FEMA Blocked Musk's Starlink To Florida and North Carolina

Under FEMA Administrator Criswell’s leadership, her team blocked assistance to homes that signaled support for President Trump.

Now she’s saying FEMA never blocked @ElonMusk and Starlink from getting high-speed internet to folks on the ground, despite witnesses testifying to the… https://t.co/p0DPgJkEc2 pic.twitter.com/zrJQRoKYZF

— Rep. Lauren Boebert (@RepBoebert) November 21, 2024

FEMA Directed To Avoid Homes With Trump Signs

Another great reason to be glad the Democrats have been voted out.

 

Absolutely sickening and inhuman. Thank God this horrific and prejudiced administration is leaving. https://t.co/ToP68Aq6Oy

— Rep. John Block (@RepBlock) November 9, 2024

Black Hawk Helicopter Appears and Damages Supplies With Rotor Wash

 

Another angle of the Blackhawk rotor wash of the supply area in western North Carolina pic.twitter.com/zUSJgWe43D

— Washingtons ghost (@hartgoat) October 7, 2024

From the Western Journal:

Video from a North Carolina disaster relief station appears to show a Black Hawk helicopter damaging the site with its rotor wash.

According to one report, the incident came only 40 minutes after the civilian aid site was allegedly “slow rolled” by a pair of suspicious black SUVs.

The situation unfolded Sunday as people gathered supplies to help Hurricane Helene victims at a Burnsville parking lot.

A video of the encounter showed the helicopter arriving over the parking lot where volunteers and aid were being staged.

To read more, go here. 

Florida Looters Could Meet Shooters, Gov. DeSantis Warns

Potential looters taking advantage of Hurricane Milton to loot someone's business or home may find themselves staring down a gun barrel, according to Gov. Ron DeSantis.

During a press briefing, the governor issued a warning that since Florida is a Second Amendment state, looters wanting to loot in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton had better think twice.

According to Florida Politics:

'You don't know what's behind that door.'

Another hurricane brings another unambiguous assertion of Floridians’ right to self-defense from the state’s Governor.

“If you think you’re going to go in and loot, you got another thing coming,” Gov. Ron DeSantis said during a briefing at the state’s Emergency Operations Center.

“If you go into somebody’s house after the storm passes, think that you’re going to be able to commit crimes, you’re going to get in really serious trouble. And quite frankly, you don’t know what’s behind that door in a Second Amendment state.”

Variations of this theme are a staple of storm press conferences for DeSantis, and Hurricane Milton continues the tradition familiar to Floridians who were around for 2023’s Hurricane Idalia and 2022’s Hurricane Ian. 

To read more, go here. 

Watchdog Found $7 Billion In Untapped FEMA Funds

 

Watchdog found $7B in untapped FEMA funds — even though DHS Secretary Mayorkas said none available for future disasters https://t.co/sKOahimGfp pic.twitter.com/8Nwi67kuHW

— New York Post (@nypost) October 7, 2024

Hurricane Milton Cruise Itinerary Changes

Above, the storm approaching Nassau, Bahamas last month. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When the cruise to the Bahamas was booked, I was a bit leery over going in early August as it was inside Caribbean hurricane season. I monitored the weather reports leading up to the cruise.

The only day of inclement weather during the cruise was when we were in Nassau. It was rainy there, with periods of hard rain, while we were on a bus tour. But we "weathered" it fine.

Now, Hurricane Milton is causing cruise lines to modify or cancel cruises.

Cruise Radio posted:

All eyes are on the Caribbean as Hurricane Milton continues to intensify. The storm is forecast to become a Category 3 or 4 hurricane with winds of 120 mph before making landfall on Wednesday on Florida’s Gulf Coast.

This week, voyages out of Miami, Port Everglades, Palm Beach, Port Canaveral, Jacksonville, Tampa Bay, New Orleans, Galveston, and Baltimore could be impacted. Florida ports are expected to close depending on Hurricane Milton’s track.

You can check the status of your cruise port here.

