Beach Conditions Improve

Since the oil spill interest has waned, we’ve been overwhelmed by interest in knowing what the beaches are like. What is the algae situation like? Is there any June Grass? Is it bad? Is the surf up? These seem to resound continually on our Facebook page, so we’re responding by shooting some quick video every week to show you.

This week we’re at the city pier across from Pier Park. If it seems like we’re here a lot, it’s because we are. Our office is on the west end, I live out here, so the beach out here is very accessible.

The beach conditions weren’t bad this week, the algae was hardly present, but you could see indication of June Grass some distance out. Here’s the video.

Gulf Coast Oil Spill Update: VIDEO

Experts Say 2010 Hurricane Season To Be Very Busy

The past few years Panama City Beach has had some pretty easy hurricane seasons, but experts predict the 2010 season is predicted to be more active than the average for the 1950-2000 seasons. Reports estimate 11-16 named storms, 6-8 hurricanes and 3-5 major hurricanes to occur during this year which is up significantly from the past two years as well as the average.
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State of Emergency – Tropical Storm Ida and Panama City Beach

Tropical Storm Ida, quickly making her way through the Gulf of Mexico is set to give Mobile and Pensacola a near direct hit tomorrow morning. Panama City Beach has been overcast with Ida’s girth since early this morning, and we’ve seen wind gusts of up to 20 mph. We were out on the new Russell-Fields Pier this morning and captured dozens of surfers sharing the huge waves that came in nice even sets with smooth breaks in between.

Read on for video, tips on hurricane preparedness, and info on closings tomorrow, etc.

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Freezing Weather Blows Through Panama City Beach

Well, not freezing, literally, but still the weather is pretty darn cold, for Floridians, at least. With highs in the lower 60’s over the weekend with a wind chill of mid-50’s, Panama City Beach natives were bundled up in their sweatshirts, sweaters and turtlenecks shivering as they walked the packed streets of Pier Park. I went to Five Guys Burgers twice (I know, I’m an addict) and both times I waited in a fairly decent line.

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Direct Hit – Panama City Beach Hurricane Season 2009

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration published its 2009 hurricane predictions interpreted by some to be “busy” and others as “normal.” Top weather forecasters on the federal level announced that the tropics are likely to experience an active storm season, stirring up between 11 – 14 storms with 6 -8 of them becoming full hurricanes. This is not quite as active as last year’s storm season which produced 16 named storms, 8 of them hurricanes and 5 of those major hurricanes. Florida, for its part, only had to deal with one storm, Fay, and the Gulf of Mexico remained relatively unharmed.

The hurricane affect on the travel season is ambiguous at best. Any city in the path of a Hurricane or tropical storm instantly becomes America’s most avoided destination. Even small tropical storms, a full week away from landfall where Panama City Beach sits somewhere within a 300 mile-wide landing cone, could detour potential tourist to other vacation areas. Travel by air during hurricane warnings is usually halted and driving into a potential storm isn’t necessarily safe. Vacations are canceled or postponed and economically the shift can be staggering. In a post-Katrina 2006 survey by Manugistics Group Inc., results found that one quarter of Americans say they would cancel Florida travel plans because of the hurricanes. The survey also said up to 3.4 million hotel room-nights could be canceled or avoided during the remainder of the year.

On the other hand, despite the devastation wreaked by hurricanes in recent years, thousands of intrepid travelers will be making their way to hurricane zones like Panama City Beach, lured by cheap airfares and accommodation rates. Many travelers are willing to risk encountering a storm during their vacation — especially if their hotel or condo destination offers a hurricane guarantee. Case in point, the very same Manugistics Group Inc survey also found that one third of American adults said the hurricanes would not affect travel plans.

The Panama City Beach’s TDC, CVB and the majority of the private sector have spent loads of money marketing this year’s summer season expected to be bigger than the last two years. With Panama City Beach’s new image being showcased all over the south, the buzz about the city may be at its highest point, so high that the only thing that can bring it down is a hurricane. Still, PCB has endured many hurricanes and businesses remain stalwart. Billy Alam, General Manager of the beach front Days Inn, says, “I’m not worried. You just have to be prepared.”

Preparation was the talk of the NOAA forecast news conference. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke told reporters, ”Our plan today is simple: We want the public to be ready for this year’s season,” Locke was accompanied by NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco and Bill Read, NOAA’s National Hurricane Center director. Bill Read added, “Hurricane season in upon us. We need to communicate down to the personal level, preparedness, now is the time.”

NOAA officials said the forecast will be updated in August, normally the busiest part of hurricane season.

The first four storms of the year to come out of the Atlantic, Caribbean or the Gulf of Mexico have already been named, Ana, Bill, Claudette and Danny. For a summer season that is set to be a lucrative one for Panama City Beach businesses, let’s hope we don’t get to meet Ana, Bill, Claudette or Danny face to debri-swirling face.

