Tropical Storm Fay: Over-reaction

August 18, 2008 by T Love.

note: some sarcasm

Its freaking tropical storm! There is sooo much coverage on Fay down here, it ridiculous. I have ceased watching any weather reports down here since Saturday. You would think that with all the coverage, a cat 3 was hitting the coast. All the hype and coverage reminds me alot of the first 1″ snowfall in Chicago. Whippeeee dooda.  To put this in perspective, Chicago has experienced similar wind conditions from strong Low pressure systems. There is more rain associated with tropical systems, but this is Florida. Florida thunderstorms drop alot of rain on a daily basis. Whiiiippppeee dooooda.

I now live in Daytona (formerly West Palm Beach) and my apt complex leasing office (the parent company) issued a memo to all residents stating that “there is a serious threat to our area from Tropical Storm Fay”…and we will close the office till Wednesday when it is safe.  My thoughts - Oh please.

I am sooo glad Fay has not and hope it doesnt, reach Hurricane status. Reaching hurricane status, to me, would just justify all the coverage and over-reaction (especially on the east coast counties) for the media. If your west coast or west-central, well thats a different story and safety should be a top priority. Granted, the tornado threat increases.

At the peak of the storm, Key West experience sustained 30kt, Peak 44kt - approx. My thoughts: not very exciting, but you would never know that from the media. Naples, FL is 23kts gusting to 29kts. Fay will be very close to Naples in the next few hours.

Comparing Tropical storms & Frequent midwest strong low pressure systems (generally speaking)

- Both can deliver sustained winds of 20-50kts for 12-36 hours
- Rain for TS and for the midwest - rain, sleet, or snow.
- In Florida, garbage collection ceases, schools close, buisnesses board up - In midwest, unless there is a forecast for 6″+ of snow…life goes on.

Cry me a river fever….
…row it!

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