Anniversary of Hurricane Frederic along the Alabama Gulf Coa

[stormy70]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DN0qX1C5RC8

Hard to believe I was only 9 years old and in the 4th grade when Hurricane Frederic hit my hometown of Fairhope, AL. We were on the east side of the storm. I guess this is where my love for tracking hurricanes came from. Not that I wish any storm on anyone but the science behind the storms just amazed me. I remember the days before the storm, that night, and the days after like it was just yesterday. It is something that is etched in my mind forever. Not a fear but a memory. I guess I wasn't afraid because my parents never showed their fear of what was going on. They were so calm and made that night more like a party for myself and I instead of what was really going on. I can remember sitting in the hallway of our house with the lights out (we had hurricane laterns) and the radio telling what was going on. I think my parents were probably listening to wkrg.com radio version of the storm that night. We were playing cards with my aunt who was home from college that weekend. We had no idea what was going on. Except I do remember hearing the wind blow outside. It sounded like ghosts moving around in the night. The wild imagination of a child. I can remember hearing trees snapped in the night. Well I better go get my children from school! Enjoy the video on youtube. It is long but well worth the watch. Brings back memories.

[beoumont]

Chased Frederick from Miami. First got off highway and started towards a school/shelter in Theodore; winds gusting to hurricane force, in blinding rain, as several spiral bands passed over.

Sitting at a traffic light, a powerful gust tore loose most of a corner gas station and canopies, sending the whole structure sliding through the intersection ten feet in front of us. (Always obey those traffic laws, might save your life).

Ended up at another school north of Tillman's Corner. When running from car to building got swiftly knocked off my feet by 85 mph, or so, wind gust; landing abruptly on my tailbone.

Spent the hurricane in front of a school/shelter, at night and witnessed gusts over 130 mph, estimated. The two story tall warehouses across the street were made of sheet metal, and 100 ft. X 30 ft tall sections were swinging in the wind, held on at the top, and sometimes 60 degrees tilted upward.; creaking loudly, creating a thunderous shriek.

Several old men were out front of the building, holding what seemed like a prayer vigil, "singing" in unison as Frederick's winds howled thunderously: "Talk to me Frederick", these old men wailed as powerful gusts rocked the school building itself.

Turbine roof ventilator fans, like those pictured below, periodically tore loose and could be seen flying 100+ mph off into the distance, like passing flying saucers.



So happens the roof at the Theodore High School Gym we first started to, blew off; hundreds of evacuees left bare inside.


When the winds died down to under hurricane force, my chase partner, Jim Leonard, and myself went to sleep on the concrete floor of one of the hallways of the school; as hordes of young children frolicked here and there nearby; relieved they were still alive. Fun, fun, fun.