If your cruise is affected this week, your cruise line will contact you by email or text regarding any potential changes and cancellation policies.

Below are the updated changes from the following cruise lines. We’ll add itinerary revisions and possible cruise ship diversions as they become available from the operators.

If your cruise has changed, you can let us know here.

 To read more, go here.

Frequent Atlantic Hurricanes Expected

Just what I didn't want to read.

RV Travel has posted an article stating that 2024 will have more frequent hurricanes. 

According to Wikipedia:

The season officially begins on June 1, 2024, and ends on November 30, 2024.

A friend and I are planning a cruise to the Bahamas in late July. That's practically right smack in hurricane territory and season. 

Above, Hurricane Florence from the ISS. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center photo.

RV Travel wrote:

RVers, other travelers as well as residents in areas normally affected by seasonal Atlantic hurricanes may face especially challenging activity in the months ahead. If you plan to spend time this season in such an area, be sure to constantly monitor the weather forecast and have an escape plan if trapped with nowhere to go.

The top 10 states that experience the most hurricanes, in order of number of events that reached landfall between 1851 and 2020, are Florida, Texas, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, New York, Mississippi and Virginia (with Massachusetts just barely behind).

This year, National Weather Service forecasters at the Climate Prediction Center predict above-normal hurricane activity in the Atlantic basin. NOAA’s outlook for the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, which is from June 1 to November 30, predicts an 85% chance of an above-normal season, a 10% chance of a near-normal season and a 5% chance of a below-normal season.

Assuredly, I will be monitoring the weather reports prior to departure.

To read more, go here.

Cruise: I Don't Think So

Above, the Majesty of the Seas docked in Havana Port. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Friend Mitch Geriminsky and I were discussing last night taking a cruise vacation later this year. We went on a cruise five years ago to Key West, Florida and Havana, Cuba.

We were almost ready to pull the trigger to take this one:

ROUNDTRIP FROM:Tampa, Florida

VISITING:Tampa, FloridaNassau, BahamasGrand Bahama Island, BahamasPerfect Day at CocoCay, BahamasKey West, FloridaTampa, Florida

I've been wanting to go to the Bahamas, so this seemed like a good choice and the price was reasonable. The dates were August 31 to September 7.

Earlier in the evening, I asked him to check on when hurricane season takes place, but he hadn't done it. We were about to book the cruise when I took a look about when hurricane season takes place.

Lo and behold, hurricane season is from August to October. I immediately told him, "Hold it!" and told him when is hurricane season and sent him the below video. It was a cruise caught in extreme weather en route to the Bahamas.

I suggested aiming for April or May of next year instead. The Cuba cruise was in April and the weather was great. 

Before looking up hurricane season, I joked that the advantage of inside cabins (with no windows) is if the ship sinks, water can't get into the cabin.

Hurricane Hilary: Catastrophe For Insurers?

Hurricane Hilary (or rather, Tropical Storm Hilary) has made its way through Southern California. 

Reuters reported:

LOS ANGELES, Aug 21 (Reuters) - The first tropical storm to hit Los Angeles in more than 80 years unleashed floods across parts of Southern California more accustomed to drought, as officials urged the public to stay safe as they began to count the cost of damage.

The National Weather Service downgraded the hurricane to a tropical depression but not before California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency for much of Southern California, with flash flood warnings until at least 3 a.m. (1000 GMT) on Monday.

I would not be at all surprised if the insurance claims industry assigns a catastrophe status to this event, along with a catastrophe code number, in the days ahead or have done so already. Major events such as this usually are assigned catastrophe status for anticipated high damage claims. Insurers will be hiring additional claims staff to handle the increased numbers of claims. I served on several catastrophes, the last being the Northridge Earthquake in 1994.

The Insurance Services Office (ISO) defines a catastrophe as an event that causes. $24 million or more in insured property losses and affects a significant number of. property/casualty policyholders and insurers.

It is possible that retired property adjusters, such as myself, are called up to join catastrophe teams. Good money is made in joining catastrophe claim teams.

