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The Main Dock => TSBB General Talk => Topic started by: Frank B. on Sep 25, 2024, 07:04 AM

Title: Helene
Post by: Frank B. on Sep 25, 2024, 07:04 AM
When you have interests in areas that are often affected, the first thing you do every morning from June to November is bring up NOAA Hurricane and look for the little X's then follow them to their ultimate finish.  Helene very close to Mexico Beach, currently tracking to have MB be on the "pull" side so maybe ok,  Not goiing to affect my family members in OS or Riley thankfully.  Hope it doesn't track too much further East to drop it into Charles' world. One can only watch and wait and let the drama play out.  Oh and Captain Kidd, watch out for the potential for flooding.

Stay safe out there.
Title: Re: Helene
Post by: Doug SC on Sep 25, 2024, 09:03 AM
Having grown up in Florida with a WW2 pilot for a father, I learned at a young age how to track a storm on those paper hurricane maps. Now I use the My Radar and Windy apps as well as looking at the forecasted tracking models and satellite views. They have been predicting this potential outcome before it become an organized storm.

When Dad was 3 and the Miami hurricane of 1926 came ashore blowing most of the houses on his street down and flooding the area, their warning that day was the darkening skies and the radio reports of ships offshore. Times have really changed during his almost 101 years on this earth.
Title: Re: Helene
Post by: Ed on Sep 25, 2024, 09:08 AM
We are leaving North Georgia very early Friday morning for the drive to southern Indiana for my 50th High School Reunion, and it looks like we'll be in rain all the way.  I am supposed to run a small golf tournament at noon on Friday, now talking about switching to 10am on Saturday, but either way it's going to be a wet one.  On the bright side we have not had rain in weeks and they have started dumping water from Lake Allatoona, down 5ft so far. I did get the garden rototilled just in time.
Title: Re: Helene
Post by: Riley Smith on Sep 25, 2024, 11:08 AM
It's perfect here, although still hot at 80F @ 10am. Yes, the NHC and GOES East is my first stop every morning. This one appears to be the real deal.  It's much more concentric this morning. Forecast is for winds to pick up here from the north as it gets closer and sucks air toward it, but the temperature is supposed to go down and that'll be a big relief. It's times like this that I am so thankful that my boat fits inside my shop and that's one thing I don't have to deal with. I remember a storm sorta like this a few years ago. Turned into the worst camping outing I've ever had. From experience you can't trust a forecast with a hurricane on the loose. I'm fine unless the thing doesn't turn. Stranger things have happened. Watching closely.
Title: Re: Helene
Post by: Captain Kidd on Sep 25, 2024, 01:24 PM
Quote from: Ed on Sep 25, 2024, 09:08 AMWe are leaving North Georgia very early Friday morning for the drive to southern Indiana for my 50th High School Reunion, and it looks like we'll be in rain all the way.  I am supposed to run a small golf tournament at noon on Friday, now talking about switching to 10am on Saturday, but either way it's going to be a wet one.  On the bright side we have not had rain in weeks and they have started dumping water from Lake Allatoona, down 5ft so far. I did get the garden rototilled just in time.

Funny, this year marks our 50 anniversary of HS graduation though no reunion that I've heard of (we did have a 30th), and we're leaving N. GA Friday morning headed to S Indiana. Our 38 y.o. daughter lives in Bargersville just south of Indianapolis. She's running in her first marathon Saturday morning in Columbus, IN. I promised her I'd be there to cheer her on. She and a friend have been training for at least a year if not longer. They don't run for speed but to finish. Still a great accomplishment. They've done as much as 22 miles in training but have tapered off per training strategy in these last 3 weeks leading up to the race. At their pace, will take close to 5 hours. Five hours at any pace would kill me!!

Yep, I'm expecting a wet ride but they really don't want to run in the rain.
Title: Re: Helene
Post by: Frank B. on Sep 25, 2024, 03:12 PM
As a long term runner with the epitome event qualifying for and running Boston in 2012, I can offer some advice.  Running to finish and for fun is best.  If they have done 22 they are ready, the excitement of the day will get them the other four miles.  Just don't let that excitement entice them to go out too fast.  Never works, I know, have done it.

My wife and I would be having our 60th HS reunion this year and seems that it won't happen, maybe no one to organize it.  The class has a FB page but in recent years it is mostly used to announce who has passed away. 
Title: Re: Helene
Post by: Captain Kidd on Sep 25, 2024, 03:51 PM
Quote from: Frank B. on Sep 25, 2024, 03:12 PMAs a long term runner with the epitome event qualifying for and running Boston in 2012, I can offer some advice.  Running to finish and for fun is best.  If they have done 22 they are ready, the excitement of the day will get them the other four miles.  Just don't let that excitement entice them to go out too fast.  Never works, I know, have done it.

My wife and I would be having our 60th HS reunion this year and seems that it won't happen, maybe no one to organize it.  The class has a FB page but in recent years it is mostly used to announce who has passed away. 

Impressive!!!! and thanks for the tips.

This is actually a Boston qualifier though that is not their intention. They are, however, registered to run the Disney marathon in Orlando in January.

