I was introduced to HURRICANE DORA in the fall of 1964. This began my fascination with STORMYWEATHER and HURRICANES. Although Jacksonville did not take a direct hit, Hurricane Dora was close enough to do some damage. But our Meteorologist --- GEORGE WINTERLING, (and help from The Lord) brought us through that storm just fine.
The further you go into THE TROPICS, the more intense the storms become. When my family and I visited The Virgin Islands and Jamaica, we encountered tropical storms like I had NEVER seen before! The lightning and thunder were so intense! The rain came in bands, like we were in a RAINFOREST! They definitely have their share of 'little' Rainforests in that beautiful area of the Tropics.
In 1998, most of the southern coastal areas had been 'under the gun' of the EL NINO weather occurance. EL NINO has wreaked havoc all along the California, Texas, Louisiana, and Florida coastlines. Although presently, in 1999, we are no longer being affected by EL NINO during the TROPICAL SEASON, but we may have more serious problems on our hands. The links on my page will definitely keep you informed.
We are now DEEPLY into The 1999 Tropical Season. With this WEATHER CHANNEL link, you will be provided with complete information for the SOUTHEAST REGION as the season progresses. For current weather information anytime, link to THE WEATHER CHANNEL in Atlanta, Georgia. They cover weather for all areas of the world, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There's also CNN WEATHER, another very informative link for up-to-the-minute weather around the globe.
This section brings to light a subject that most people are not familiar with (unless you've seen the movie "TWISTER"). STORM CHASING involves conscientious weather fanatics who actually 'CHASE STORMS' for a hobby, educational purposes, or a living (for some, all three)! Because of these brave, fearless weather people, we are able to know when a storm is approaching and how intense it may possibly be. They were the forerunners to the technology we have today. View these STORMCHASE PHOTOS to see exciting lightning photography and other great weather phenomenon! You may also link to the photographer's gallery of photos by links found underneath the photographs. One picture is worth a thousand words...you will be HELD CAPTIVE by the natural beauty of this photography!
My FAVORITE Storm Chasing photographer is WARREN FAIDLEY. The man is a genius! Be sure to see his site for EXCELLENT weather-related and storm chasing photography! Another great site for wonderful photography and information belongs to JOHN MONTEVERDI and THOM TRIMBLE. There are so many different STORM CHASING LINKS that I would have to lengthen this page EVEN MORE to list them all! But thanks to Nat Heatwole and his storm chasing links (above), I was able to keep this section at a minimum! You will also be able to link to some very good photographs if you select any of the links for STORMCHASING in the previous paragraph. So ENJOY, and SURF-SURF-SURF!!!
Although powerful and AWESOME, some even deadly, storms can be very exciting. They are drawn by the mighty HAND OF GOD and man has NO CONTROL over this phenomenon! Storms cannot be regulated by men! But men CAN capture the BEAUTY, AWESOMENESS, and POWER with photography. For this, I truly thank the STORM CHASERS OF THE WORLD!!!
I have photos from the AFTERMATH of the TORNADO OF SEPTEMBER 12, 2004 which came RIGHT DOWN MY STREET!
Summer of 2004, Jacksonville, FL and surrounding areas, survived by the Grace of God, what may have been the biggest storm season since Hurricane Dora in 1964! For current information about HURRICANES, STORMS, and other weather events, visit WEATHER.COM. See the TOP STORY below for local information pertaining to MAJOR WEATHER EVENTS around the World.
Since there is not always a CURRENT MAJOR WEATHER EVENT, I'm providing this section for those of you who are more interested in a good, exciting JACKSONVILLE NEWS EVENT. However, at times, the TOP JAX NEWS EVENT will also be a MAJOR WEATHER EVENT; In that case, you will be provided with two weather stories instead of one. I'm sure there will ALWAYS be some hot news item to link to here in the beautiful but very LIVE HOME OF THE JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS!
On February 16th and 17th, Jacksonville experienced a HORRIFIC STORM! My heart and prayers go out to the families and individuals who were seriously affected by that storm. It was truly a WILD STORM! Living in a TROPICAL REGION, we are always vulnerable to this type of activity. But for FANATICS like me, THAT STORM WAS BEAUTIFUL! It really hit hard after midnight of the 17th, but the wind was howling and the rain was coming down long before midnight. When it hit, IT HIT!!! All of a sudden, the wind blew harder, there were back to back lightning flashes; the thunder could not keep up with the lightning, and some of it was SO INTENSE! It was raining EXTREMELY HARD and it rained for a very long time. So many places were and are still being flooded out. My prayers go out to these people.
