"my" storm

[docjoe]

i have been reading with great interest the different threads debating what is essentially actual strength vs perceived strength in regards to recent storms (Katrina, Rita, Ivan, etc) and past storms (Camille, Carla, Andrew, etc). I find it very interesting that people seem to get very defensive about "their" storms. I wonder why it is that it is somehow important to have "your" storm to be as strong as possible even if this flies in the face of credible scientific data. Before anyone gives me a hard time about this I did the same thing with Ivan. For quite awhile I (and most everyone around here) would get all in a tizzy if anyone suggested that Ivan may not have been as strong as we thought. I suspect that in the face of tragedy it somehow boosts morale and the spirits to have faced and survived something of great magnitude instead of some lesser event. Any thoughts from other storm survivors out there???

docjoe

[hicksta]

Allison was a beast.

[timNms]

i have been reading with great interest the different threads debating what is essentially actual strength vs perceived strength in regards to recent storms (Katrina, Rita, Ivan, etc) and past storms (Camille, Carla, Andrew, etc). I find it very interesting that people seem to get very defensive about "their" storms. I wonder why it is that it is somehow important to have "your" storm to be as strong as possible even if this flies in the face of credible scientific data. Before anyone gives me a hard time about this I did the same thing with Ivan. For quite awhile I (and most everyone around here) would get all in a tizzy if anyone suggested that Ivan may not have been as strong as we thought. I suspect that in the face of tragedy it somehow boosts morale and the spirits to have faced and survived something of great magnitude instead of some lesser event. Any thoughts from other storm survivors out there???

docjoe

I think the thing that upsets many people is that sometimes opinions or experimental scientific data is presented on this board as the "gospel" when in fact, no final assessments have been made. It appears to victims that some may be trying to "underplay" the horror that many people suffer as a result of these storms. JMO

[docjoe]

i have been reading with great interest the different threads debating what is essentially actual strength vs perceived strength in regards to recent storms (Katrina, Rita, Ivan, etc) and past storms (Camille, Carla, Andrew, etc). I find it very interesting that people seem to get very defensive about "their" storms. I wonder why it is that it is somehow important to have "your" storm to be as strong as possible even if this flies in the face of credible scientific data. Before anyone gives me a hard time about this I did the same thing with Ivan. For quite awhile I (and most everyone around here) would get all in a tizzy if anyone suggested that Ivan may not have been as strong as we thought. I suspect that in the face of tragedy it somehow boosts morale and the spirits to have faced and survived something of great magnitude instead of some lesser event. Any thoughts from other storm survivors out there???

docjoe

I think the thing that upsets many people is that sometimes opinions or experimental scientific data is presented on this board as the "gospel" when in fact, no final assessments have been made. It appears to victims that some may be trying to "underplay" the horror that many people suffer as a result of these storms. JMO

While I respect your opinion I do not agree in total with it. Experimental or not measured data is going to be more specific and accurate than "eyeballed" data. Having said that I do feel that even if measured data is dead on accurate it does not mean that the lowest pressure or highest winds in a given storm were captured. Local geographic effects probably play a role as well. i dont feel that anyone on here is trying to downplay the storms and their effects. most people do not understand the power in a hurricane unless the live it themselves. However if the damage caused by Ivan and Katrina and similar storms is truly from Cat 3 storms( i am not going to debate SS here ) it is imperative to know this so the next time a Cat 3 comes ashore people dont stick around because they survived Ivan or Katrina....or Camille..etc.

docjoe

[timNms]

i have been reading with great interest the different threads debating what is essentially actual strength vs perceived strength in regards to recent storms (Katrina, Rita, Ivan, etc) and past storms (Camille, Carla, Andrew, etc). I find it very interesting that people seem to get very defensive about "their" storms. I wonder why it is that it is somehow important to have "your" storm to be as strong as possible even if this flies in the face of credible scientific data. Before anyone gives me a hard time about this I did the same thing with Ivan. For quite awhile I (and most everyone around here) would get all in a tizzy if anyone suggested that Ivan may not have been as strong as we thought. I suspect that in the face of tragedy it somehow boosts morale and the spirits to have faced and survived something of great magnitude instead of some lesser event. Any thoughts from other storm survivors out there???

docjoe

I think the thing that upsets many people is that sometimes opinions or experimental scientific data is presented on this board as the "gospel" when in fact, no final assessments have been made. It appears to victims that some may be trying to "underplay" the horror that many people suffer as a result of these storms. JMO

While I respect your opinion I do not agree in total with it. Experimental or not measured data is going to be more specific and accurate than "eyeballed" data. Having said that I do feel that even if measured data is dead on accurate it does not mean that the lowest pressure or highest winds in a given storm were captured. Local geographic effects probably play a role as well. i dont feel that anyone on here is trying to downplay the storms and their effects. most people do not understand the power in a hurricane unless the live it themselves. However if the damage caused by Ivan and Katrina and similar storms is truly from Cat 3 storms( i am not going to debate SS here ) it is imperative to know this so the next time a Cat 3 comes ashore people dont stick around because they survived Ivan or Katrina....or Camille..etc.

docjoe

Of course there are those who will argue that an AMS certified, former NOAA and NWS retired meteorologist doesn't have the expertise to determine that wind speed was at a certain level or surge height was at a certain height...
However, you and I agree. The bottom line is that each storm has its own characteristics...none of which should be taken lightly...whether it be a cat1 or a monster cat 5. Bottom line is expect and prepare for the worst...and LEAVE if you are within 10 miles of the coast

[jdray]

people react differently.

