11:45pm Wednesday: Updated Hurricane Note to Readers

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Somewhere from Corpus Christi to Mobile, it looks like a major hurricane is in the offing. The very latest data looks like the best chance of a landfall is over Louisiana or Mississippi sometime Sunday or Sunday night. Please see preparation suggestions at the bottom. 
Pay no attention to the colors or line thicknesses.
This just gives an idea of possible paths. 
Based on data coming in this evening, I believe it is safe to say the Texas coast from Corpus Christi, south is probably okay.

The National Hurricane Center will send out a Hurricane Hunter tomorrow to measure the atmosphere in the eastern Caribbean. With that data, the meteorological models and meteorologists can begin to narrow down on the eventual path. Here's the problem: if the system moves at the speed currently forecasted by the models, the first official forecasts will be released 4 days, or perhaps slightly less, before landfall. for some, that might not be adequate time to prepare. For that reason, I urge you to follow the forecasts here or from other reliable sources like the National Hurricane Center. 

The National Weather Service's routine rainfall amount forecast for the next seven days is for extreme amounts to fall with the tropical storm or hurricane. 
[Note also the heavy rain event forecast for the Upper Midwest]

What would I do now if I lived in the threatened area (Mid-Texas Coast to Alabama)?
  • Contact infirm friends or family in the region. Come up with a plan to protect them should they be placed in a hurricane warning (~24 hr before landfall). This especially applies if an evacuation is ordered. Don't wait until the last minute when rooms may all be reserved!
  • Make a hotel reservation well inland. However, make sure you can cancel it at no charge. If it turns out you don't need the room, be courteous the cancel the reservation. This way, you'll have a nice place to stay, if needed. It also frees up the shelters for people who cannot afford hotels.
  • Figure out what you can fit in your car in the way of irreplaceable items like scrapbooks and family heirlooms. 
  • Make sure you have at least three ways of receiving vital warning information. 
  • Prepare for power failures. If you have a generator, fill it with fuel. Do the same for your car. If you want a generator, have a professional install it.  
  • Get extra cash at the ATM.
That's it for now. I will update on this situation as things progress. Please make your friends aware of my blog along with my Twitter account @usweatherexpert.  

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