What S Florida Local Mets are saying Thread Rita

[wzrgirl1]

IMO it will be stronger than a Cat 1 this time around. Especially if it goes over 90 deg water.

agreed...it's starting to wrap around nicely.......eeeeeeeekkkkkk

[inotherwords]

If you don't think this deserves hourly updates by local media, then you are already jaded.

Yeah, this isn't much now, but people, especially in the Keys, need to know about it. Lots of people in mobile homes where they shouldn't be in a Cat 1 even. And since a lot of the Keys are going to be on the right side of this, storm surge could be an issue. Throw in track errors and intensity uncertainty, and this is no time for complacency IMO.

Of course, if everything goes as predicted, we'll get TS winds only.

It definitely deserves hourly updates by Keys media, and regular by Miami, but elsewhere it does not right now. Central FL does not need hourly updates on this storm, that's what I was commenting on. There's a big gray area between complacency and overreacting, those aren't the only two alternatives we have.

Just IMO. I'm not jaded, I'm a realist and a pragmatist.

I'll be crossing my fingers that you're spared and keeping an eye on the updates.

[HeatherAKC]

Remember....the only news stations in the Keys are the Miami stations. Hence, hourly updates. *If* a storm threatens an area way south of Miami, like Key West, we'll have extended coverage on the Miami stations......for them.

jkt21787 wrote:
You've got to be kidding me. Hourly updates already? The hype machine is ridiculous, and I bet even more ramped now thanks to Katrina.

[tracyswfla]

Remember....the only news stations in the Keys are the Miami stations. Hence, hourly updates. *If* a storm threatens an area way south of Miami, like Key West, we'll have extended coverage on the Miami stations......for them.

jkt21787 wrote:
You've got to be kidding me. Hourly updates already? The hype machine is ridiculous, and I bet even more ramped now thanks to Katrina.

Hi Heather~! Hope your watching!

[O Town]

If you don't think this deserves hourly updates by local media, then you are already jaded.

Yeah, this isn't much now, but people, especially in the Keys, need to know about it. Lots of people in mobile homes where they shouldn't be in a Cat 1 even. And since a lot of the Keys are going to be on the right side of this, storm surge could be an issue. Throw in track errors and intensity uncertainty, and this is no time for complacency IMO.

Of course, if everything goes as predicted, we'll get TS winds only.

Agreed. Much better to be overly updated and informed. Than to have those mets in New Orleans. I can't believe they are so clueless. You would think they would be all over the tropics after Katrina. Sad.

[jkt21787]

Nice to see a simple post of mine was heavily attacked by some

At the time of the posting, the storm was not even a depression and there were no watches. I just thought it was a little extreme to start doing updates until that had taken place.

Here in Memphis, that would be equivalent to doing updates 6 or 12 hours before a possible severe weather/tornado outbreak is expected to occur, before any watches or warnings were issued. Its senseless, because there is nothing to report that can't be reported during the already scheduled newscast.

In both situations, there is nothing "breaking" about the situation that deserves a cut in once an hour. When the hurricane watch or when the tornado watch is issued, then its fine to do that. Even when its classified as a depression down there since it is a substantial threat. Before that, its nothing but unwarranted hype. They were breaking in before they even knew it was a depression!

[Canelaw99]

But you know what's funny....there are watches up now, and I haven't seen anything on the major local networks yet Maybe I just missed it, but I've seen just the regular programming.

[HeatherAKC]

jkt21787 Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2005 12:34 pm Post subject:

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Nice to see a simple post of mine was heavily attacked by some

Harmless Heather here. My post was a total FYI for the people not familar with Sofla media. No harm intended. Heck, I couldn't even kill a spider crawling up the living room wall that my 3 year old was screaming about 2 minutes ago.

Peace.

[ChaserUK]

I only have CNN and Fox so watching Fox mostly at the moment over here (in fact have done 90% of the time since Kat). Anyway, Mandatory Evac now for the non residents of Monroe County, FL.

