South recoils from Katrina

Hurricane Katrina left a bigger mess in Louisiana than was apparent Monday night. Currently 80% of the city is under water after breaks in the levees protecting the city. Martial law was declared in two parishes. Thousands of people are stranded in the Louisiana Superdome.

Southern Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama suffered heavy damage. Cable news stations have been showing aerial footage all day.

People in the affected areas have a long road ahead of them. Large areas will be uninhabitable for weeks or months. The death toll is likely in the hundreds, if not thousands. Katrina may well end up being the most expensive hurricane in U.S. history.

If you'd like to help the victims of the storm, donate money to the Red Cross via their online form or by calling 1-800-HELP-NOW.

Additional coverage:
Hundreds feared dead in U.S. Hurricane Katrina (Reuters)
Floodwater inundates New Orleans after hurricane (Reuters)
Katrina Devastation Called 'Overwhelming' (AP)
FEMA Head: Katrina Was 'Catastrophic' (AP)
Hundreds feared dead in U.S. Hurricane Katrina (Reuters)
Katrina floods downtown Mobile, beaches, bayous (USA Today)

Katrina plows through Louisiana, Mississippi

Hurricane Katrina came ashore as a Category 4 hurricane this morning in eastern Louisiana, sparing New Orleans from a direct hit. It appears that the Mississippi Gulf Coast cities around Biloxi have suffered the worst damage of the storm.

Katrina has weakened to a Category 1 as it moves northward through Mississippi.

Lousiana braces for Katrina

Hurricane Katrina became a dangerous category 5 this morning, with winds topping 175 mph. The storm is on a path for New Orleans, as the city is being evacuated. Interstate highways in Louisiana and Mississippi were converted to northbound-only traffic.

If you are in the New Orleans area, get out NOW. The storm is predicted to make landfall Monday morning.

Part of the latest advisory:

1 PM CDT SUN AUG 28 2005

...POTENTIALLY CATASTROPHIC HURRICANE KATRINA MENACING THE NORTHERN GULF COAST...

A HURRICANE WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR THE NORTH CENTRAL GULF COAST FROM MORGAN CITY LOUISIANA EASTWARD TO THE ALABAMA/FLORIDA BORDER...INCLUDING THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS AND LAKE PONTCHARTRAIN.

A HURRICANE WARNING MEANS THAT HURRICANE CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED WITHIN THE WARNING AREA WITHIN THE NEXT 24 HOURS. PREPARATIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY SHOULD BE RUSHED TO COMPLETION.

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING AND A HURRICANE WATCH ARE IN EFFECT FROM EAST OF THE ALABAMA/FLORIDA BORDER TO DESTIN FLORIDA...AND FROM WEST OF MORGAN CITY TO INTRACOASTAL CITY LOUISIANA. A TROPICAL STORM WARNING MEANS THAT TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED WITHIN THE WARNING AREA WITHIN THE NEXT 24 HOURS. A HURRICANE WATCH MEANS THAT HURRICANE CONDITIONS ARE POSSIBLE WITHIN THE WATCH AREA... GENERALLY WITHIN 36 HOURS.

Read the full advisory.

Katrina leaves a mess in south Florida

Hurricane Katrina moved slowly across South Florida over the past 24 hours, leaving flooding and wind damage in its path. Katrina weakened to a tropical storm before reemerging as a hurricane over the Gulf of Mexico. Wind and rain continues across a wide part of the state. Up to 20 inches of rain is expected in the Florida Keys.

Katrina's path across the state was nearly due west, sparing central Florida. It is expected to turn northward and perhaps make landfall in the Florida Panhandle early next week.

Projected path.

Hurricane Katrina pounds south Florida

An estimated one million people in south Florida are without power at this hour as Hurricane Katrina continues to dump heavy rain on the area. So far the storm is blamed for two deaths in the state from falling trees.

Part of the latest advisory from the National Weather Service:

KATRINA IS MOVING SOUTH OF DUE WEST NEAR 6 MPH AND THIS GENERAL MOTION IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE DURING THE NEXT 24 HOURS. ON THIS TRACK...THE KATRINA SHOULD MOVE FARTHER INLAND ALONG SOUTH FLORIDA TONIGHT AND FRIDAY MORNING.

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE 80 MPH...WITH HIGHER GUSTS. KATRINA IS A CATEGORY ONE HURRICANE ON THE SAFFIR-SIMPSON SCALE. STRONGER WINDS...ESPECIALLY IN GUSTS...ARE LIKELY ON HIGH RISING BUILDINGS. A GRADUAL WEAKENING IS EXPECTED AS KATRINA CONTINUES TO MOVE INLAND ACROSS SOUTH FLORIDA AND THE EVERGLADES TONIGHT AND EARLY FRIDAY.

