What's with the State of Emergency in Florida for Tropical Storm Erika?

Question

According to the latest forecasts, Tropical Storm Erika, while predicted to hit Florida, is only supposed to do so with maximum winds topping maybe 60 miles per hour, which is the equivilant to a lower class severe thunderstorm or even a weak "bow echo" storm.

But as it seems, emergency officials seem to be acting as though Erica were actually going to hit Florida with winds topping 5,000 miles per hour and waves up to a mile high. Basically, they have declared a state of emergency for Florida. I live in Fort Myers, in a one-story slab-concrete apartment building some 12 miles from the ocean, and I certainly am not scared of Erika.

Answer 1

I'm surprised honestly. The current forecast calls for a low-end tropical storm to hit southern or west central Florida during the day on Monday. There's even the possibility that it will fall apart over Cuba during the weekend. Honestly, I'm expecting some heavy rain and some minor wind damage... unless there is very rapid strengthening a day before it impacts the US.



People are freaking out because this is the first tropical cyclone that is forecast to impact the US in some time now... and also there's political/economic reasons involved but I won't go there.

Answer 2

You people clearly dont get it-



Even if TS Erika doesn't intensify into a hurricane, this storm still has a lot of rain with it and given how dry Florida has been, any moderate to heavy rain IS going to flood the ground which means damage to homes and peoples livelihood.



A state of emergency means that the government will cover the costs of funding for any damages done by the storm... this also will allow the police to shut down roads and issue evacuations for people who reside in low lying areas if need be.



People are ignornant I swear at times.... it doesn't matter if TS Erika is a hurriance or TS, it can still do alot of damage and even as a TS it can still dump the same amounts of rain a hurricane would, only difference would be wind speeds.

Answer 3

sounds like you were listening to the wrong radio station or the wrong tv station. ABC called it a few days ago that it wasn't going to be a tornado, and the other stations said it had several spaghetti ways it could come thru Florida but that we'd know as time goes on. And so if you'd continued watching you would have seen that instead of the storm building up, well it stayed steady then began to drop. Had it continued to stay the same and then built up it would have hit Florida as a hurricane.



In one of the hurricanes in past years a storm quieted down and then unexpectedly and quickly turned and built into a hurricane and because of that instance we get prepared for anything.



You sound like you're disappointed there was no hurricane, this must be your first time living in Florida. Tornadoes are worse than Hurricanes but hurricanes still do a lot of damage. A hurricane doesn't ever hit or top 5,000 mph or have waves up to amile high. You've been seeing too many science fiction movies. They did no nor even basically declared a state of emergency for Florida this time around.

What they did say is watch out for flooding, and it "could be over the top of 2nd story homes" at its worst this time. The floods we saw in our area a couple of weeks ago were knee to hip high and water got into the homes, fish in the street, crap in the water, boats picking up people and taking them to emergency shelters, and that's what you could have expected for starters.



Our governor said he was talking up emergency information this time around is because 800 people are moving to Florida every day, and way too many are new to the area and don't know hurricane procedures here and he wanted EVERYONE to learn them TODAY. To find out where to go in an emergency, what to bring with you, where to take your pet, etc.



Yeah well maybe Erika fizzled out but I suggest next time around you find yourself a hotel somewhere north, put gas in your car, plan ahead and leave early, and while you're on your way keep an eye on where the hurricane (or tornado) is headed so you're not heading where it's going.



I suspect we'll get some rain tonite and tomorrow and the places that were flooded here a couple of weeks ago will get flooded again.

Answer 4

Prepare for the worse and hope for the best.

April 3rd, 1974 show that the nation and even Louisville was not readily for the mass of destruction the tornadoes wrecked that day.

The lack of early emergency warnings and procedures and what now is considered outdated forecasting costed the lives of many people, in Xenia , Ohio , and yes here in Louisville, KY. A local radio traffic reporter/pilot was up in the air during this time and reported live on the tornado and where it was heading.

Look up Hurricane Agnes, which in 1972 gave Elmira /Corning NY a real 1,2 punch. The resulting flooding took out 3 of the 4 bridge spans.

With a state of emergency the governor can call out and use the National Guard to help local law enforcement and other agencies.

Answer 5

Depends on factors... a tropical storm can still bring flooding, including dangerous localized flash flooding.



Heck, I'm a number of states to the north up the coast and we normally only tend to get the old remnants of what's left of those things, but we've had flooding and flash flooding in the past because of it; and that's after it's hurricane and tropical storm status were long gone.