[tracyswfla]

jkt21787 Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2005 12:34 pm Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nice to see a simple post of mine was heavily attacked by some

Harmless Heather here. My post was a total FYI for the people not familar with Sofla media. No harm intended. Heck, I couldn't even kill a spider crawling up the living room wall that my 3 year old was screaming about 2 minutes ago.

Peace.

YES YES totally harmless Heather!

[Canelaw99]

Where did ya see that Chaser?

[FloridaDiver]

You've got to be kidding me. Hourly updates already? The hype machine is ridiculous, and I bet even more ramped now thanks to Katrina.

For us here in florida, yes hourly updates are needed,
Im sure you would want them if they came close to your home town.

I disagree, as a Native Floridian and one who has lived through many storms, the “hype machine” that kicks in every time a puff of clouds shows up close to South Florida is very embarrassing. I’m not suggesting that TD18 is something to ignore,, but updates every hour on a tropical depression? Even the NHC doesn’t give hourly updates on systems of this type! Just saw one of those hourly updates or teasers, “the latest news is nothing more than a silly repeat from the last hour; “We need to watch this one…” only a moron would think otherwise with a developing system so close, a real informative update!

[Ground_Zero_92]

You've got to be kidding me. Hourly updates already? The hype machine is ridiculous, and I bet even more ramped now thanks to Katrina.

For us here in florida, yes hourly updates are needed,
Im sure you would want them if they came close to your home town.

I disagree, as a Native Floridian and one who has lived through many storms, the “hype machine” that kicks in every time a puff of clouds shows up close to South Florida is very embarrassing. I’m not suggesting that TD18 is something to ignore,, but updates every hour on a tropical depression? Even the NHC doesn’t give hourly updates on systems of this type! Just saw one of those hourly updates or teasers, “the latest news is nothing more than a silly repeat from the last hour; “We need to watch this one…” only a moron would think otherwise with a developing system so close, a real informative update!

First off, the media has not been hyping this system to date. The general feel on all the local stations is to keep an eye on this developing system.

I do feel that hourly 1-2 minute updates are good. They are good for the general population who is not as informed as us here. They tell the grandma who is watching a TV show that there is a system that may effect us. Most people are not as information connected as we are. If a 1 minute hourly update comes on for a system that has the potential to come in as a cat 1 or possibly 2 hurricane in 2 days, let it be. In the long run that one minute probably made many people become aware and make sure thier preprerations are in order. And that is never a bad thing.

[ChaserUK]

Where did ya see that Chaser?

It was on Fox about 30 minutes ago. They even had a local official on the phone so it is confirmed I guess.

[Canelaw99]

Just wondering if it was all of the Keys, or just the lower portion...haven't heard anything yet - how sad is that?

[wzrgirl1]

Just wondering if it was all of the Keys, or just the lower portion...haven't heard anything yet - how sad is that?

I think all of the Keys are under a Hurricane Watch if I am not mistaken.

[Trader Ron]

Interesting that they have a watch for Northwest Bahamas. Anyone think watches will be issued for mainland South Florida?

[Canelaw99]

Yes they are, but I was wanting an update on the mandatory non-resident evacs....last I'd heard they were going to start with just the lower Keys, but not sure if they extended it for all of them or not.

EDIT: Ron, I wouldn't be surprised to see some issued for Miami-dade and points west, especially if the center has reformed slightly north as hinted in the 11am discussion.

[wzrgirl1]

Interesting that they have a watch for Northwest Bahamas. Anyone think watches will be issued for mainland South Florida?

I do traderron....thinking most likely for miami/dade possibly at 5

[RichG]

I used to think the hype of the south florida news over every tropical system was overdone but I think upon reflection of the lack of information the people in la seemed to have I will take the hype every time. As someone here already mentioned not eveyone has internet access or even watches the local news so too much information is now fine by me.