoon and found a pressure of 983 millibars and surface winds of around 80 mph. This makes Hanna a category one hurricane. Hurricane warnings are in effect for the southeast Bahamas, the Turks and Caicos Islands, and the Central Bahamas. Hanna is expected to slowly move over the next few days then begin a sharp northwestward turn towards the US is expected as we head in towards the weekend. The official track brings Hanna onshore near Georgia or South Carolina on Friday. However, we urge all residents from Florida to North Carolina to monitor the progress of this hurricane. Upper level winds aren’t expected to be that favorable for significant strengthening in the near term, but the main threat right now for the east coast is going to be high waves and the threat of rip currents. Be careful if venturing into the ocean on your vacations to the coast.

Do I dare say that another low pressure area has formed off the west coast of Africa. This system shows signs of organization, and yes – we will probably be looking at yet another tropical depression late tonight or on Tuesday. Stay tuned to Youngstown WeatherWATCH for the latest on this extremely busy Tropical Atlantic Ocean.

Gustav Now Not the Only Hurricane

Hurricane Gustav certainly wasn’t the only tropical cyclone in the Atlantic Basin, but now it’s not the only hurricane. Hurricane Hunters flying through Tropical Storm Hanna has found that the storm has intensified into a hurricane. Hurricane Hanna has now formed and hurricane warnings are in effect for the Central and southern Bahamas. The hurricane is expected to make landfall along the east coast of the US late in the week. Meanwhile a new tropical depression has formed 1475 miles east of the Lesser Antilles and will move westward the next week. The next name on the list is Ike.

Gustav Onshore

For live reports of the destruction caused by Hurricane Gustav, all news stations are reporting from the field. Reports from New Orleans show that some water is making its way over the levees. Wind gusts to over 70 mph have been reported as far east as Gulfport, MS and places such as Huoma, LA can’t even report any more because the winds were too high. The worst of the storm will be now through 1pm as the eye wall makes it farther onshore. At landfall around 10:30 am at Cocodrie, LA with winds of 110 mph making it a category 2 hurricane.

Gustav Making Landfall

After days of forecasting and watching Hurricane Gustav, the eye of the storm is now about 80 miles south of New Orleans, LA which has reported winds of strong tropical storm force with gusts to hurricane force. Grande Isle, LA has just reported a wind gust to near 83 mph. The storm has shifted a little westward, so from a storm surge perspective, it won’t be as bad as it could have been because the angle won’t bring in as much water. However, surges near 10 feet are possible right where the center comes onshore. Waves of 6 to 8 feet are expected along Louisiana’s coastline, with waves as high as 18 feet possible. There were actually 20 ft waves reported early this morning. The worst of the storm will be now through noon Eastern time.

Gustav Landfall Within 12 Hours

Hurricane Gustav is now about 200 miles away from the US mainland and will be making landfall around midday Monday. Hurricane warnings are in effect from High Island, TX to the Florida/Alabama border. Persons who are in the hurricane warning area should finish everything they need to protect their belongings and their safety NOW. This storm is extremely dangerous. As of 11 pm, winds remained near 115 mph and the pressure was 954 millibars. While there is about 12 hours of opportunity for Gustav to strengthen, it will probably be about the same intensity or just a little higher at landfall. New Orleans will be in the right-front quadrant of the storm, which typically has the highest storm surge. If the storm surge goes right into the city, it could be awful news.

According to the National Hurricane Center, the storm surge is expected to be 10 to 14 feet to the east of where the storm makes landfall. Hurricane force winds extend outward 70 miles from the center, and tropical storm force winds 220 miles. At 1am, New Orleans reported wind gusts to 33 mph and the storm is over 200 miles away. For those of you who made it out of harms way, good job! For those who stayed in your homes, hunker down because the worst of the storm will be tomorrow morning. Stay with Youngstown WeatherWATCH and local TV news media for the latest on the landfall of this deadly and dangerous hurricane.