Hurricane Chasers

[Pileus]

Do we have any Hurricane chasers in Storm2k who live inland and drive
couple hundred miles or so to experience these storms ? I live close to
Charlotte, NC and this season Im driving to the coast if one is approachng
this time. Id like to know what kind of restrictions are put in place as far
as keeping people out and is it absolutely enforced ? I would appreciate
other suggestions. I'm Eric in Rock Hill, SC

[Anonymous]

Like I said in chat, I don't know of any storm chasers here at Storm2k. But you may want to watch the Caribbean disturbance. Once the system passes over Florida it does have a slight chance of moving up the coast. A track out to sea is more likely but the models will likely shift again.

[vbhoutex]

I chase if they are close enough to me on the N GOM coast.

I'm not sure what you are thinking about as far as chasing, but chasing a Hurricane is a very risky business unless you know a lot about them and how they work. It sounds fun and exciting and in fact can be and it can also scare the hell out of you and/or kill you if you are not extremely careful. You need to know somewhat the lay of the land in the area you are going to so you will know where you have to watch for storm surge. Of course many of the other possible problems are obvious. What authorities do as far as restricting access in the Carolinas I don't know. but there are always those that choose to stay and "ride out " the storm. Basically if you are there before evacuation is ordered or access to the area is closed they aren't going to carry you out against your will. They may ask you for a list of your next of kin though.

ABOVE ALL IF YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN ON A SERIOUS CHASE BEFORE AND ARE NOT WELL VERSED IN THE "WHIMS" OF A TROPICAL CYCLONE, YOU SHOULD NOT TRY IT!! IF YOU MUST, BE SURE YOU ARE GOING WITH SOMEONE WHO HAS THE PROPER CHASE EQUIPMENT AND EXPERIENCE.

[Guest]

Well like VB said alot of places have the same basic rules with evacuation................In DE or MD they do make all guests leave only way you stay in the towns along that coast is if you own the properity and or you are staying at someones house or condo you know................Most Hotels or motels go along with the evac order and make the guests leave.....................And law enforcement does go door to door and like VB said they will ask for a next of kin should you decide to stay....................Other then that i suggest you follow the advice of VBhoutex when you go chasing these awsome storms......................By the way i lived in both states at the coast and the same rules do apply and for that matter so does VA follow along the same guide lines.............I hope this helps.................

[ColdFront77]

Makes sense to me. If those that live and visit areas where a hurricane is threatening; I don't see why "hurricane chasers" would be allowed to come and stay to watch the storm.

[drezee]

I chase! Anything that hits from NJ to New Orleans, but not S FL. There is normally at least a hotel or two open for a weak cat 2 or below. When you get above 100 mph people get out of Dodge!
You have to:
1. Luck up on a Time Share
2. Ride it out in your car
3. come during almost the height of the storm when even the cops have left the bridges unattended

[deb_in_nc]

When stormchaser Warren Faidley went to Miami
for Andrew, he got there something like the day before the storm. He, along with a couple of other chasers, spent the night in one of those multi-storied concrete parking garages. I wouldn't do it.
I like breathing too much.

Debbie

[mf_dolphin]

Not my idea of fun either! I think I'll just hunker down and watch them go by! Just like a dog chasing cars, be careful what you chase! You might just catch it!

[Stormsfury]

For hurricane chasing in the Charleston Area ... do not go to the Isle of Palms, Sullivan's Island, or Folly Beach ... there's only one way to get there and Hugo cut that means off in 1989 ...

[Aslkahuna]

Jim Leonard and the other big hurricane chasers never seem to have any difficulty getting into the strike zone and going out and about during the storm.

Steve

[Stormsfury]

Jim Leonard and the other big hurricane chasers never seem to have any difficulty getting into the strike zone and going out and about during the storm.

Steve

Jim Leonard was here in Charleston during Hurricane Hugo ... He was on Savannah Hwy (U.S. Hwy 17) when he recorded a 934 mb pressure ...
In regards to the barrier islands, there was no one on the barrier islands ... The police dept for Sullivan's Island just made it off the barrier island before the Ben Sawyer Bridge (pictured above) upended ...

Jim Leonard, Warren Faidley, and Richard Horodner are the cream of the crop chasing hurricanes and their knowledge of extreme weather gives them an edge when it comes to positioning themselves to get 1) the right shots.... 2) as safe as possible, all things considering ...

[deb_in_nc]

Even Faidley almost got himself in trouble on his way to Brownsville where he thought Gilbert was going. The road he was traveling on started flooding out and the wind and rain were so bad he couldn't see. In case you're wondering how I know,
I have his book, "Storm Chaser".

Debbie

[Aslkahuna]

of Typhoons Omar and Yuri on Guam are legendary (the former contains the famous roof crashing to the ground next to them and the latter is the famous storm surge video).

Steve