Hurricane Matthew

[dp8541]

Schools have already been cancelled in South Carolina already. Why?

All the school buses have been sent to the coast to start the evacuations.

Power went out on the southside this morning, we thought it was a little early for outages, then we found out a guy had a seizure, drove across 6 lanes of Kernan and hit the JEA power pole.

Kind of answered your own question - kids cant make it to school if there are no buses available since they are being used for an evacuation.  They also close schools in these situations to keep the major roads clear for people to begin evacuating. 

[Adam White]

Schools have already been cancelled in South Carolina already. Why?

All the school buses have been sent to the coast to start the evacuations.

Power went out on the southside this morning, we thought it was a little early for outages, then we found out a guy had a seizure, drove across 6 lanes of Kernan and hit the JEA power pole.

Kind of answered your own question

I think spuwho was employing the question as a rhetorical device.

[pierre]

I stopped at the Dailys on 17 near San Juan last night. Glad I did after seeing the line to get in there this morning.

Good luck getting anything over the next few days.

[fsquid]

I stopped at the Dailys on 17 near San Juan last night. Glad I did after seeing the line to get in there this morning.

Good luck getting anything over the next few days.

I think you will see inventory refreshed at many places today and tomorrow morning.

[spuwho]

Charleston and Beaufort SC are reporting gas shortages as people gas up to leave the coast.

Schools in NW South Carolina are still open. Greenville SC schools gave up 280 buses to drive down to the coast to move people away.

The USNS Spearhead is being positioned in Key West for any aid missions that come up.

Lane reversals will begin at Charleston at 3pm today.

All Orlando theme parks are still reporting open until further notice.

A new alert is being used this year due to people misunderstanding flooding alerts during Storm Sandy, that alerts to a "storm surge alert".

The Royal Bahamian Defense Force has relocated to Key West.

Mandatory evacuations are announced for Brevard starting at 3pm today, its still voluntary in St Lucie.

[acme54321]

I know better safe than sorry but it seems SC is jumping the gun a bit on this one.

[spuwho]

I know better safe than sorry but it seems SC is jumping the gun a bit on this one.

Gov Haley said they were extending the deadlines to evac 24 hours due to storm slowness and better cooperation than usual.

[BridgeTroll]

Outstanding explanation as to how and why Mathew is doing what it is doing...  This guy is GOOD!

https://www.youtube.com/v/_2CSPKM7En4

[Tacachale]

Duval, St. Johns and Nassau schools are closed for Thursday and Friday. The Beaches is being evacuated. Here at UNF, all classes and events are cancelled after 3 p.m. today until Monday.

[acme54321]

I stopped at the Dailys on 17 near San Juan last night. Glad I did after seeing the line to get in there this morning.

Good luck getting anything over the next few days.

Just drove by, they are out of gas now.

[Houseboat Mike]

Today was "All Hands On Deck!","General Quarters!" & "Batten Down the Hatches!" mode along the Ortega River waterfront.

Vessels moved away from more exposed docks....amazing to always manage to find the space to assemble them,as if a giant Tic-Tac-Toe game.
Some vessels making pointed entry to the Ortega River to weather the storm. Florida Yacht Club river side docks to be cleared.Tomorrow boat owners will rush to complete vessel prep,additional lines.

Dora in 1964 was the 'worst' most recollect........a weak Cat 2,albeit perfectly aligned for maximum damage.

It is always fascinating to witness the river water level rise. To tour docks,marinas and creeks really makes an impression.
In addition to rainfall amount,prevailing wind direction is key.
The storm a couple of weeks ago generated westerly winds,Ortega River water levels hardly rose.
Matthew will likely generate easterly winds for a fair amount of time,literally blowing water in to the river system.

"I wonder about Lake Okeechobee .....water level is at 15' plus,a situation not considered ideal for the dike. A slow moving storm grinding just offshore and generating rainfall north of the lake in amounts that can not be discharged might make headlines.

Ortega shouldn't be too bad, since it is a hurricane hole and most of the winds will be coming from the north and northeast- pretty well protected. Fleming Island Marina is going to catch it- their C dock is falling apart and very well may bash into some boats there. But Knights down in Green Cove will be the worst- northeasters routinely beat the hell out of boats there.

[fsquid]

Ortega shouldn't be too bad, since it is a hurricane hole and most of the winds will be coming from the north and northeast- pretty well protected. Fleming Island Marina is going to catch it- their C dock is falling apart and very well may bash into some boats there. But Knights down in Green Cove will be the worst- northeasters routinely beat the hell out of boats there.

Whats a hurricane hole?

places protected from wind and surge by natural breakways.  Usually used to talk about places in the Caribbean to ride out a storm.

[Know Growth]

Ortega shouldn't be too bad, since it is a hurricane hole and most of the winds will be coming from the north and northeast- pretty well protected. Fleming Island Marina is going to catch it- their C dock is falling apart and very well may bash into some boats there. But Knights down in Green Cove will be the worst- northeasters routinely beat the hell out of boats there.

Wind direction a key element even for relatively "protected" waters such as the Ortega River.
Prevailing winds out of the east and northeast during Charlie produced relatively calm wave condition and winds somewhat blocked.
The recent storm produced westerly winds which produced greater felt wind along the westerly section of the Ortega River "Marina Mile".

Florida Yacht Club and Fleming Island Marina are at the tail end of a long "Fetch" of wind and high waves when the wind is out of the northeast.
Conversely,strong winds out of the south or southeast will pound Riverside/Avondale shoreline and the mouth of Fishweir Creek.

The Ortega River "Marina Mile" was the sight of much activity yesterday. Boats inbound from more exposed areas,seeking "Hurricane Hole". Saddler Point parking lot filling up with vessels hauled out,including the JU research boat,a large aluminum pontoon boat.
A friend was able to make hasty run away from the central Florida coast in favor of a covered slip at Lambs Yacht Center.
Huckins Yacht Corp similarly engaged.Easterly facing Ortega Landing will see a test of it's promotion as historical Hurricane Hole/Safe Harbor.
Indeed,even if Ortega River damage is to occur,the effects will probably be mitigated compared to coastal locations.

"Hurricane Hole" might include upstream McGirts creek south of 103 street.

[fsquid]

the last day of updates have continued to bring worse news.

[Snufflee]

Thanks fsquid, much obliged.

I thought it might be something like that, but the term is new to me.

thanks for taking the time to define it.

I assume you are more familiar with the term hurricane haven... of which Jacksonville is not for any type of deep draft ship.Ortega has enough wind breaks and wind shelter shelter and the moon phase is favorable to minimize tidal surge that pleasure craft should be ok in that area of the river.