Gale force winds arrive in Tallahassee

[Storminole]

It's been a long time since I've seen trees move like this. Since Kate on November 21, 1985, to be exact--the latest landfalling (USA) hurricane ever. I'm now seeing flashes and bangs from transformers being shorted out by falling trees. Piece of oak tree are landing on my roof...and this storm is just beginning.

Tallahassee's hilly, forested environment unfortunately equals a vulnerability to windstorms, especially since we haven't had a "pruning" of weaker trees and limbs in nearly 20 years. The highests gusts during Kate only reached around 65 mph, yet left Tallahassee looking like a war zone from scores of fallen trees.

A word to the wise is to look where your car is parked relative to trees overhead and in the direction of the wind. Pine trees grow tall here and are readily toppled by high winds.

There has been a subtle shift in the wind direction....from ENE to a bit more easterly--suggesting a westward movement of the center relative my position. I have to marvel at the size of the wind field of this storm. For a tropical storm, it's just huge--apparently extending well into southern Georgia.

http://www.boatus.com/hurricanes/hurricane_field.asp

Folks downstate have been dealing with this storm for 36 hours. Now in the Panhandle, it's our turn. As Han Solo said in Star Wars, "Here's where the fun begins...."

[JMGNole]

Where are you in town? We're out on WW Kelly.

Pretty gusty, still mostly from the NE, and about 4-5 brown-out flickers since dark that lasted about 10 seconds each.

I'm ready for this to be over.

[Storminole]

Located just NE of downtown, on a hill. The trees here may be catching more wind as a result. The wind does come in surges and waves, with calm in between.