I see sunshine on a cloudy day

This morning I awoke to a dark and dreary day. With complete cloud cover the rain poored, suplimenting the watering my sprinkler was giving my lawn. With windshield wipers blading the water off windshields cars hummed down the street with their lights on.

The last couple of days have been nothing short of fantastic here in Panama City Beach. Weather like we’ve had the past couple of days serve as a clear reminder of why living here is just so great. With humidity levels low, the sun has been out backed by the only thing that is better than a clear blue sky: a clear blue sky with defined, whispy white clouds carefully accenting particular parts of space. The high yesterday was 75. Awesome.

Last night a front moved through during the early hours of the morning and dumped an always much needed drink of water on our lush local environ. And yes, I just created my own word. We got about an inch this morning. But, just around lunch time, the rain clouds went away and the sun peeked out.

I was told that we would have cold rainy weather the next couple of days, but thank goodness they were wrong; at least for now. Currently it is 76 outside, sunny and dry.

If you live here, go outside and enjoy this weather. Many should be so lucky.

Quiet Tropics

Gary Gnu

To quote Gary Gnu from the Muppets, “No gnus, is good gnus”. I am happy to report there there are no tropical cyclones active in the Atlantic Basin at this time. It’s about time.

People all across Texas, Louisiana, and the midwest are still trying to clean up from Ike. Thousands of people from the Houston are still in shelters. Others are still waiting for food, water, and electricity. Galveston is trying to clean up and assess the damage. It will be some time. Officials think it will be months before the city reopens as the main gas and electric lines to the island were severely damaged. They are also warning of mosquito borne illnesses. “Galveston can no longer safely accommodate its population,” City Manager Steve LeBlanc said. “Quite frankly, we are reaching a health crisis for people who remain on the island.”

Ike’s effects have been far reaching. In the midwest, there has been major flash flooding. Where we grew up in Northwest Indiana is suffering badly. They had received a lot of rain and then when Ike’s reminants came through it was just too much. Several hospitals, schools, and churches are under water. Bryan’s parents churc has about 6 feet of water. The high schools fooIt’s sad because those people don’t have flood insurance as this is extremely abnormal for that area.

For us locally, things are pretty good. The waters have receded and the beach seems ok. According to the paper this morning, there is still a threat of rip currents. It looks as if there is still a red flag flying this morning.

Ike Makes Landfall

Ike Radar Hurricane Ike made landfall at Galveston, Texas at 2:10 a.m. this morning. Maximum sustained winds were 110 miles per hour, just one mph less than a Category 3 strom. High surge, wind, heavy rains, tornadoes, widespread flooding, massive power outages, and fires were the main news stories overnight.

As many as 1200 calls for rescue were received from people who did not evacuate. Most were told they would have to wait until conditions improved. Officials are trying to get out to complete rescues, as well as, to assess the damage. Of particular concern is the status of the oil and chemical plants, and the skyscrapers in downtown Houston.

As you can see from radar, Ike is still dealing a heavy punch to the area this morning. As of the 8:00 a.m. CDT advisory, it was a Category 1 storm with maximum sustained winds near 90 mph. Additional weakening is expected throughout the day, but Ike could remain a hurricane into this afternoon. Hurricane force winds extend out 125 miles, with tropical storm force up to 260 miles. Although not as powerful of a storm, Ike had a larger wind field than Katrina.

Ike will be making a turn to the northeast sometime later today. This will take the storm to areas of the midwest that are already soaked from heavy rains due to a stalled front. Ike will meet up with a cold front and bring additional heavy rains.

Obviously, all of the TV news stations will be bringing more information and videos as it becomes available. This will be my last report on Ike. Thank you for reading.

Waiting for Ike

Ike

Residents along the upper-Coast of Texas and western Louisiana can’t do much more but finish preparations and wait for the worst part of Ike. Ike remains a large storm with hurricane force winds extending out 120 miles and tropical storm force winds up to 275 miles.

They are already starting to feel the effects. Water levels, winds, and waves are on the rise. As much as 20 foot of storm surge along with large and battering waves are expected. Waves and water are already covering roadways, even though landfall is still approximately 12 hours away. Southwest Louisiana already has a storm surge of over 9 ft; over 6 ft. in Galveston. The buoy 22 NM east of Galveston is recording 19 ft. waves.

In the local area, things are still trying to calm and are getting better as time goes by. Things should be back to normal by the weekend.

Other Ike Pics: Here are some photos that were sent to me by Jan Nonog. Jan wrote, “These were taken yesterday evening around 4.30pm to 5 at Tyndall AFB Beach. The whole beach was flooded right back to the boardwalk, normally it takes 2 or 3 minutes to walk to the water from there.” Thank you Jan for sharing!!