To read more, go here.

Californians Prepare For Hurricane Hilary

 

First Tropical Storm Watch For California

Above, Hurricane Hilary image by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 

Not since 1939 has a tropical storm hit Southern California. Hurricane Hilary is headed to California this weekend.

This is necessitating the first-ever tropical storm watch for California by the National Weather Service.

No doubt this storm will affect our monsoon weather here in the Four Corners region. 

Hurricane Roslyn Hits Pacific Coast of Mexico

Hurricane Roslyn is hitting Mexico as a Category 4 hurricane.

Its path, according to current forecasts, has it going in a northeast direction. It appears that it may affect Texas and maybe Louisiana. But some clouds can be sent into New Mexico. It is one storm we should keep an eye on. It could veer a little bit more west, which would then definitely affect New Mexico.

The National Hurricane Center’s forecast for Roslyn. (NOAA/NHC) (NOAA/NHC)

What To Know About Traveling To Florida Following Hurricane Ian

Above, Key West and the Florida Keys are already open for business. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The devastation of Florida from Hurricane Ian is still mind-blowing (no pun intended) and it is still being totaled up. It will likely take years to get the state back to normal in many places.

In the meantime, there are those who planned to vacation in Florida. After all, tourism is one of Florida's biggest industries. What should people know about traveling to Florida following Hurricane Ian?

Travel Off Path has posted an article discussing this.

They begin with:

On September 28th, 2022, Hurricane Ian made Landfall on Florida’s Southwest coast. The devastating category 4 storm sustained winds over 115mph with gusts up to 132mph. Flooding was estimated to be up to 18 ft. on the coast and 6 ft. further inland. Buildings were flooded, property was swept away, hundreds of people died, and thousands became displaced from their homes.

After ravaging Southwest Florida, the hurricane swept through Central Florida as it was downgraded to a category 3 storm. The impact to the area was devastating despite the loss of strength. Emergency evacuations took place as many buildings in the region were flooded with thousands losing their dwellings and hundreds more losing their businesses. Violent winds up to 100 mph damaged structures and knocked down power lines. Even Florida’s delicate ecosystem was affected as hundreds of sea turtle eggs were scattered along a beach in Fort Pierce. 

As the storm moved north to South Carolina before losing further strength, Florida was left in a wake of destruction. The storm killed over 120 people and thousands of lives will forever be changed by the damage that the storm caused.

As Florida begins the process of repairing what has been broken and rebuilding what has been destroyed, many people are wondering how they can help and if it is ethical to visit Florida mere weeks after the Hurricane. Here’s what you should know. 

Despite being in the "epicenter" of Hurricane Ian, the Florida Keys, especially Key West, have bounced back and are open for business.

To read more, go here.

RV Community and Hurricane Ian

Above, a cruise ship view of the Florida coast after leaving Fort Lauderdale. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Hurricane Ian left much devastation to the state of Florida. It will take years to get things back into some semblance of normalcy in some areas.

This includes the RV community of RV parks and campgrounds. Some were completely destroyed and some had relatively minor damage. 

RV Travel takes a look at how RVers were affected.

They begin with:

September 28 will long be remembered by Floridians, and those who call Florida their winter home. Hurricane Ian blasted ashore, the fifth-strongest hurricane to ever make landfall on the U.S. mainland. Ian made other unwelcome records. The deadliest hurricane in Florida since the 1935 Labor Day hurricane, it has cut short the lives of nearly 140 people—and sadly, the toll will likely grow. Some reports suggest property damage could top $63 billion. But what effect did Ian have on the RV community?

Florida watches its population swell by around 5 percent each winter as the snowbirds arrive. It’s hard to get a handle on just how many snowbirds flutter in. One estimate suggests about 900,000 to a million non-Floridians stay in the Everglades State for a least a month each year. Of those, a large number come with their motorhomes and trailers. One of the state’s Chambers of Commerce boasts that the state has more than 900 licensed RV parks, that sport 125,000 sites. How many more stay on properties of friends, or camp out in government-owned parks can’t even be fathomed.

