General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWhy Hurricane Michael is a monster like no other
Even those jaded by hurricanes have never seen anything like this.
For the first time, a Category 4 hurricane is on track to slam the Florida Panhandle. And it's bringing an onslaught of deadly hazards.
"Unfortunately, this is a hurricane of the worst kind," said Brock Long, head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Here's what makes Hurricane Michael especially dangerous:
The Panhandle could see its strongest hurricane ever
Michael rapidly intensified to a Category 4 hurricane overnight. By Wednesday morning, it was hurling 145-mph winds.
Even scarier, Michael could get stronger before making landfall Wednesday afternoon.
The storm will likely bring "winds that are above typical building codes," Long said.
Hurricane Andrew in 1992 inspired tougher building codes in Florida. But many older houses aren't built to withstand a beast like Michael.
-more-
https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/topstories/why-hurricane-michael-is-a-monster-like-no-other/ar-BBOcefb?li=BBnb7Kz
BigmanPigman
(51,627 posts)MSNBC was saying that people live paycheck to paycheck and they pay their bills on the 1st of each month so by this date in the month they don't have enough "extra" money for a motel or a full tank of gas to be able to evacuate. One woman said a shelter wouldn't take her pets so she stayed.
With all the power down, roads blocked by phone poles and trees, and no cell phone servers working it will be a while before we see the extent of all the damage. It is the worst storm since 1851 to hit this area. This had great timing ...right after the UN Climate Change updated report said that it is worse than anticipated.
GusBob
(7,286 posts)Having been thru quite a few hurry-canes I can tell you that you hit some key points
1. Communication is vital. During Katrina lack of communication cost a lot of lives. During Rita in Houston better communication saved lives
2. People are stressed out financially and in many other ways: tired, hot, worried, sick, injured, scared, hungry, thirsty, buggy, wet and muggy. But financially is the worst. You don't work, you can't work, hell you may not have a job after all gets leveled. And no power means no credit cards you need cash.
FEMA better be on the ball
malaise
(269,157 posts)Last edited Wed Oct 10, 2018, 05:03 PM - Edit history (1)
They prepared for a Cat2. That seems very strange to me since we were citing references to Cat3 for two days and one DUer showed data that showed it could be Cat4.
I'm curious about that.
The pressure sure dropped fast.
BigmanPigman
(51,627 posts)It got really bad really fast! No one was prepared due to these factors.
MyOwnPeace
(16,937 posts)I'm sure IQ45 has Air Force One loaded with paper towels and ready to go - after the rally............