HURRICANE FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 15 MILES FROM THE CENTER... AND TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 80 MILES.

South Florida under hurricane warning

The latest advisory on Katrina from the National Weather Service:

...KATRINA CONTINUES TO STRENGTHEN AS IT MOVES SLOWLY WESTWARD ACROSS THE FLORIDA STRAITS TOWARD SOUTHEAST FLORIDA...

A HURRICANE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE SOUTHEAST FLORIDA COAST FROM VERO BEACH SOUTHWARD TO FLORIDA CITY...INCLUDING LAKE OKEECHOBEE. A HURRICANE WARNING MEANS THAT HURRICANE CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED WITHIN THE WARNING AREA WITHIN THE NEXT 24 HOURS. PREPARATIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY SHOULD BE RUSHED TO COMPLETION.

View Miami radar.

Tropical Storm Katrina heads for Florida

Tropical Storm Katrina formed today in the Bahamas and could reach hurricane strength before hitting the coast of Florida later this week. As of 11 am, winds were 40 mph, and the storm was moving north-northwest at 8 mph.

Florida's east coast from Vero Beach to Florida City is under a hurricane watch, for possible hurricane conditions by Friday. The storm is expected to slowly cross the state and could cause flooding as it dumps a foot of rain or more in spots before heading into the Gulf of Mexico.

Read the full report.

Irene Heads Out to Sea

Irene reached hurricane status Sunday and turned out to sea, posing no threat to land. The storm has top sustained winds of 85 mph, and is moving northeast at 12 mph.

At 11 a.m. Monday, Irene was about 590 miles south-southwest of Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Read the full report.

Irene shifts eastward

Tropical Storm Irene was expected to intensify Friday and possibly reach hurricane strength as it approached the U.S. East Coast. Forecasters said the storm could strike the coast anywhere from South Carolina to New Jersey.

Irene's top sustained winds increased to about 60 mph, and the storm is expected to strengthen.

National Weather Service statement

Top 7 Steps to Protect your Computer from Hurricanes

Having lived in West Central Florida for the past 15 years, I’ve been given some insight into the sometimes scary reality of Mother Nature. This past summer I’ve had the displeasure of meeting four characters, first hand...Charley, Frances, Jeanne and Ivan. Yes, I’m talking about Hurricanes.

For all the advantages one has with personal computers or a high-tech home office setup, there are huge disadvantages to being plugged in during the approach of a serious storm: the loss of data can be devastating. While it's simple enough to log off, shut down and unplug at the first warning signs, you might want to take a few extra steps to preserve information that is vital to a business or the family archives. In the best of circumstances an ounce of prevention will result in countless returns. A little foresight can make the difference between having usable equipment or a pile of water-soaked junk.

1. Along with other valuable property, document what you own with a videotape or camera. Save copies of purchase receipts. Be sure the electric wiring in your home or business is properly grounded and that all voltage-sensitive equipment is grounded.

2. Battery backup: Purchase electronic equipment with a back-up battery or capacitor to retain settings should a momentary power disturbance occur. Consider purchasing protective equipment which can help against lethal storm and electrical conditions. Un-interruptible Power Supply (UPS) maintains power to critical loads during power outages.

3. Surge Protectors: Make sure the suppressor has 3-way protection and is UL (Underwriters Laboratory) listed for compliance with the 1449 TVSS (Transient Voltage Surge Suppressor) standard. Features of the plug-in type surge protector include multiple outlets, on/off switches, audible alarms, and indicator lights to let you know the suppressor is working, and connections for telephone or data cable lines.

Read the full hurricane article by Sol Spencer.

Harvey heads for Bermuda

Tropical Storm Harvey developed today in the Atlantic Ocean as it slowly approached Bermuda.

Harvey had top sustained winds near 40 mph.

A tropical storm warning was issued for Bermuda, meaning that tropical storm conditions were expected within 24 hours. One to 3 inches of rain was predicted for the islands.

Harvey is not expected to affect the United States mainland.

Read the full report.

National Weather Service revises hurricane forecast upward

Today the National Weather Service sharply boosted its forecast for hurricanes this season, predicting 18 to 21 tropical storms by the end of November.

In May the service predicted 12 to 15 tropical storms for this year, seven to nine of them becoming hurricanes.

There have already been seven named storms this year, two of them hurricanes.

Read the full story.