Hurricane Intercepts

[NCn8ochaser]

Just as an introduction of myself, my name is John Mullen, I'm the team leader of North Carolina Storm Chasers - Team 2. I've been chasing for about 3 years now, so I am far from a veteran chaser. I'm planning on doing a hurricane intercept along the East Coast for data acquisition as well as photography (still, and video). Here's my basic vehicle setup for the intercept (if there actually is one this season.). Hopefully Helene will put out because Florence was just a big tease. But anyways, here's what I can think of off the top of my head.

2000 Nissan Frontier 4x4
Optics:
Nikon N70
Genius DV1110
Sharp 8mm
Lorex IR Camera w/ Monitor & VHS-C Recorder
(Lorex is mounted on roof w/ weather platform)
Safety:
Firefighting turnout gear
Firefighting helmet, gloves, boots, etc....
Strobes (Firefighting)
Flashlights and etc. etc. etc.
Data:
Dell Inspiron 1150 w/ XP Professional and Wi-Fi
Magellan 316 GPS
SwiftWx w/ GPS (See above)
Digital Wireless Wx System
Anemometer, Hydrometer, Barometer, Thermometer,
and Rain Gauge
(Wx Platform is mounted on roof of truck)
Data Acquisition Software for Wx Platform



Anyways, this is basically what I have on the truck for CHASE purposes. Minus the food, water, etc.... now, my question...


Does ANYBODY have any advice for hurricane intercepts? As long as you're not being a smart ass I'd love to hear from you.

Thanks a lot guys. Any tips/info would be GREATLY appreciated.

[TheShrimper]

yeh, stay in a sheltered area while living your quest, and don't eat yellow snow.Sounds like you have a good set up, but i would also include a 12 pack of Bud.

[NCn8ochaser]

i would also include a 12 pack of Bud.

hahahaha, yeah, that one came up before and i had to tell everybody that'd have to wait 'til we made it back in one piece. THEN we can party because hell, we made it back out alive. lol

[TheShrimper]

What's this waiting crap? If it wasn't for the Bud, you may not make it back in one piece.

[NCn8ochaser]

lol, yeah, I guess I would be 10 feet tall and indestructable... hmmm....

[Pebbles]

We got a few different people that do intercept hurricanes that could probably give you some good advice on how to not get yourself killed (name of the game right ) and possibly some other pointers. Take a look around and I'm sure you'll pick up on who they are.

I don't know if it's your intention or not but I know there has been a time or two when people have decided it's much safer (after being in something nasty) to drop gear to get the info and pics they want and get outta dodge to a more secure location.

What ever you decide to do, stay safe! and... Welcome to Storm2k.

[StormScanWx]

"Does ANYBODY have any advice for hurricane intercepts?"
NCn8ochaser,

Have you ever looked at GRLevelX products?

http://www.grlevelx.com

[WindRunner]

"Does ANYBODY have any advice for hurricane intercepts?"
NCn8ochaser,

Have you ever looked at GRLevelX products?

http://www.grlevelx.com

GRLevel3 combined with an AllisonHouse subscription (http://www.allisonhouse.com)creates an amazing chasing tool, for both severe and tropical weather.

[brunota2003]

well...I techinically dont chase them...its always the other way around... I have a Davis Weather Monitor II, its wired, and an RM Young Anemometer, which at this time doesnt work as the wire was cut to remove it from the Hurricane Landfall Project Isuzu Rodeo (yea...how many of you guys remember that vehicle? ) My advice...dont get in the way of emergency crews, stay in a safe location, (i.e. dont go into an area that has been evacuated without permission) and please listen to the local emergency departments...(I know, seems like common sense...but there are people who dont realize that...just making sure )
EDIT: and Grlevel3 is awesome BTW For my wx station, I have Virtual Weather Station...
and BTW...welcome from another NC'er...Eastern NC at that

[Stormhunter27]

Well, I've been through three hurricane intercepts so far and my one piece of advice is this:

Find someone who's experienced and go with them. DO NOT GO ALONE.

Can't stress that enough.

I see you've been chasing for a few years (on the Plains?) so that's good. I can explain a bit more - just email me privately: stormhunter27@gmail.com and I'll give you my experiences.

M

[thunderchief]

bring enough gas to get you from an undamaged region to the storm, back, with enough for scouting 100 miles of coast(find a steel/concrete building every 20 miles or so), enough to then reposition at the last minute to catch the right-side eyewall, enough to idle for 48 hours to run your AC(its just a little humid in a TC), and then add another tank or 2 just to be careful. My car had a 1200 mile range. You can never have too much gas when all the gas stations for a couple hundred miles are abandoned...

NEVER cross a bridge unless you are absolutly 100% sure its still there. likewise dont choose a position near large trees, and try to stay near roads that are likely to not be entirely blocked(interstates cannot be closed by any 1 tree for example)

bring enough food and water for a long time, replacement tires or fix a flat, a replacement battery, etc.

cops like to harass chasers over "curfue violations", so try to stay under their radar.

Drive slow durring and after the event. The debris covering the road is less likely to punch a tire and you will be sleep deprived and barely thinking.