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Rainfall reports out of the Melbourne area are stunning. Over 2' of rain has fallen, and more is on the way. This will likely go down as the biggest rain event ever to hit the Cape. But it could set another record. Never has a storm made 4 separate landfalls in Florida. There storms have made 3 landfalls. They are the unnamed 1878 hurricane, Easy in 1950, and the famous Donna in 1960.
If Fay tracks into the Gulf later this week and hits the Panhandle, which is quite possible, it would be the only storm with four landfalls. it first hit Key West early this week, then Marco Island south of Naples, likely Daytona on Thursday, then a fourth...
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Fay made it through Hispaniola slightly weaker, but latest satellite imagery suggests this storm is ready to gain strength quickly. The official NHC forecast keeps Fay as a TS along the Cuban coast, but don't be surprised to see Fay intensify quickly to hurricane strength. The highest heat content in the Atlantic is ahead of Fay, and wind shear is low. Only land interaction will keep Fay at bay. And my guess is that won't last long.
I'm reminded of Hurricane Irene in 1999. Remember her? This late October storm left 20" of rain in Boynton Beach, but also made for a scary Friday night for us, as winds gusty to over 80 mph over the Lake. The coastal wind speeds were close behind. More notable was the fact the track had Irene headed to Tampa, but she ended up over the Lake that night. A lesson should be learned here. Watch the cone. We're in the cone. Several great computer models have an Irene tracking through our area.
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as I predicted last night we would have TS Fay today. With a low level center over land but a well protected center deviod of dry air, Fay should continue as a strong tropical storm on the weekend. don't be suprised to see Fay intensify some more. Water temperatures in the mid to high 80's lay ahead of the system along the south coast of Cuba. One the oppsite side of things, Fay will encounter high terrian the next 24 hours, with mountian peaks rising thousands of feet.
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The tropical wave over the Leeward Islands is becoming better organized tonight. Although the convection has diminished this evening, impressive outflow is occurring, and another peak in the convective cycle should happen overnight. hurricane hunters have been flying through the system, and we all expect to see a depression overnight or Friday. Water temperatures are in the low to mid 80's the next couple of days, and wind shear remains at around 10mph, which should not hinder strengthening. Look for TS Fay in the next 24 hours.
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Late this afternoon Bertha set a record by becoming the longest lasting July storm on record. It beats a record that has stood since 1916, when Storm #2 lasted for 12.25 days. It has been a busy July in the tropics, with well developed waves coming off the coast of
Africa. Bertha formed quickly near the Cape Verde Is. almost two weeks ago, and at one point was a major hurricane. This was unusual too since it is early in the hurricane season.
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A great final day for the Ride. More sunny weather, but temperatures soared into the low 90's. The wind can sometimes be a problem on the last day, but this year it was fine. I was joined by Mo Foster of KOOL 105.5 again, and Stan Kilbas the owner of Wheels of Wellington. He donates the bike that we auction off on the last day.
We left CityPlace at 1pm. A first on the Ride; Mo got a flat tire in Lake Worth, almost in front of the Lake Worth Bike Shop. We walked in and they repaired it in 5 minutes. The total distance is about 30 miles to Boca, and it took about 21/2 hours.
A good crowd greeted us at Mizner Park, and our main sponsor, Ansca Homes, made a $5000. donation in the 5pm newscast. Eric Scherr, the GM of Ansca Homes made the donation and thanked the Red Cross. We started the bike bidding at $500., and we eventually got a $2000. bid.
At 5:30pm Steve Bayer, a disaster specialist with the Red Cross, came on to talk about hurricane preparedness. Stan gave a detailed description of the bike, and we promoted the annual hurricane guide.
At 6pm Joe Hansen showed off the new pet shelter, and we got the bike bid up to $2750. The bid was from Mark Ryska of Vero Beach. At the last minute we got an additional bid of $7250., making the final donation total of $10000. We have a secret bidder who calls in at the last minute each year. I know who they are but I'm sworn to secrecy.
Thanks to everyone who helped with the Ride this year. Bernedette O'Grady and Mo Foster deserve a special thanks for the organization and promotion of the Ride. And Bob Leak for racing up and down the coast shooting all the video you see during the day. And the returning secret bike bidder. Let's hope he returns next year...
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Another sunny hot and dry day to bike down the coast. Lazy Loggerhead Cafe at Carlin Park was our first stop at Noon, and owners Jenn and Brian Wilson gave $1000. donation. Breakfest and lunch at the Loggerhead are a must. Try the blackened dolphin sandwich. My favorite. I've been going there for years. Linda Olsen of the Red Cross came on at 12:45 to talk about CPR and EAD training.
