Hurricanes

Very calm water departure yesterday

It is easy to see how mariners before NOAA were easily caught by hurricanes. Such things have happened for centuries particularly, it seems to Spanish treasure ships along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. For instance, Earl is spinning a few hundred miles from here and we are sitting in nearly clear, hot weather. If one did not have a barometer or access to the news, one would most likely be on the beach or under a tree with a “cold one”. Seems that is what happened to Capt. La Salle and the La Belle just off Matagorda Island three hundred years ago. At fifteen miles per hour, one might easily go to bed in fairly clear conditions then wake to a furious ocean attempting to claim one more for the sea. As I sit here out of the sun, I am listening to the VHF and to boats arriving from “up north”. Some came by sea and some in the ditch but there will be many more boats on the Megadock tonight. The barometer is starting to make the downward move. The rate at which it “falls” gives an indication as to the proximity of the storms. Winds are not expected to be very high here in Charleston yet there are swells making it this far back in the harbor to give a gently roll to the boat. We have not seen winds above 15 knots for some time. Right now they are 16 and gusting. That is nothing for the lower Texas coast but unusual for this place since we have been here.

Looking toward the Folley Beach Bridge on the Ashely River from the Megadock

Locals are saying that we should feel little from Fiona and that should be the case as we will be on the west of the storm track. It should pass well to the east of us, unless something happens. I take little comfort from the forecast thinking back to Ike that came to Texas. It was headed right for Corpus Christi and just as we were making final preparations for the hit, it took a hard right turn and thumped Galveston/Houston. We are fueled, batteries full charged, and provisioned should we have to beat feet. Where to go is anyone’s guess.

Those on Cape Hatteras and the Outer Banks are in the cross hairs as is Cape Cod. Those folks rarely see storms from this direction. Given the sea surface temperatures in the Mid Atlantic, this may well not be the off season for them. As of this moment, we have watched Danielle pass, Fiona is coming as is Tropical Depression 9 soon to me Tropical Storm Gaston and right behind it is Invest 98. For now, it seems the Gulf Coast can relax a bit. Can anyone guess at the traffic jams from having to evacuate the mid and upper Atlantic coast line?

Might not be correct protocol but I couldn't help it.  Texans stop by almost every day.