Fox6 in Birmingham: Projects 80mph winds in S/SW Bham

[PrincessTiger]

<heavy sigh>
Don't know about anyone else, but the thought of 50mph winds made me nervous.
Our met here locally just said 80mph winds as far as Jefferson County (Birmingham).

I'm getting really anxious now!

[JuliannaMKH]

Our mets here in Montgomery, AL are expecting 90 mph gusts. You're not the only one getting anxious.

[PrincessTiger]

It is scarey because the structures in this area (and yours) just aren't built, in my opinion, to withstand sustained winds of that force.
We don't do well up here with straightline winds, ya know?

Opal was bad and it didn't have near the force up this far, that they are projecting for us now.

Take care of you, Julianna!!!!!!

[BigO]

LOL...out of the frying pan into the fire.

I evac'ed from NOLA to my folks house in Tuscaloosa. Now, we're hunkering down for 60 mph winds here.

[Brent]

I'm about 2 1/2 hours southeast of Birmingham. It's still forecast to be a hurricane about 75 miles SW of Birmingham and those hurricane force gusts will likely occur in the evening hours. We're expecting 50-60 mph gusts here, maybe stronger, but I hope not. I'm pulling for a more west track closer to the MS line.

[NorthGaWeather]

Alabama deals with mother natures fury in the spring every year, a little hurricane should be easy to withstand compared to a tornado oubtreak ala April 98'.

[PrincessTiger]

NorthGaWeather:

I live within a mile of where the April 8th tornado hit and killed 25+ people.
It was bad, but it was a short event, timewise and the path was narrow in comparison to Ivan.
Tornadoes........we're used to.

This monster?
It's quite different.
Sustained HF & TSF winds for hours.......not like 200mph for 3 minutes.

Everyone here is taking this very seriously and oh so nervous!

[Josephine96]

During Charley I was scared about the Cat 1-2 winds here with the gusts near triple digits I'm sure.. and my place is built strong.. I can't imagine the anxiety you guys have now..

[NorthGaWeather]

Yes, and the Oak Grove tornado produced more damage (literally and dollar wise) and fatalities then this one will likely produce in Central Alabama. Tree damage is whats likely in Central Alabama not much structural damage. Trees falling on homes will be your biggest threat.

[Matthew5]

Look at this Buoy 272 mph winds! This is a cat6 or a very strong wind gust what ever! http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=42013

[bahamaswx]

woohoo 272kts sustained!

[NorthGaWeather]

I think this buoy is on drugs its had 272 kts sustained since 11 am.

[Brent]

272 knots?

Maybe it's not safe up here then.

[otowntiger]

During Charley I was scared about the Cat 1-2 winds here with the gusts near triple digits I'm sure.. and my place is built strong.. I can't imagine the anxiety you guys have now..

I'd say! 105 at the Orlando Airport. That was pretty spooky. Things crashing around outside, limbs and other debris hitting our windows and roof. The house which is well built was creaking like I've never heard. Trees down everywhere. Roof damage from straight line wind everywhere. Our neighborhood looked like a war zone. The county has estimated that enough debris will eventually be picked up in Orange Co. alone to fill the Citrus bowl! We were over 100 miles inland and Charley was a relatively small storm in area. He packed a good punch, though, this far inland because he intensified so much right at the end and moved over 20mph to get here. He had less time to weaken before he got here. That could be a good thing for Birminghama and Montgomery. If Ivan moves slow enough the winds will wind down before he gets there. The big problem will be rain. We had very little rain out of Charley because of that.

[JuliannaMKH]

Opal was bad. I lived slightly north & east of Montgomery when she blew through. I was in a 100 year old farmhouse surrounded by three elderly pecan trees. The house seemed to be swaying with every gust. Creeek, creeek. Not fun at all. But, Opal was over fairly quickly. This monster is going to be around for a day or so.

I'm not helping, am I?

Anyway, this house that we live in now is only five years old, so I'm hoping she does alright.