Back from the Dark

[fci]

Well, power came on tonight at 8:10 PM after 2 1/2 days!

We experienced a whole lot more storm than I ever expected with a pounding from the East followed by one from the Northwest.

Not a whole lot of rain but enough wind to destroy our 2 story pool enclosure.
Lots of shingles and our front porch chandelier.

Many pool enclosures have been destroyed, along with trees and a lot of roof damage. Of course, signal lights are gone most everywhere and mobile homes are also heavily damaged.

The eye passed here for about 45 minutes or so and the media told us that the back part would be weaker. The cold front apparently enhanced the Northwest winds as the back part was probably about as fierce but lasted a shorter time as Wilma raced away.

Amazingly, the eye covered about all of Palm Beach county at one time. We live in a huge county so the eye size was truly startling.

On a personal note, I enjoyed the crow that I deserved on the gas grill as I thought that the storm would be a lot weaker. Never did I really expect a Cat 2 on the east coast even though Derek and others predicted it.

I just want to thank S2K, especially Jay (Nexrad), Don Sutherland and Derek Ortt for their information prior to the storm. Jay took the time to answer questions on the board and Derek nailed it on the nose once again.

This is an extraordinary site and invaluable to me and my family.

We are thankful that we are all safe with a good roof over our heads (although with quite a few less shingles than before).

Good to be back!!

[dhweather]

2 1/2 days - that's all? I was 2 1/2 weeks!

welcome back!

[gatorcane]

it's been determined that Palm Beach experience only a strong CAT 1.

Wait until that CAT 4 or CAT 5 hits.

[fasterdisaster]

it's been determined that Palm Beach experience only a strong CAT 1.

Wait until that CAT 4 or CAT 5 hits.

Where do you get that info? It was a Cat 2 going over PB.

[gatorcane]

there were CAT 2 gusts but strong CAT 1 sustained. Strong CAT 1 winds will produce the kind of damage that we've seen. It was a CAT 2/3 when it came into SW FL but the CAT 3 winds were over the Everglades where nobody lives.