You can never predict a storm this far away, but most of the computer models have it heading directly through northern Alabama.
http://www.weather.com/weather/hurricanecentral/
A storm will have lost a lot of energy after going that far inland, but is there any plan on if it goes to Huntsville? That'd be about a week before I show up, so I'm not so worried about my own experience, but what about the campers next week and weekend?
Tropical storm Issac
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p51
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Tropical storm Issac
Skidmark
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Read my mind...
We're booked for this coming weekend...I'm rather concerned about the flights etc. since I'm not a seasoned tropical storm traveller. Advice anyone? Is this something to worry about?
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p51
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Small world, ecchs. I too will be leaving for camp via SeaTac, but the following weekend as you!
The latest news shows the storm taking a NW spin, which is pretty common (I grew up in Tallahassee and we only ever got one big storm through there in my 28 years living there, almost all the others went West of us), if it takes that track you shouldn't have much to worry about. But once a storm hits land, it will sometimes make a Northeast hook for some reason. But by the weekend, it'll have done what it's going a few days to do before you go to Huntsville. I'm sure Space Camp has seen worse over the years (and I assume the rockets outside are well tethered for these kinds of winds?)
While these kinds of storms do lose power over land, they don't die right away. I was in NE Tennessee during the time that Katrina hit and rolled North. From the direction it took, it was breezy even where we were and you could see the really high clouds really moving North at an incredible clip. No way you couldn't taken an airliner into that! It carried massive winds, tearing up trees, damaging property and knocking out power as far as New York state, all the way across it's path until it left the US.
The latest news shows the storm taking a NW spin, which is pretty common (I grew up in Tallahassee and we only ever got one big storm through there in my 28 years living there, almost all the others went West of us), if it takes that track you shouldn't have much to worry about. But once a storm hits land, it will sometimes make a Northeast hook for some reason. But by the weekend, it'll have done what it's going a few days to do before you go to Huntsville. I'm sure Space Camp has seen worse over the years (and I assume the rockets outside are well tethered for these kinds of winds?)
While these kinds of storms do lose power over land, they don't die right away. I was in NE Tennessee during the time that Katrina hit and rolled North. From the direction it took, it was breezy even where we were and you could see the really high clouds really moving North at an incredible clip. No way you couldn't taken an airliner into that! It carried massive winds, tearing up trees, damaging property and knocking out power as far as New York state, all the way across it's path until it left the US.
Skidmark
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Ok from a seasoned tropical storm vet. alot will depend on how the storm makes landfall. I don't know what current predictions say. If its a tropical storm even hitting over the alabama mississippi coast you will likely get heavy rain, maybe some strong winds think on the level of a severe thunder storm infact i;ve seen stronger winds in some severe thunder storms then in tropical storms. If it makes land fall as a tropical storm it will lose alot of power as it moves north. Second best case scenarion compared to no hiut at all. There may be some airport delays with this as with any bad weather.
Medium scenarion Isaac makes land as a weak hurricane category 1 you will be end for extremely heavy rain likely high winds some gusting maybe even to huricane strenth but likely not sustained huricane winds. Remember hurricane force is 75 MPH even slightly below that is still pretty significant. Expect airport delays, expect possible flash flooding, and driving conditions are generally pretty hazardous but can be managed if you give yourself time patience and extra space.
Next worse case a category 2 hit or worse a 3. Again i dont know what the predictions are. With this even when it gets to northern alabama expect hurricane force winds likely in the cat 1 range, with same above problems. Your now dealing with sustained huricane force winds even at cat 1 these are dangerous.
Absolute worst case a Katrina or Andrew style storm in the cat 4 or 5 range at landfall. Don't even thank about it you assuming the storm keeps moving when it makes landfall depending on its speed of movement you can still expect significant huricane strenght potential in northern alabama. In this case camp i'm sure would close and other arangements made either refunds or rescheduling. Keep in mind Katrina was a stron 4 maybe 5 when it made landfall and kentucky recieved strong tropical storm conditions.
My advice keep an eye on the weather forecast call the camp if nessecary if its looking concerning see what plans they have in place. See what they can do. They deal more with tornados there than huricanes but they can stand up to gulf coast curricanes generally. The upside is other than flash flooding you dont have to worry about the normal huricane flooding but the high winds and flash flooding can be extremely dangerous. Also keep in mind a move from a tropical storm to a huricane or from one category to another is not a small move the force of the storm increases exponentialy with increase in category. I've been through 1 huricane and more tropical storms than i can count over the years they are not to be messed with be smart about it expect delays expect changes in plns if huntsville is affected at all the strength will determine alot.
Medium scenarion Isaac makes land as a weak hurricane category 1 you will be end for extremely heavy rain likely high winds some gusting maybe even to huricane strenth but likely not sustained huricane winds. Remember hurricane force is 75 MPH even slightly below that is still pretty significant. Expect airport delays, expect possible flash flooding, and driving conditions are generally pretty hazardous but can be managed if you give yourself time patience and extra space.
Next worse case a category 2 hit or worse a 3. Again i dont know what the predictions are. With this even when it gets to northern alabama expect hurricane force winds likely in the cat 1 range, with same above problems. Your now dealing with sustained huricane force winds even at cat 1 these are dangerous.
Absolute worst case a Katrina or Andrew style storm in the cat 4 or 5 range at landfall. Don't even thank about it you assuming the storm keeps moving when it makes landfall depending on its speed of movement you can still expect significant huricane strenght potential in northern alabama. In this case camp i'm sure would close and other arangements made either refunds or rescheduling. Keep in mind Katrina was a stron 4 maybe 5 when it made landfall and kentucky recieved strong tropical storm conditions.
