Update on Hurricane Delta, 10am Tuesday

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Well, that didn't take long. Delta is now a Cat 4 with 130 mph winds. Pressure is now 954 millibars. Further strengthening is likely before the storm reaches the Yucatan Peninsula (10:20am).

--- original posting ---
This is a satellite image of Hurricane Delta as of 9:41am. The storm has a central pressure of 955 mb and maximum winds of 115 mph (Cat 3) which makes it a "major" hurricane. The storm is still intensifying. Delta is expected to be an extremely dangerous Cat 4 hurricane -- with 140 to 145 mph winds --  when it arrives on the Yucatan. My opinion: People in Cancun and Cozumel should evacuate coastal areas. 

Below is the National Hurricane Center's forecast.

M = major hurricane. H = hurricane. Red = hurricane warning. 

Please do not focus on the exact path at the time of landfall in the United States. It could occur anywhere in the white dotted area. The hurricane is still expected to be dangerous at that time with a serious storm surge. 

It is time to make precautions on the Louisiana coast as the new run of models indicates that is where the storm is currently headed. Safety Recommendations With COVID Factored In:

  • Make a hotel/motel reservation well inland. There is no point to getting on the road and finding everything already sold out. Be sure and cancel if you do not need the room. In this case, I would go west (e.g., Lake Charles, Beaumont) to stay away from both winds and flooding. 
  • Make provisions for infirm friends/relatives well in advance. 
  • Get prescriptions filled before you evacuate. 
  • Put an app like AccuWeather's on your smartphone. It will keep track of your location and automatically provide the latest emergency warnings. 
  • Your "Go-Kit" should include at least two masks per person, soap, hand sanitizers, disinfectant wipes and, if available, disinfectant spray. 
  • Fill your car with fuel. I still recommend a road atlas or map in addition to whatever navigation system you might have. 
  • Power failures are likely. If you have a generator, fill it with fuel. If you wish to purchase a portable generator, do not put it in the garage, indoors, or anywhere near an air intake. Carbon monoxide is a danger. Nearly half of the fatalities from Hurricane Laura were from carbon monoxide after the storm. 
  • Consider taking your passport or putting it in your safe deposit box. If the worst happens, you'll need it to prove identity for disaster documents. It will be difficult to recover in a ruined home.
  • Take at least two large bottles of water for each family member along with protein bars or other easy-to-carry food. 
  • If you decide to stay home, make sure you have a working fire extinguisher, non-electric can opener, and a first aid kit. 

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