Tag Archives: storm

Gustav and Hanna Looking for a Place to Land

August 29, 2008 – 4:55 am

These two storms look like they could really do some damage once they reach the U.S. coast.  Right now both are predicted to reach hurricane status over the weekend and then hurricane Gustav looks like it will go to the Louisiana side and hurricane Hanna the Florida side. Sorry no photography posted other than the hurricane graphic, I will get back to posting some images soon.

projected path of gustov and hanna

On an interesting note.  I work with domain information and registrations and often buy domains for my personal or business use.  Did you know that all hurricane domain names have been purchased by speculators through the end of the current hurricane name cycle. Right now, hurricane names are release up to the 2013 hurricane season.  If you take that list and look at some of the unique names on the list, then compare them to registered domain names (like hurricanenestor.com), you can systematically go through the list and see they are already reserved as far out as 2013.

Domain names are the last relestate frontier, and most are worthless, unless you actually want to use one for your name, business, or product.  Some Karen out there might be a windy kind of gal and want the domain hurricanekaren, but your name is on the list for 2013, so sorry, you missed that one.

By Scott Fillmer | Posted in Journal, Media | Also tagged , , | Comments (1)

An Alabama Drought Says, Thanks for the Rain Fay

August 24, 2008 – 1:06 pm

Tropical Storm Fay made its way across our corner of Alabama yesterday and last night, bringing some great rain to a drought area. Tornado warning after warning came and went, but the most we got here is a good solid day of soaking and some wind. A great day to stay inside and watch the weather.

Tropical Storm Fay Hits Auburn

Taken during heavy gusts and rain out the back door of our house.

By Scott Fillmer | Posted in Journal | Also tagged , | Comments (0)

Should Auburn Prepare for Hurricane Fay?

August 19, 2008 – 10:38 am

Has anyone else here in the southeastern part of Alabama (namely Auburn-Opelika) been following the progress of tropical storm Fay? That’s us below, just about between the 8 on “8 AM Sun” and the “D”. Doesn’t actually look like it will reach hurricane strength now, but it keeps going back and forth.

I usually follow hurricane season via the National Hurricane Center from NOAA pretty close sine we have a small interest down in the gulf coast right now (our sailboat). It has been a while since Auburn was hit by a tropical storm, but they do get up this way once in a while, and we could really use the rain.

Tropical Storm Fay

This has been a crazy track to follow. First it was going into the Gulf, then up to Atlanta, then out to the Atlantic, now, the latest has it moving right over our area, just south of Auburn-Opelika? Not only does it seem to change by the hour, but it seems to be moving very very slow.

If it moves over the Auburn area, it isn’t going to be here until Sunday (right now). Earlier predictions were giving us some rain by Wednesday (tomorrow). I would be happy for it to wait until Sunday, I was planning on photographing the Auburn Woman’s Soccer on Friday against Grambling State. Seeing that it is the opening game of the season, I don’t think they want it called by a hurricane.

Here is hoping we get hit with a good soaking of rain, but after the woman finish playing soccer on Friday.

By Scott Fillmer | Posted in Journal | Also tagged , , , | Comments (1)

Hurricane Dean Has Been Upgraded to a Category 4

August 17, 2007 – 7:41 pm

Hurricane Dean 5 Day Track from NOAAHurricane Dean has now been upgraded to a category 4 hurricane and is headed for the Gulf of Mexico. Several amateur radio nets have now been activated, and all the net information can be found at http://www.hwn.org/

Dean looks like it will make landfall around Cozumel and then pass on into the gulf where it should strengthen again before hitting landfall somewhere around Brownsville, TX, according to the more recent forecasts from NOAA and the National Weather Service. Timing of this storm is interesting for the amateur radio crowd since this is the weekend for the large ARRL National Convention in Huntsville, AL. A large number of radio operators go to the Huntsville hamfest each year but this year a larger number will be making the trip because ARRL’s convention going on at the same time. Many hams I know in the Alabama gulf coast have already left the gulf area to go to Huntsville, but all will be keeping an eye on Dean this weekend from up north. 73, KI4WLR

By islandzephyr | Posted in Journal | Also tagged , , | Comments (0)

Hurricane Dean and Erin Now Active in the Gulf

August 16, 2007 – 6:58 am

Hurricane Dean in the GulfThe gulf now has a few storms, tropical storm Erin and hurricane Dean, the first hurricane of the 2007 Atlantic season. Dean looks like it will have plenty of time and water to strengthen into this weekend and it is projected to reach Mexico as a category 4 storm. You can see the current projections at The National Hurricane Center from NOAA.

Hams have long been a part of ECOMM (emergency communications) in times of bad weather, especially when hurricane Katrina hit. Some of the programs available for radio operators to get involved are RACES, ARES, SKYWARN, and several ARRL training classes and also the ICS from FEMA, and also MARS if you are a General license meet certain requirements, listed below.

  • Be 17 years of age or older
  • Be a U.S. citizen or resident alien
  • Possess a valid Amateur Radio license issued by the FCC
  • Possess a station capable of operating on MARS HF and/or VHF frequencies
  • Agree to accept strict monthly requirments for on-air participation

above as noted in QST September 2007 issue

Coming up in other posts I will expand on each of these and explain what training I plan to do or have done to be a prepared amateur radio operator in times of need. Your local club should have information on each of these programs and there are plenty of places to use your radio operating skills in an emergency. 73, KI4WLR

By islandzephyr | Posted in Journal | Also tagged , , | Comments (2)