My daughter has done her due diligence in preparation and is following a regimen that I'm sure she's picked up from runners and research: so many miles a week, short distance, mid-distance and the occasional long run of around 20, proper diet prep and on-course nutrition and hydration. They participated in a half-marathon, the Indy Mini, back in May. It finished on the Indianapolis Speedway. They loved it!. She and her friend are ready.

Indy mini.jpg

My daughter is in the foreground and her friend in the pink. This was taken at the finish line.
Title: Re: Helene
Post by: rfrance0718 on Sep 25, 2024, 04:10 PM
I ran one. 2008 in Cincinnati.  It was early May but the weather thought that it was July. It was 90 degrees for the last 6 miles.I'd prefer rain.
Title: Re: Helene
Post by: Norm L. on Sep 25, 2024, 04:23 PM
Just back from my 65th reunion in Lorain. Twenty-four there out of 300+

I do follow NOAA wherever the storm is between Cabo Verde and Mexico. I read each discussion as they give more direct and accurate wording than your local TV. They have to warn everyone in their broadcast area the same.

But Francine's easing more east and falling apart into a monster rain event caught them. The eye passed over us if there had been an eye. This supposed to be eye was full of tears, about 8" in the back yard gauge.

All of you over there will be in my mind. We all understand. Frank, I was worried about you even on the edge.
Title: Re: Helene
Post by: Wayne Howard on Sep 25, 2024, 04:47 PM
Just drove in to Pensacola from central Texas to haul the boat for Helene. About 3 hours from P-cola, the marina calls us and cancels the hurricane haul out. Well, shoot. At least it's not like Sally who took a turn way too late for us to get the boat out of the water.

OK, the bottom paint needs to be redone so we came on in. Now scheduled for a Friday morning haul to get the bottom paint redone. And that might take a while.  Connie's last boss had a quote for any work that he had to do. "Work can be good, fast or cheap. Pick only two." It's a boat so I can throw cheap out the porthole right away.
Title: Re: Helene
Post by: Norm L. on Sep 26, 2024, 03:07 PM
for decades I've told customers with commercial equipment, you can spend time or money. Cheap and fast is going to end up being expensive. 
Title: Re: Helene
Post by: Noemi - Ensenada 20 on Sep 26, 2024, 06:35 PM
Quote from: Captain Kidd on Sep 25, 2024, 01:24 PMbut they really don't want to run in the rain.

When I was running, I preferred running in the rain.  But probably wouldn't have wanted to do that for 26 miles!
Title: Re: Helene
Post by: Noemi - Ensenada 20 on Sep 26, 2024, 06:38 PM
I went to my 50th HS reunion a few weeks ago.  It was nice to see some old friends.  I recognized way more of the women than the men.
Title: Re: Helene
Post by: Krusen on Sep 26, 2024, 07:25 PM
Reunions get sparse as we get older.  Class of 1952.

We  have not had a conventional reunion in over a decade, and the last "sorta reunion" was a combined one for the classes of 1950 to 1960.

There were about 24 there, most the later years.  I was the only '52, and the only one older snuck in under the decade specified, class of '48.  He found no one that he had known, neither did I, and we had an interesting visit.

I know one member of my class, who is local, but he had an important doctors appointment that prevented his attendance.  Three quarters of my class departed the Washington DC area when they graduated, for employment, so most who are still living are far away.
Title: Re: Helene
Post by: Riley Smith on Sep 27, 2024, 04:32 AM
My wife and I attended my 50th reunion that I wasn't going to attend but was convinced by my bud who bought tickets and couldn't go, so I went on his dime. I pretty much hated high school but there were some friends that I enjoyed seeing. However, we took a class picture and I was really proud of myself. I was the ONLY one without gray/white hair. WIN!!!!
Title: Re: Helene
Post by: Wolverine on Sep 27, 2024, 08:52 AM
Quote from: Riley Smith on Sep 27, 2024, 04:32 AMI was the ONLY one without gray/white hair. WIN!!!!

But, you have hair, right? 😉
Title: Re: Helene
Post by: Captain Kidd on Sep 27, 2024, 10:38 AM
Any word from CB? Guess we'll hear when he's able. Could be w/o power.
Title: Re: Helene
Post by: Krusen on Sep 27, 2024, 06:42 PM
Brennan has a generator...but they are like outboards, the love to fail when you need them.

The major part of the storm passed close to him, so there will be a lot of cleaning up to be done.

I hope that there is no house damage, and the boats are fine.
Title: Re: Helene
Post by: Wayne Howard on Sep 27, 2024, 07:47 PM
Here in Pensacola we got higher winds today than yesterday. No rain at all. My friends in Gulfport and Tarpon Springs came through with minimal damage. One of them lost some furniture even tho he had elevated it off the floor by a foot. Ended up with two feet in the apartment. His comment? "C'est la vie!"
Title: Re: Helene
Post by: Krusen on Sep 27, 2024, 08:06 PM
Attitude can be the difference between happy, or miserable.