My advice keep an eye on the weather forecast call the camp if nessecary if its looking concerning see what plans they have in place. See what they can do. They deal more with tornados there than huricanes but they can stand up to gulf coast curricanes generally. The upside is other than flash flooding you dont have to worry about the normal huricane flooding but the high winds and flash flooding can be extremely dangerous. Also keep in mind a move from a tropical storm to a huricane or from one category to another is not a small move the force of the storm increases exponentialy with increase in category. I've been through 1 huricane and more tropical storms than i can count over the years they are not to be messed with be smart about it expect delays expect changes in plns if huntsville is affected at all the strength will determine alot.
Jason original callsign Loverboy
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Adult Alumni Camp 2007
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spacemanpic
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Ecchs,
I'm just a few hours south of Huntsville in Montgomery, Alabama and we are expecting some wind (maybe 20MPH at most), T-storms and rain. Shouldn't be too bad for us down here or up at camp.
On the bright side it should knock a few degrees off the temperature for us.
BTW, we'll see you there as we are scheduled for Adult Camp this weekend as well.
-SpaceManPic
I'm just a few hours south of Huntsville in Montgomery, Alabama and we are expecting some wind (maybe 20MPH at most), T-storms and rain. Shouldn't be too bad for us down here or up at camp.
On the bright side it should knock a few degrees off the temperature for us.
BTW, we'll see you there as we are scheduled for Adult Camp this weekend as well.
-SpaceManPic
The info i gacve was more general. I have honestly not followed the storm's progress so i'd say sounds like your safe.
Jason original callsign Loverboy
SC 1991
SA Level 1 1993
AC Intermediate 1996
ASA 1998
Corporate Space Camp 2005
AC Counselor Summer 07 callsign Boomerang
Adult Alumni Camp 2007
Adult Alumni Camp 2008
Official Space Camp Ambassador
SC 1991
SA Level 1 1993
AC Intermediate 1996
ASA 1998
Corporate Space Camp 2005
AC Counselor Summer 07 callsign Boomerang
Adult Alumni Camp 2007
Adult Alumni Camp 2008
Official Space Camp Ambassador
I'm going to camp this weekend, too. 
From what I hear, the storm is a category 1 with the possibility of turning into a low category 2. The paths I've seen show it hitting Alabama, but not Huntsville straight on. So I'm expecting wind and rain when I fly in Thursday, but I'm thinking (hoping) it will be over some time that day.
If it helps at all, my airline has been posting alerts and cancelations on its website-- and although there are a ton for Florida and some for New Orleans, there have been none for Huntsville. I'm hoping that's a good sign.
From what I hear, the storm is a category 1 with the possibility of turning into a low category 2. The paths I've seen show it hitting Alabama, but not Huntsville straight on. So I'm expecting wind and rain when I fly in Thursday, but I'm thinking (hoping) it will be over some time that day. If it helps at all, my airline has been posting alerts and cancelations on its website-- and although there are a ton for Florida and some for New Orleans, there have been none for Huntsville. I'm hoping that's a good sign.
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Steve
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Lin. please fills me in about camp when you return. I would sure like to know about it. I am going after you go. ThanksLin wrote:I'm going to camp this weekend, too.
If it helps at all, my airline has been posting alerts and cancelations on its website-- and although there are a ton for Florida and some for New Orleans, there have been none for Huntsville. I'm hoping that's a good sign.
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p51
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It isn’t looking good for ‘New Ah-lins’ at all, but Huntsville looks well out of the path of this one, thank Goodness.
I can’t help but wonder how well secured everything is on the grounds there, as a very strong gust could easily topple that Saturn V mockup or flip the shuttle stack if it’s not VERY well anchored to the ground somehow.
I can’t help but wonder how well secured everything is on the grounds there, as a very strong gust could easily topple that Saturn V mockup or flip the shuttle stack if it’s not VERY well anchored to the ground somehow.
Skidmark
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spacemanpic
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P51,
Don't worry...the shuttle "Pathfinder" isn't going anywhere (lots of concrete). Hopefully the Saturn V replica won't "launch"...boy would that be a surprising thing to see this weekend. javascript:emoticon('8O')
I think Lin is correct on the superglue...a whole lot of super glue. Well, that and a lot of duct-tape (a must for any shuttle mission, simulated or otherwise).javascript:emoticon('8)')
- SpaceManPic
Don't worry...the shuttle "Pathfinder" isn't going anywhere (lots of concrete). Hopefully the Saturn V replica won't "launch"...boy would that be a surprising thing to see this weekend. javascript:emoticon('8O')
I think Lin is correct on the superglue...a whole lot of super glue. Well, that and a lot of duct-tape (a must for any shuttle mission, simulated or otherwise).javascript:emoticon('8)')
- SpaceManPic
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p51
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I hope that the tornadoes going through the area today didn't cause too many problems at Camp?
http://www.waff.com/story/19439826/torn ... see-valley
http://www.waff.com/story/19439826/torn ... see-valley
Skidmark
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Re: Tropical storm Issac
Concerning the rockets in Rocket and Shuttle Parks...They are very well tethered. When Katrina came through it was still a Category 1 hurricane (unusual for this far inland) and everything came through in excellent shape. I was walking my team back to the Hab after SCUBA that night and we could hear the wind rattling Pathfinder, but there was no damage other than me having my feet blown out from under me and having my pride badly bruised. 
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