We headed out at 1pm down A1A to West Palm Beach. I was joined by Mo Foster of KOOL 105.5, and Greg and Ron. Greg runs the Salvation Army for this area and comes along every year. Mo wanted to be part of the Ride last year, so we formed a partnership with radio and tv. It works very well to get the Red Cross word out, and reach more residents. Mo and Sally talk up the Ride during the week, and he joins me in Palm Beach County. By 3pm we were at WPB, and travelled back to the Garens Mall for the 5pm broadcasts.
The Gardens Mall gave a $5000. check, and local stores like California Pizza Kitchen brought out food for the volunteers. Michelle Jacobs presented the check to Michael Lampert, new board chair for the local chapter. Mary Blakeney and I work closely together during hurricane season, and she came on to talk about getting a hurricane plan.
I don't keep a taly of donations brought in, but leave it to the Red Cross. I have a feeling this will be a record year, especially if the bike auction goes well on Friday. Remember there is a Steve's Ride after party at Blue Martini between 6-9pm. Half price drinks and some food items.
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A great mid week ride down US 1 in Martin County. The weather was sunny all day with temperatures in the high 80's. We started around 11am at the Roosevelt Bridge, and worked out way to Toyota of Stuart by Noon. I was joined by the Toyota Bike Team, and they came on air at Noon. We received a check from Jorn Pierson of Toyota of Stuart, a big supporter of the Red Cross. Rob Shelt also came on talked about hurricane preparation. And the beautiful Lindsey Berman, the recently crowned Ms. US Florida Continental dropped by to cheer us on.
At 1pm we set off to Hobe Sound and Harry and the Natives. Harry is away, but his wife Paula and morhter Pauline donated $1000. once again. We also had a $500. from Steinger, Iscoe and Green, and checks from Hobe Soiunds Chamber and GFWC Hobe Sound Women's Club. Total ride distance was about 20 miles.
On to Palm Beach County...
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Another great day on the road, with a nice reception at Blue Water Beach Grill on the Ft. Pierce Inlet, then the bike ride down A1A to avoid construction on US1. Blue Water made a $1000. donation to the Red Cross. We ended the day at Norris Ribs in Port St. Lucie. They also made a nice donation and were great hosts for the evening. Total distance was about 20 miles. Thanks to St. Lucie County Sherrif's Dept. for escort today. Indian River and St. Lucie are always great hosts and this year was no exception. On to Martin County.
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A great start to the 9th year of the Red Cross Ride! Captain Hiram's was the starting point for the Noon newscasts. Jan Taylor does a fantastic job as host at Hiram's, and once again they came through with a $1000. donation. Tommy Picarraro also raised money at his Sebastian Charter School with a hat day. He joined me on the ride for the first 3 miles. This kid is only 13, but I know you will be watching him do the weather on Channel 5 some day. He has the interest and a great community spirit. He also hands out WPTV Hurricane Guides at Publix, and shows customers what hurricane supplies they should buy.
I biked about 30 miles to downtown Ft. Pierce, with a strong headwind after Vero Beach. A strong police escort included the Indian River Sheriff Dept. Vero Beach Police and the Florida Highway Patrol. I appreciate their help. I've come close to getting hit in the past. The trek took about 3 hours.
Our evening broadcasts were from Dyer Mazda/Chevrolet. Tatiana and Will Dyer came through with a $3000. donation, and we has a strong turnout. There were several thunderstorms in the area but we were able to do the broadcasts. Overall a great but tiring first day.
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Everything is set for the Ride down the coast to raise money for the Red Cross. The Ride begins on June 2nd and runs through Friday. Again this year we will be raising hurricane awareness, rainsing funds for the Red Cross, and freaturing Red Cross volunteers each day. The Ride starts in Sebastian at Captian Hirams, and end in Boca. It is roughly 130 miles from start to finish. I will be riding a Trek bike donated by Wheels of Wellington, and Mo Foster from KOOL 105.5 will be joining me on the last two days.
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Thursday's warm front will bring clouds and a few showers, and isentropic lift will help set off some heavier rain in a few spots. Isentropic left is common with fronts over Florida lifting north, forcing warm air aloft. The air cools, water condenses out, and it rains. Sometimes a lot of rain. A similar event in boynton a few weeks ago left flooding in just a few hours. I'm not expecting flooding rain Thursday, but heavier cells are possible in the evening.
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The cool front sits over Orlando tonight, and will be the first cool down in a few weeks. This will be a La Nina Winter for Florida, which means warmer then normal weather is possible into the Spring. The jet stream shifts north in a La Nina situation, bringing fewer cold fronts through our areas. But be forewarned, the fronts that do make it south are unusually strong and promise severe weather in their wake.
Rainfall is likely to be less than normal, already agravating the severe drought conditions over the Lake.
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Hopefully you can see the Boynton Beach Waterspout taken by Antony Venero from the Sea Mist 3. If not, I'm told we have a team of web developers working on getting images on this blog. Hopefully it will happen soon. I can't wait!
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