Count the things that survived, then add that you survived, and life should be very good. :)
Title: Hurricane Helene Aftermath: SPARED!! . . . .
Post by: Charles Brennan on Sep 27, 2024, 09:01 PM
First things first!
The SCAMP MADE it!!  ;D
Norman Lasky correctly identified the weak point of my preparations, as heavy winds getting under the hull and lifting it; my concerns at the time, as well.
But come morning, it was just fine!  :)
20240927_083917 1024X768.jpg

But notice the slack on the lines on the left, versus how taut the straps are on the right.
I peeked underneath the hull and verified that the hull had moved roughly an inch and a half in the night; so those tie-downs were definitely the way to go.  8)
20240927_084914 1024X768.jpg

I also picked a good place to put Urchin and the vehicles; notice the lack of branches and leaf strippings, between the houses.
20240927_083946 1024X768.jpg

Back yard was not so fortunate.  :(  This is a private road in back of my house.  That tree is laying on my fence and broke a few boards; no biggie.
20240927_084228 1024X768.jpg

My side of the fence.
This damage is consistent with descriptions of Cat 3 wind damage.  (Downed trees, numerous broken limbs, extensive number of branches scattered and strewn.)
Helene may have come ashore as a CAT4, but by the time it went by us we were only experiencing CAT 2 winds. (75mph, gusts to 100+ mph, as measured in our neighborhood.)
20240927_115605 1024X768.jpg

Trashed the canvas pergola cover over the barbecue grill. Oh, well.
20240927_115530 1024X768.jpg

More downed branches and limbs.
20240927_145325 1024X768.jpg

We were without power for a total of 15 hours, but the last 6 hours we had this guy keeping things going.
Started on the first pull too, leading me to believe I used up all my luck for the rest of the year.
First time it was used (other than annual test runs) since we moved up here, nearly 8 years ago.  First purchased for Hurricane Wilma, back in 2005; another glowing Sea Foam additive testimonial! :).
20240927_120054 1024X768.jpg
Check the chain and padlock; a sad reality of suburban life.   >:(

And to think the neighbors couldn't understand  ???  why I would change out a perfectly good RV power port, for a generator connector.  It was obvious to me: I didn't have an RV, but I DID have a generator!!  ;D
20240927_120103 1024X768.jpg
Have to say, the City of Newberry does a sterling job of restoring power every time a whirly-girl harasses us.
Underground power utilities certainly helps.

We were fortunate to be spared, especially compared to our neighbors in Steinhatchee, Horse-Shoe Beach and Cedar Key.
But I have to say, it sure doesn't feel like it, when you're facing all that yard work!
Have the front yard cleared out and the brush stacked on the street for pickup; have to do the same with the back yard, tomorrow.
And then securing and putting everything away on Sunday, although I hear we might be facing this again NEXT weekend!!   :o

Charles Brennan
Title: Re: Helene
Post by: Frank B. on Sep 27, 2024, 09:32 PM
Hey, thanks for checking in, we were worried.  Glad your damage was yard work only.  Yard work instead of boat work, guess that is the price you pay sometimes for access to water.
Title: Re: Helene
Post by: Riley Smith on Sep 28, 2024, 11:04 AM
 I was worried about the height of the boat CB. I'm glad it is fine. My son is in Tifton, GA w/o power, although not any damage to house or car or bodies. That's great. He said to me, " Man, it's been so long since I've been through this, I'd forgotten how it was." I did see some pics of eastern TN where the run-off from the torrential rains had wrecked a lot of stuff. And of course FL, where the misery is spread pretty much to everyone. I'm happy to have missed any repercussions so far, although I still have a beachfront to clean up from Francine. I may wait until the season starts winding down. It's a pretty big job by hand and there are other irons in the fire. All the millionaires are just going to have to be patient. There might be one more mowing of the lawn but from indications, it seems this mowing season is coming to an end. Thank goodness.
Title: Re: Helene: Aftermath . . . .
Post by: Charles Brennan on Oct 01, 2024, 03:02 PM
How to go from this:
20240927_145322 1024X768.jpg

and this:
20240927_145325 1024X768.jpg

To THIS:  ;D
20241001_143631 1024X768.jpg

and THIS:  ;D
20241001_143650 1024X768.jpg
In only 4 short (back-breaking) days!!  :'(

Amazing, that all that mess and vegetative carnage could be reduced to such a small pile, after using shears, branch loppers and chain saws.
Also have the generator drained and oil changed, all the fuel replenished and stored in the fuel locker (fully half my fuel consumption was spent on power tools, cleaning up the yard) and basically everything hurricane related, all squared away.
Still to do:
Brush all the twigs and branches off carport and boat port roofs, and off the gutters around the house.

Meanwhile, I'm keeping a beady, jaundiced, eye on that "disturbance" out in the western Caribbean and hoping mightily, that I don't have to do this all over again, NEXT week!!  :'(
Disturbance.jpg

Charles Brennan
Title: Re: Helene
Post by: Wolverine on Oct 01, 2024, 06:33 PM
You finished that fast. Back breaking for sure. You earned a glass of your favorite beverage for sure.