 To read more, go here.

Federal Aid To Hurricane Victims Must Be Treated Equally

Her Fraudulency Kamala Harris may have proclaimed something that is likely unconstitutional and, therefore, illegal.

Actor James Woods tweeted on Twitter the following:

Fortunately victims of Hurricane Ian of ALL races will be protected from Vice President Harris’s proclamation to the contrary. This decision by a federal appeals court versus Biden’s race discrimination scheme during the pandemic clinches it. 

And thank you, Governor DeSantis.

And, Woods also tweeted:

The government may not “deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.” - 14th Amendment, Constitution of the United States of America

 

Kamala Harris's Racism In Hurricane Relief

Yes, indeed. You can't make this stuff up!

Everything has to be about race to these loons.

To read more, go here.

Hurricane Ian Flooding Key West

Above, the Key West marina during more tranquil times. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Hurricane Ian is flooding the hell out of Key West, Florida.

From the Miami Herald:

In some spots in Key West, it’s hard to tell where the street ends and the ocean begins. 

As Hurricane Ian approached Florida, waves rolled into the Southernmost City Tuesday and Wednesday and winds picked up, with gusts as high as 70 mph. 

Power outages also are reported, with crews resuming repairs at sunrise.

Ian on Wednesday morning turned into a dangerous Cat 4 hurricane, and the Keys remain under a tropical storm warning.

To read more and see videos of the flooding, go here.

Monsoon and Hurricane Kay Are Comin'

The National Weather Service posted on their home page:

Moisture from a weakening Kay may produce heavy rain and potential for considerable flash flooding in the Southwest, especially, in the Peninsular ranges.

The Key they're referring to is Hurricane Kay, which has weakened into a tropical storm. 

The moisture from it will be heading into New Mexico this weekend, starting today (if my reading of the following is right) and through next week.

Today

Scattered showers and thunderstorms after 3pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Tonight

Scattered showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 56. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Saturday

Scattered showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday Night

A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52. Southeast wind around 10 mph.

Sunday

A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74. South wind 5 to 10 mph.

Sunday Night

A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52.

Monday

A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 77.

Monday Night

A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52.

Tuesday

A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74.

Tuesday Night

A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52.

Wednesday

A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 74.

Wednesday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 51.

Thursday

A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 77.

First Mexican Hurricane

Above, Barking Spider Road partially washed away last July by a monsoon. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The first Mexican hurricane of 2022 is now forming over the Pacific Ocean and its track will carry it over the Mexican isthmus and into the Gulf of Mexico. This caught my attention.

According to the Associated Press:

MEXICO CITY (AP) — The first hurricane of the season formed off Mexico’s southern Pacific coast Sunday and rapidly gained power ahead of an expected strike along a stretch of tourist beaches and fishing towns as a major storm.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center said Agatha was expected to make landfall as a powerful Category 3 hurricane Monday afternoon or evening in the area near Puerto Escondido and Puerto Angel in the southern state of Oaxaca — a region that includes the laid-back tourist resorts of Huatulco, Mazunte and Zipolite.

The center warned that the hurricane could deliver a dangerous storm surge.

This hurricane won't affect New Mexico with any monsoon rains. Hurricanes that form further north of the Pacific Ocean and over Baja California do produce monsoon rains in the Southwest. Monsoons usually start around June 15 and go into the end of September. 

Last summer, we had a couple of good ones. One of them partially washed away Barking Spider Road, which left some ruts that I had to repair. 

Rainy Day

Above, the deck this morning. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It has been lightly raining all morning.

This is due to the remnants of Hurricane Nora coming into the area from the Gulf of Mexico. We are now under a Flash Flood Watch until midnight Thursday. 

The rains may get heavier as the day progresses. 

According to the National Weather Service:

 Today

Showers and thunderstorms. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. High near 69. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Tonight

Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 9pm. Areas of fog after 3am. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 53. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.