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WeatherMatrix
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Prohibited. Usage logged.
From: smwincva_wxman{at}webtv.net
Date: Thu Sep 18 2003 - 21:10:21 EDT
Winchester (nw) VA
Isabel's cirrus arrived about 4pm Wed, & produced a vivid sunset (see
album). A light rain band arrived about 11:30am, with sustained wind of
10mph.
The first "real" band arrived at 3pm, bringing sustained winds of 15mph
& gusts to 30mph. As the bands progressed to the northwest, wind speeds
increased to about 25mph with my peak gust (so far) of 37mph (7pm).
Rain totals, so far have been minor (relatively speaking) as the total
is at .70". However, the most intense part of the storm will arrive
before midnight, & last 5 hours. Rainfall totals could exceed 3 hours in
a single hour. The NWS forecast 6-10" of rain here thru early Friday. In
the mountains, local amounts of 12" might happen.
A major river flood is expected into the weekend.
In Virginia, the number of Dominion Power customers in the dark topped 1
million about 6pm, most in the Norfolk area. In the Washington area,
about 100,000 were in the dark about 6:30pm.
Locally, my lights have constantly flickered in the last several hours,
but not long enough for "flashing clock syndrome".
Listening to the police scanner, it's been very quiet, except for downed
limbs/trees/wires. A few were reported into buildings, but so far no
injuries locally.
At least 2 deaths have occured:
>From WBAL TV
"BALTIMORE -- One person has died so far as a result of the storm.
WBAL-TV 11 News reporter Barry Simms reported that one fatality was
reported in Anne Arundel County where a car was swept off the roadway.
Simms said the incident was weather related and officials blame the
rain, wind and flooding conditions."
I also saw this on Washington Post.com:
"The storm's first reported fatality was a driver whose vehicle skidded
in high water on I-95 in Richmond, Col. W. Gerald Massengill, the
superintendent of the Virginia State Police, said. No other details were
immediately available."
In preparation for the storm, most local schools closed 3 hours early.
All local schools & some plants will be be closed Friday.
The county has each of the fire stations, all 3 high schools, & the
Salvation Army building available for shelter, if the need arrises.
Myself, i started Sunday by buying extra batteries for my radios,
scanners, & flashlights. (I had bought 4 extra flashlights in
anticipation of last winter's ice storm, and were not needed.)
I also informed the grocery store manager of the 5 day forecast taking
Isabel just our west Friday. He had not heard & thanked me.
Yesterday, i cleared everything off the carport (my mom had done a lot
of it already) and the yard. I also anchored the gutter extenders w/
additional bricks.
This am, i "sandbaged" the back door. Since no one offered sandbags
locally, i substituted 2 huge bags of mulch. Between the doors are 2
towels. On the inside side, a old rug.
Our picture window faces the northeast (the direction of the brunt of
the wind will happen).I thought it might be a good idea to tape it.
My sister, who also sometimes has a water in the basement problem, went
to Lowes this am. She got the last 4 bags of sand, & there was no D
batteries left. Generators sold out yesterday.
Another sister (& her family) who lives just outside of Washington DC,
will sleep in the basement tonight. She has several tall trees in & near
her yard.
About 8:30pm, a flash flood warning was issued just S thru E of my
location. http://wxmatrix-membersonly/group/VA_StormNet/message/31477
At 9pm: 64º, N16, Baro 29.69";
so far today- rain .81" and PWG 37mph
I will post later tonight if time & electric supplies permits.
Current 3 hour rain rates (From AccuWeather.com)
http://radar.accuweather.com/adcbin/public/radar_index_large.asp?partner=accuweather&getarea=va_&nxtype=tp&type=still
Viginia Weather warning info
http://wxmatrix-membersonly/group/VA_StormNet/messages
WREL Hurricane Center (from Lexington VA)
http://www.wrel.com/hurricane.htm
Early pictures from Isabel:
http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=4003288&a=30872973&f=0
Local Media links in the danger zone
http://wxmatrix-membersonly/group/VA_StormNet/message/31327
Information about Isabel (posted Mon)
http://wxmatrix-membersonly/group/VA_StormNet/message/31166
Replies to "What will blow away at 74mph?")
(posted Wed)
http://wxmatrix-membersonly/group/VA_StormNet/message/31278
Winchester 48 hour weather history
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/data/obhistory/KOKV.html
Steve Minghini
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