Gulfport, MS conditions per Weather Channel

[melhow]

Taken from the Weather Channel blog:

An amazing phone call just aired on The Weather Channel a few minutes ago from Jim Cantore's producer, Simon Temperton. The two of them are at the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Gulfport, Miss. (current conditions), where they have sought refuge from rapidly rising floodwaters on the second floor along with 300-400 residents of the home.

Here's some of what Simon reported in his phone call:

"We're going through some unbelievable conditions. Water is seeping into the building. I'd say we've had at least a 20-feet [of] storm surge. It has washed away all our rental cars, and everything else [in the parking lot]...

"Now water is seeping into the home and they are evacuating everyone to the second floor. I'm standing in 5 or 6 inches of water [on the second floor]. The power is out. There are a few emergency lights. It's a very daunting prospect right now....

"It's a very dangerous situation. I've been doing this for 15 years, and [I've] been Mr. Cantore's producer for many hurricanes, and I've never seen anything like this. This is probably the scariest situation we've ever been in -- just the sudden rise of water and how fast. They said we were good here for 27, 30 feet [of storm surge] -- they've never seen anything like it. They thought we were completely safe.

"We're not even shooting [video] anymore. We're basically in self-preservation [mode] right now. We're helping people put up boards and sandbags to keep the water from coming in. We've become part of the crew.

"In the time we've been talking, the water has risen, I'd say, another 3 inches. It's up to the top of my boots. The water keeps rising."

-- Posted by Laurel, Product Manager, The Weather Channel Interactive

[cjrciadt]

Just watched. enormous storm surge in MS and AL. NOLA good fortunes means someone elses hell.

[caneseddy]

CNN reporting that Gulfport has 10 feet of water in its downtown with boats flowing up the street

According to the CNN reporter there, it is "essentially right now like hell on earth"

Also, Biloxi reporting roofs being ripped off by winds

[JtSmarts]

I've also heard that boats were slamming into buidlings.

[JtSmarts]

Wind gauge also broke in Gulfport.

[Stephanie]

Just watched. enormous storm surge in MS and AL. NOLA good fortunes means someone elses hell.

Yep! The right front quadrant is the most vicious.

TWC people must be so worried right now. I hope that they make it through alright. They seemed so safe and Jim Cantore was even saying how they were 27 feet above sea-level. Apparently, that didn't mean a darn thing!

[soney]

Just wondering if anymore heard from Jim Cantore and crew?

[JtSmarts]

Jim was just on and he is ok, he reported a 37 Foot surge. If that is true that would be the largest surge in US history!!!!!

[jburns]

Jim was just on and he is ok, he reported a 37 Foot surge. If that is true that would be the largest surge in US history!!!!!

Probably needs a change of pants. How many times will this run on Storm Stories?

[StormsAhead]

Jim was just on and he is ok, he reported a 37 Foot surge. If that is true that would be the largest surge in US history!!!!!

Highest by far, Camille had 24.2 feet, and the Galveston Hurricane of 1900 had 14.5 feet. But he was at 27 feet above MSL, with water 10 feet high.

[nequad]

I like Jim...I met him once when he came to my town to cover a certain hurricane a few years ago. He's a super cool dude..no doubt about it.

However...this was bound to happen to him eventually. You can't put yourself in harms way so many times without it coming back to bite you in the arse. I assume he'll make it...along with everyone else in that builing. I pray for their safety.

P.S. :

I hope he took out the insurance on the rental car!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[crazycajuncane]

Those weather personalities keep getting closer and closer to danger.