Even as a tropical storm, it still also depends on which side of the storm you are on. My area was on the wrong side of Isabel years ago... it was "only" a tropical storm, albeit a strong one, and being on the wrong side of it the thing snapped some telephone poles here and there in the area - a couple of them not far from me - and took down some trees; power lines down, lost power. Not a hurricane, but still not a storm to brush off as nothing.



On the flip side, being on the "good" side of Hurricane Irene as it brushed past us up the coast made it very uneventful here other than heavy rain and tornado advisories; likewise when Sandy came through, and only very recently down graded to a TS after tearing Jersey a new one, we were fortunately on the good side of that as well (just barely... the eye wasn't too far north of us) and it was pretty mild actually... pretty gusty with the winds, but not damaging. So that said, in my experience, *tropical storm* Isabel has been the worst I've seen here and gave the area a moderate beating, soooo...they shouldn't always be underestimated.



Granted FL is no doubt built stronger than we are since we don't normally have any real worries over hurricanes, but the weather service still has a responsibly to be on top of it and caution people. Sure, things often turn out better than they were predicting, but on the occasion that things don't, that would not be good if they shrugged it off just because maybe a prior history of storms weren't so bad or something.



People do the same complaining up this way over winter storms... sometimes it ends up being next to nothing, and other times they underestimated and we get walloped. It is simply wise to at least be aware can take some caution.

Answer 6

According to the latest forecasts, Tropical Storm Erika, while predicted to hit Florida, is only supposed to do so with maximum winds topping maybe 60 miles per hour, which is the equivilan to a lower class severe thunderstorm or even a weak "bow echo" storm.

Answer 7

Florida has had record rainfall since mid-July. There is widespread flooding through out Florida and the current weather pattern is pushing 2 - 8 inches a day to some areas. The declaration of emergency is for the flooding, not the hurricane.



Google:



The Tampa Tribune



or



St Petersburg Times



And read local newspapers for yourself.

Answer 8

Tropical storm Erika isn t as large a threat as we think, that much is true and most likely won t do much damage. The problem is is side effects. Given that Florida is extremely weird when it comes to weather, there is a decent chance that when the storm weather hits Floridas currently dry weather, the pressure differences can cause it to turn into a hurricane. I live in Boca Raton and today various plazas around me got flooded from the outskirt rain bursts of the storm. Flooded. From outbursts. The storm most likely won t hit us but given Floridas topography, flooding concerns are a pretty serious issue, especially in costal regions like Boca.

Answer 9

According to the latest forecasts, Tropical Storm Erika, while predicted to hit Florida, is only supposed to do so with maximum winds topping maybe 60 miles per hour, which is the equivilan to a lower class severe thunderstorm or even a weak "bow echo" storm.

Answer 10

Tropical storms have been known to suddenly intensify to hurricane strength. Most of Florida is close to sea level. Just because some builders decided to erect attractive houses, resorts, and hotels and buy storm insurance, doesn't mean that you're going to be safe. Certainly the media has published advice on how to prepare. Pay attention!

Answer 11

Agree, that a tropical storm in FLA does not warrant a State of Emergency. Sure there will be lots of rain, but no need to over react. I agree with plan for the worst and hope for the best, but if you over-declare emergencies, then at some point people will start to ignore them - and that can really be disastrous.

Answer 12

Storms need to be taken seriously. Mother Nature can turn on a dime. She cares not who she destroys or how much water she dumps on the land. It doesn't matter if the rich have built amazing houses and have insurance on them. Mankind needs to never trust mother nature, father time or uncle sam ......LoL



anyhow it is always safe to go to a safe place during a storm.



BTW my BF was on his way to a wonderful vacation and had to turn around and come back to the states. His paradise island was shut down





Some one mentioned winds of 5,000 miles an hour. Seriously.....I don't think there is such a thing.

Answer 13

To help you understand better. Northwest Hillsborough County, Pasco

County, and Parts of Pinellas County have received more then 46

accumulated inches of rain in the past 10 days. We still have areas

that are completely flooded in Pasco county. So to receive any more

large amounts of rain will be a very big problem for these areas.



I winter and now summer here every year. I have 50 head of horses

at my farm. We have already made provisions to move them to Ocala

if need be. However I have not been inundated with flooding like

the other areas have. Hope this helps you to see the rest of the story.

Answer 14

I don't know about Florida but I certainly know that WE IN DOMINICA ARE IN A STATE OF EMERGENCY.....there are areas of the island with no electricity, water, phone service, nor vehicular access for the past 3 days !!!! The airport is inaccessible ! Entire bridges are gone.... WE need help NOW.



PS... Dominica is NOT the same as Dominican republic

Answer 15

The weather service and governments do not issue warnings or a "State of Emergency" for no reason! Clearly the potential for storm damage to property or potential for people to be injured or killed due to Erika is there, otherwise there would be no warning at all.

