Tropical disturbance over the southern Gulf, dubbed as Invest 96L by the National Hurricane Center, is expected to develop into a tropical storm or hurricane over the next few days. As a result, the entire U.S Gulf coast has been put on alert, and some companies have already started evacuating non-essential personnel from the region.
According to Michael Brennan, a senior hurricane expert, the low-pressure system located near the northern Yucatan Peninsula was still disorganized. However, the falling surface pressures in that region of the Gulf are creating favorable conditions for the development of tropic depression in the next couple of days.
The latest report from the National Hurricane Center indicates that there is a 70 percent chance for the system to transform into a tropical cyclone over the weekend.
Meanwhile, the Florida Division of Emergency Management has warned people residing in Central and South Florida to prepare for possible flooding rains. As per Matt Zibura, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service (NSW) in Jacksonville, there is the possibility of some storms hitting Gainesville and Ocala. However, the intensity would probably be not as strong as in Central Florida.
Amy Godsey, State Meteorologist, stated in a press release that thunderstorms are possible in most parts of Central and South Florida in coming days due to as the tropical moisture moves into the state. Godsey advised that people residing in Florida should pay attention to the warnings issued by the NSW as well as local authorities. Amy also urged people not to drive through flooded roads.
While the forecasters are still not sure about both the development and track of the system, some oil and gas companies in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico have begun evacuating non-essential crew.
Murphy Oil Corporation stated that it had commenced evacuation of the non-essential workers. While the operations are still on, they are watching the system.
Barb Hesterman, spokesperson for the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port, said that though the operations were running normally, they are moving out non-essential staff.
Forecasters said the interests located along the United States Gulf Coast should closely watch the progress of the system over the weekend. Several early computer model forecasts predict the system’s track toward Florida.
June, 2012:
Developing Weather System in Gulf Prompts Alerts and Evacuations
Flooding in Gulf Coast States Causing Havoc
Southeastern Alabama and the Panhandle of Florida have been overcome with rainwater as several cities are receiving more than 12 inches of rain in one day. People living in and around Mobile, AL are being told to use extreme caution there as severe flash floods have washed out roadways and made many impassible. In nearby Pensacola, FL the National Weather Service said that Saturday was the 2nd wettest day on record there and that a flash flood emergency is in effect.
Flooding from heavy downpours of rain have damaged many homes across the Florida Panhandle, cut power off to a county jail and has sent many people fleeing their homes to look for shelter on dry land. A tornado which formed from the storm system damaged a few homes and buildings in southeast Alabama. Over nine inches of rain fell in Mobile County from Friday through Sunday with even more rain in the forecast for Monday morning. People there are being told not to travel because many roadways are washed out or completely flooded with water.
The historical rain event is being caused by a low pressure system that has stalled out over the region for the past few days and it is not expected to leave until the end of this week. There have been moments when it has stopped raining, but most of the time it’s either been constantly drizzling or pouring down rain. All of the rain is simply more than creeks, rivers and lakes can handle. Drivers are being told that if they cannot see the road because of water that they should turn around as there’s no telling how deep it is.
Pensacola has seen severe flooding this weekend. On Sunday, emergency workers had their hands full and the sound of sirens could be heard regularly all day long. Many homes were flooded with several feet of water there Saturday and Sunday as residents braced for additional rains Monday morning. More than 100 people spent the night in shelters in Escambia County Saturday night including residents from a 50-unit apartment complex and a 22-home subdivision.
The National Weather Service reported that over thirteen inches of rain fell on Pensacola over a 24 hour period by Saturday, coming very close to the 15.29 inches set in 1934. Thus far, the flooding has caused millions of dollars worth of damages with more rain on the way for the start of the work week. Flood assessment teams are preparing to see exactly what the end results are from this major flood event once the storm system finally leaves the region and moves out to sea.