Last year Frances and Jeanne gave my area 30-50mph winds with higher gusts for about 3 days straight and spawned a tornado over my house. It was a fun few days, but we lost power for days, phone for a week.

My wife's aunt went through Ivan (and Dennis) just 45 minutes north of Pensacola. I spoke with her earlier this year when she came in town and we compared hurricane experiences. She stated that while Ivan was really strong (and spawned a tornado that took out all thier trees, damaged all thier cars), she would rather have the few hours of high winds versus days of sustained minor-decent winds that we had. I could not disagree more.

[rns2001]

One time, I told a guy Hurricane Ivan was a Category 6, just to shut him up.

It worked.

That still cracks me up.

[wxwatcher2]

people react differently.

Last year Frances and Jeanne gave my area 30-50mph winds with higher gusts for about 3 days straight and spawned a tornado over my house. It was a fun few days, but we lost power for days, phone for a week.

My wife's aunt went through Ivan (and Dennis) just 45 minutes north of Pensacola. I spoke with her earlier this year when she came in town and we compared hurricane experiences. She stated that while Ivan was really strong (and spawned a tornado that took out all thier trees, damaged all thier cars), she would rather have the few hours of high winds versus days of sustained minor-decent winds that we had. I could not disagree more.

Yes, what most of inland Florida experienced with Jeanne and Francis was little more than a breeze and some rain. Can't compare it to a direct hit by the likes of Ivan.
But in truth, we all have our opinions and your wife's aunt is welcome to hers don't you think?

[orchid]

people react differently.

Last year Frances and Jeanne gave my area 30-50mph winds with higher gusts for about 3 days straight and spawned a tornado over my house. It was a fun few days, but we lost power for days, phone for a week.

My wife's aunt went through Ivan (and Dennis) just 45 minutes north of Pensacola. I spoke with her earlier this year when she came in town and we compared hurricane experiences. She stated that while Ivan was really strong (and spawned a tornado that took out all thier trees, damaged all thier cars), she would rather have the few hours of high winds versus days of sustained minor-decent winds that we had. I could not disagree more.

I have benn through some storms but the only one that has made me cry was Frances I thougt I was having a panic attack just because she took so looooonnnnggg, so I can relate to your wife's aunt. I would rather get it over with!!!

[feederband]

people react differently.

Last year Frances and Jeanne gave my area 30-50mph winds with higher gusts for about 3 days straight and spawned a tornado over my house. It was a fun few days, but we lost power for days, phone for a week.

My wife's aunt went through Ivan (and Dennis) just 45 minutes north of Pensacola. I spoke with her earlier this year when she came in town and we compared hurricane experiences. She stated that while Ivan was really strong (and spawned a tornado that took out all thier trees, damaged all thier cars), she would rather have the few hours of high winds versus days of sustained minor-decent winds that we had. I could not disagree more.

Yes, what most of inland Florida experienced with Jeanne and Francis was little more than a breeze and some rain. Can't compare it to a direct hit by the likes of Ivan.
But in truth, we all have our opinions and your wife's aunt is welcome to hers don't you think?

No breeze here with Jeanne....Lakeland airport reported gusts over 100mph.. No power for 13 days.....Lots of roof and tree damage...Had to chainsaw fallen trees to get out of the area....

[GalvestonDuck]

Data is scientific, however, the experienced effects of a storm are personal.

No amount of data can convince someone that their experiences were wrong, overestimated, or not real.

Apples and oranges....

[sponger]

I think their is a huge difference between sustanined winds over 1 min and gusts that are 20-30% higher. Also, funneling of winds between houses increases perception. The truth is 100 mph sustained is a really bad day, but not even a major.

Andrew set the bar for wind damage which will likely never be exceeded by anthing other than another small compact strengthing storm.

[LSU2001]

Amen Duckie,
TIm

[vbhoutex]

Data is scientific, however, the experienced effects of a storm are personal.

No amount of data can convince someone that their experiences were wrong, overestimated, or not real.

Apples and oranges....

Well said!!!

And the discussions shouldn't be about "you are wrong and I am right because you didn't experience it and I did". BOTH sides of this discussion have a place in helping us all(scientists and lay presons)understand and come to conclusions about what has occurred and how we can better deal with these storms in the future.
Obviously, from reading these discussions, there is an ENORMOUS amount we all still need to learn about the dynamics of troical cyclones and how they "function".