Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Day After Tropical Storm Fay

After weather forecasts had everyone in Southwest Florida prepared for a nasty tropical storm or posssibly even hurricane force winds, we are quite relieved that it passed through without leaving any significant damage behind.

After watching the continual weather reports for several days, and still having thoughts of hurricanes past, everyone here was more than willing to prepare for the worst.

When all preparations were done; you just had to hope you were well prepared. For someone new to island life, I can tell you that it is a little unnerving. Especially after driving around the island just before dark last night and seeing it look so deserted.

There was nothing left to do, but sit in front of the TV watching the weather updates. Next, I tried to decide if the whole storm thing was being sensationalized or could it be even worse by the time it got here.

When they said Fay might make landfall south of here, I started feeling a little bit of relief. But, it was still showing a hurricane watch for this area. Very gradually it became obvious that we could get by fairly unscathed. The weather reports that were coming from different locations were almost comical at times. One reporter was standing outside talking about the torential downpour and strong, gusting winds, when he had hardly any rain blowing in his face. Another said that water was building up on some of the streets making driving dangerous; it was at least 1 to 2 inches deep in places. One guy said there was a really large puddle in front of Town Hall; he had put his hand in it and it nearly came up to his wrist! Palm fronds were also a big issue because they had seen a few on the street. It went on and on. You know how it is when they have so many people and cameras in place and there is really nothing exciting to report. They just say anything and everything to fill air time.

Through all of that we also were looking at the doppler radar on the computer too. The green color was mild, then yellow and red being the worst. Through the entire night you could see a combination of those colors moving toward the island and when it reached the water and the causeway the red part disappeared and only green and yellow remained. Only a few times did the yellow part reach the island. After watching that happen for a few hours, it would lead you to believe that there was a shield protecting us.

Around 5:30 AM, they said the worst part should be reaching Sanibel. I opened the door several times to look out and the rain didn't blow in, nor did the wind pull at the door. There had been no consistent strong wind and after hearing only a few wind gusts that I would guess were well under 40 mile an hour, I decided it was time to go to sleep and let the palm fronds fall where they may.

I woke up this morning to a light rain and everything outside looked the same as yesterday, except for one palm frond laying on the other side of the street and very little water standing in the swales. After all the worrying I had done; I think a strong thunder storm in the mid-west would have put this to shame. Thank goodness!!! We have been very fortunate. I know that in other areas south and east of us, things were worse, but even in those areas I think they only have minimal damage.

For those of you wondering about shelling conditions: I didn't think the it would bring much on shore because we were on the western edge of of the storm. But now I believe the wind is in a more westerly direction, so who knows?


Now remember what I said about there being a shield protecting us? Well...here's what I think....

After Hurricane Charley, a few mega rich folks and some insurance companies secretly invested a system invented (perhaps) by John Kanzius. The plan to build the hurricane blocking shield into the new causeway was (perhaps) spearheaded by Porter Goss. This system transmits radio waves from the support pillars of the causeway, which are being controlled from the new building above the toll booths. Thus protecting Sanibel and Captiva, keeping us safe.

OK, that's my story and I'm stickin' to it! Sorry, just some morning after the scare craziness.


Now back to reality...

Sanibel, Florida - August 19, 2008 Tropical Storm Fay Final Advisory
7: 14 AM Tuesday, August 19, 2008

As of 7 am the Sanibel Police Department has completed an assessment. At this time Sanibel reports no known power outages, no known flooding, no known road closures due to downed vegetation or standing water.

Tornado Watch issued by the National Weather Service is in effect until 8 am.

As of 7 am the Sanibel Police Department has completed an assessment. At this time Sanibel reports no known power outages, no known flooding, no known road closures due to downed vegetation or standing water.

Sanibel Police Bill Tomlinson reminds all residents that the threat for dangerous weather conditions remains in effect for Sanibel until noon today. Motorists should refrain from utilizing the roadways until this threat has expired.

The Lee County Incinerator is closed today therefore there will be no refuse & recycling collection today on Sanibel. Refuse, recycling and vegetative waste collection will be delayed one day the remainder of the week. Thus if your normal day for collection is Wednesday it will be collected on Thursday and so forth.

Lee County Department of Transportation has notified the City of Sanibel that workers are scheduled to be re-deployed to the toll booths 2 pm today. All Sanibel Causeway tolls remain suspended until that time.

City Hall Main switchboard (239-472-3700) is open.
All City Police functions are operable.
City Public Works & Utilities Department are conducting clean-up & removing shutters today.
All other City operations will re-open at 8 am, Wednesday, August 20th.

2 comments:

Snowbird said...

Love the idea of the shield. When I taught up here in Findlay, every school in the area would have a snowday but not us. We swore that there was a dome over Findlay protecting us.

I'm just glad that you are safe and that our beloved island is safe. Can't wait to get back.

Tipper said...

Glad you made it through! The weather folks can go overboard when they're reporting a storm for sure. The sheild theory is cute!