HIRT and HLP success

[hurricanetrack]

Well, we did it. We set out to place our venerable Isuzu Rodeo- which has gotten HIRT through such hurricanes as Dennis, Floyd, Irene, Gustav, Isidore, Lili and many more tropical storms- in to the path of a monster hurricane. That project was a success during Ivan.

We put the vehicle with its weather gear and four video cameras mounted on it- near the Main Pavilion along the Gulf Shores beachfront. We anchored it down with the stobs on all four sides and left it for Ivan to do with as it pleased. We found the Isuzu some 500 feet from where we left it- stobs torn out and the vehicle a total loss. However! All of the data equipment survived- as did all of the video cameras. We will have some of the most extraordinary video and data ever collected from a hurricane. Even while the Isuzu was under 10 feet of water, it was still recroding wind speed, barometer, etc. from the mini-tower and mast that stuck up about 5 feet out of the surge.

The lowest pressure we recorded was 947 millibars during the eye.

I have no idea what the Isuzu "saw"- but its journey from the ocean to the old amusement park must have been spectacular. Right now it is on a flat-bed headed back to North Carolina where I will decide what to do with it. Just wait until you see the images of it and from it.

Gulf Shores was great to HIRT. Their police dept bent over backwards to help us pull this off. The entire police/fire/rescue needs a medal for their un-relenting dedication to their community and to us. Together- we made a little piece of history.

I will be producing a DVD later this fall of the entire HIRT season. You will not find a more complete chronology of every landfalling storm/hurricane than what I am putting together. I have been through Alex, Bonnie, Charley, Frances, Gaston and now Ivan. We will have video and data, plus our own post-analysis of what we went through- all on one DVD.

Stay tuned.

Mark Sudduth
HIRT
HurricaneTrack.com

[Matthew5]

What was the highest wind gust?

[mobilebay]

Well, we did it. We set out to place our venerable Isuzu Rodeo- which has gotten HIRT through such hurricanes as Dennis, Floyd, Irene, Gustav, Isidore, Lili and many more tropical storms- in to the path of a monster hurricane. That project was a success during Ivan.

We put the vehicle with its weather gear and four video cameras mounted on it- near the Main Pavilion along the Gulf Shores beachfront. We anchored it down with the stobs on all four sides and left it for Ivan to do with as it pleased. We found the Isuzu some 500 feet from where we left it- stobs torn out and the vehicle a total loss. However! All of the data equipment survived- as did all of the video cameras. We will have some of the most extraordinary video and data ever collected from a hurricane. Even while the Isuzu was under 10 feet of water, it was still recroding wind speed, barometer, etc. from the mini-tower and mast that stuck up about 5 feet out of the surge.

The lowest pressure we recorded was 947 millibars during the eye.

I have no idea what the Isuzu "saw"- but its journey from the ocean to the old amusement park must have been spectacular. Right now it is on a flat-bed headed back to North Carolina where I will decide what to do with it. Just wait until you see the images of it and from it.

Gulf Shores was great to HIRT. Their police dept bent over backwards to help us pull this off. The entire police/fire/rescue needs a medal for their un-relenting dedication to their community and to us. Together- we made a little piece of history.

I will be producing a DVD later this fall of the entire HIRT season. You will not find a more complete chronology of every landfalling storm/hurricane than what I am putting together. I have been through Alex, Bonnie, Charley, Frances, Gaston and now Ivan. We will have video and data, plus our own post-analysis of what we went through- all on one DVD.

Stay tuned.

Mark Sudduth
HIRT
HurricaneTrack.com

Yea I seen a picture of you walking around the debris. It was on Al.com.

[panichead4469]

i think this is truly amazing, can't wait to see what it finds!

[weatherlover427]

I am gonna have to buy that DVD.

Great job Mark and crew! You guys should be proud of yourselves.

[James]

Well done! You've done a great job this summer!

[tracyswfla]

Mark did you hear hirt mentioned on CNN Larry King Live on Thursday?

Tracy
http://www.pediatric-orthopedic-foundation.org

[Aquawind]

Wow..That should be an awesome DVD.. I saw those massive straps and to think the SUV was still moved so far is incredible..Some great Storm Surge video I hope..

So is the SUV still covered under an insurance plan?..lol