Answer 16

I hope it stays a tropical storm and comes to Texas and drifts north to Oklahoma....we could use 6-8 inches of rain this next week or two, would help fill up some of the ponds and lakes around here.

Answer 17

I live here right in it's path and have been told all day the heavy rains are coming this way since early morning. so far hardly anything to speak of have hit us the storm broke up but we were to get heavy rains from it ,

with all the technology we have today you would think they would have down it better, guess this is florida for you. they seem to scare everyone all the time.

Answer 18

With this storm being so close to the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, politicians prefer being noted for a more public "pro-active" stance, hoping their constituents will be lulled into believing "something like Katrina would never happen under my watch, folks", despite the vivid memory of Hurricane Andrew.....



That being said, there's nothing wrong with preparation for any possibility when it comes to weather in Florida. With or without politicians assuming they must think for you.

Answer 19

The lack of early emergency warnings and procedures and what now is considered outdated forecasting costed the lives of many people, in Xenia , Ohio , and yes here in Louisville, KY. A local radio traffic reporter/pilot was up in the air during this time and reported live on the tornado and where it was heading.

Look up Hurricane Agnes.

Answer 20

Why are you balking at warnings??? Warnings are for people's protection and benefit. If you choose to downplay a warning and risk your own life, that is your problem. But don't you be complaining about it and wishing for other people's lives to be at risk if they do not get warnings, or not believe them because people like you like to downplay them.



The weather service and governments do not issue warnings or a "State of Emergency" for no reason! Clearly the potential for storm damage to property or potential for people to be injured or killed due to Erika is there, otherwise there would be no warning at all.



Stop complaining about warnings and start heeding them and stop interfering with other people's lives.

Answer 21

We are in nw Florida and have had heavy rains and thunderstorms almost everyday except this week so far. Still getting the thunder but no rain. Still forcasts show thunderstorms all week so a little more rain won't matter.

Answer 22

Severe electrical thunderstorms can turn more extreme with little or no warning and can sometimes cause a tornado / flash flooding and carry items around like in the winds like a missile along with lightning can cause a severe shocks, burns, injury or even kill so why are you asking such a silly question 🙋

Answer 23

It's a matter of being safe than sorry. After all, the hurricane season still has a few months to go.

Answer 24

Would you prefer delay and indecision and 'maybe it won't' a la Kristina or SOME sensible preparation

and caution? Readiness takes TIME. Preparation and Readiness have EXPENSE! Florida, City, town

county and State have taken APPROPRIATE measures. Applause, applause.

Answer 25

Really? States of Emergency are required to activate the state EMA and release funds to deal with what happens.

Answer 26

They're having a hard time predicting some aspects, like if they should cancel schools (I read this online) and they just want to be cautious, I'm guessing.

Answer 27

Hey I worked for FEMA. This is precautionary and it is good that the Governor did this for the other storms behind it too. Be happy that this is in place. It might well be needed. I am glad he did this. I live in the Panhandle and it is good that this was done early.

Answer 28

A state of emergency should be declared when in the path of a raging female.

Answer 29

Hurricane Erika is nothing now

Answer 30

When you have so much time/money/manpower to allocate, then you do care small things and spend a lot.

or if you want to ignore X huge matter/issue then you convert small Y matter into huge T issue, so that everybody forget X and discuss T.

T will become Y after a while automatically.

Answer 31

Who knows? It may strengthen before it hits Florida. Best to be prepared at all times.

Answer 32

Hurricane

Answer 33

Alarmist gov't

Answer 34

Have you watched the weather channel lately? That's like all they talk about. Not even a hint of it is alarmist.

Answer 35

Could be this red state Governor wants the US Government money to help with other shortfalls he created . just saying

Answer 36

Better to prepare for such a storm.

Answer 37

If you do not use it then you lose it. Budget politics 101.

Answer 38

It's all about the money, money, money.

Answer 39

Yeah it puzzles me too

Answer 40

yes

Answer 41

yes

Answer 42

Not bad

Answer 43

What

Answer 44

nope

Answer 45

We are now safe because it has downgraded quickly! (: (fell apart)

Answer 46

they wanted to safe than sorry

Answer 47

the sky is falling

Answer 48

nope

Answer 49

to keep everyone safe

Answer 50

its better to be safe than sorry.

Answer 51

ret

Answer 52

lol i love when ppl die in hurricanes. :P

Answer 53

whut ?

Answer 54

i know

Answer 55

do it for you

Answer 56

no

Answer 57

no

Answer 58

ok

Answer 59

YOU SUCKS!!!!!!

Answer 60

idk