HURR DENNIS Update -- UPDATE 430AM
UPDATE 430AM EDT: The latest Vortex Data Message from Air Force Hurricane Hunter Aircraft at 357AM EDT shows minimum pressure has continuted to drop quickly to 932mb. Maximum Sustained Winds are at 145mph with gusts to 178MPH.
I CANNOT stress enough how strong this storm is. As of right now it is as strong wind wise as Andrew was and is almost as close in central pressure. This is a massive devastating storm and may be one of the largest to hit the US Mainland in our lifetimes.
WKRG-CBS in Pensacola is reporting that local power companies in Florida and Alabama are warning that some communities could be without power for WEEKS. There are hundreds of power crews waiting in the wings to start repairing the damage.
I was looking at the most intense hurricanes to strike the US and this storm is up there. In terms of central pressure, this storm ties Hurricane Hugo in 1989 and just under Hurricane Andrew. THere is still time for Dennis to strengthen -- or weaken -- as it moves closer to shore and we will be watching this closely all morning for you.
If anyone reading this is in the Mobile / Biloxi / Pensacola area PLEASE GET OUT NOW. There is no reason that anyone should be anywhere near the ocean when this storm moves ashore. I cannot emphasize this enough. This is going to be a major disaster when the storm comes ashore.
Essentials from the latest advisory follows:
I CANNOT stress enough how strong this storm is. As of right now it is as strong wind wise as Andrew was and is almost as close in central pressure. This is a massive devastating storm and may be one of the largest to hit the US Mainland in our lifetimes.
WKRG-CBS in Pensacola is reporting that local power companies in Florida and Alabama are warning that some communities could be without power for WEEKS. There are hundreds of power crews waiting in the wings to start repairing the damage.
I was looking at the most intense hurricanes to strike the US and this storm is up there. In terms of central pressure, this storm ties Hurricane Hugo in 1989 and just under Hurricane Andrew. THere is still time for Dennis to strengthen -- or weaken -- as it moves closer to shore and we will be watching this closely all morning for you.
If anyone reading this is in the Mobile / Biloxi / Pensacola area PLEASE GET OUT NOW. There is no reason that anyone should be anywhere near the ocean when this storm moves ashore. I cannot emphasize this enough. This is going to be a major disaster when the storm comes ashore.
Essentials from the latest advisory follows:
REPORTS FROM AN AIR FORCE RESERVE HURRICANE HUNTER AIRCRAFT INDICATE THAT MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NOW NEAR 145 MPH... WITH HIGHER GUSTS. DENNIS IS A CATEGORY FOUR HURRICANE ON THE SAFFIR-SIMPSON SCALE. SOME FLUCTUATIONS IN STRENGTH ARE LIKELY BEFORE LANDFALL.
AN AIR FORCE HURRICANE HUNTER PLANE RECENTLY REPORTED A MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE OF 934 MB...27.58 INCHES.
STORM SURGE FLOODING OF 14 TO 17 FEET ABOVE NORMAL TIDE LEVELS... ACCOMPANIED BY LARGE AND DANGEROUS BATTERING WAVES... IS POSSIBLE NEAR AND TO THE EAST OF WHERE THE CENTER OF DENNIS CROSSES THE NORTHERN GULF COAST ON SUNDAY.
THE NEXT ADVISORY WILL BE ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER AT
4 AM CDT.
posted by Jordan Golson at 3:56 AM
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