One week later, EL NINO is still sending monsterous storms toward the Florida peninsular. On the 22nd of February, Jacksonville was once again bombarded with HEAVY RAIN. The storm began in the afternoon and went on through midnight. The wind began to blow very hard, the lightning flashed and the thunder rolled! The rain came down so hard that it was virtually impossible to see. Residents were advised to stay at home unless it was mandatory to go out. Although, Jacksonville and the surrounding areas must deal with the flooding -- AGAIN, and there is PLENTY of flooding in our area, we are not facing the damage that occured in Central Florida. In essence, we are blessed. My thoughts and prayers, once again, go out to the persons who were affected by or lost homes and loved ones to this treacherous storm. Please see the link to the MAJOR WEATHER EVENT story below for documented information.
On Wednesday, April the 8th, northern Jacksonville experienced another horrific storm! It was quick, but strong! Around 3PM in the afternoon, the sky began to get dark. The storm appeared to be passing to the north of us, but that was only the beginning! The clouds were very dark in the northern sky and we were only getting a little drizzle. Thunder could be heard from a distance, but no one had any idea was was actually ahead!
Around 3:30PM, the wind began to blow harder and the sky became darker. The street lights and building lights came on around the college. I was at work in the Computer Lab and I COULD NOT SIT STILL!!! I had checked the local radar on the Internet and knew what was about to happen. I met several "weather people" walking around outside just checking out the approaching storm like I was. Well, I got bold and decided to walk down to the pond.
The time was now about 3:45PM. The sky was darker than dusk! The reflection in the pond made the sky appear black and dark, dark green! I looked up and saw a "rolling cloud," the kind that tornadoes are made of. It was long, thick, and had a greenish tint under it. The other part of the sky was black and purple! I could FEEL that something serious was about to happen! Just then, a huge lightning bolt flashed to my left. I saw it in the corner of my eye; a voice from heaven said "GO INSIDE" --- in Martin's language --- "STEP!!!" I did not tarry, I went back to the lab. No sooner than I could get inside, THE BOTTOM FELL OUT!!! There was lightning and thunder, extremely hard rain, and the showstopper --- HAIL!!! There was nickel and pea-sized hail hitting the full window of the lab. Everyone in the lab rushed to see it (I wasn't the only one who was interested in a serious weather event)!
The storm extended north through Nassau County and Southern Georgia. Get the full story by clicking on the NEW MAJOR WEATHER EVENT link in the TOP STORY section. My prayers go out to the families who lost property and loved ones. Storms can be devastating!!! That is why it is SO IMPORTANT to keep up with the weather. It's a phenomenon that can't be stopped, but lives can be protected when the right precautions are taken. Please see the link to the 2nd MAJOR WEATHER EVENT story below for documented information.
As of June 10, our area has been SO DRY!!! HARDLY ANY RAIN... NO THUNDERSTORMS! We REALLY need some rain!!! There have been no storms to report. But, we are entering the tropical storm and hurricane season; my time of the year! I will most definitely keep you posted about the STORM SITUATION.
As the month of June comes to an end, we have been faced with a different type of storm --- FIRESTORMS!!! Several local areas have burned due to wild and brush fires from the extremely dry and hot conditions. To read about these fires, visit my CNN INFO PAGE link. From this page, other recent stories as well as news, are available.
Well, once again, PRAYER CHANGES THINGS! Since there has been such a drought and so many people were losing their homes, Jacksonville pulled together and PRAYED for rain! WE GOT IT!!! We've continued to have rain every day since the month of July! Jacksonville is very blessed. Water restrictions have been lifted and things are once again normal. WE THANK GOD FOR THE RAIN and STORMS!
Visit the WJXT WEATHER CENTER for all of the information you will need to survive the storm. You may also visit THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER to get current information as well as track the storm. I will also keep you posted!
Since I cannot do an extensive update to this site right now, allow me to direct you to THE ACCUWEATHER WEATHERPAGE where you may select the Tropical Storm or Hurricane of your interest by name and view available information pertaining to each storm.
BE CAREFUL OUT THERE STORMCHASERS!!! WEATHER CAN BE BEAUTIFUL, AWESOME, AND FASCINATING -- BUT IT CAN ALSO BE VERY DEADLY! TAKE SHELTER IF NECESSARY AND BE PREPARED! HURRICANES HAVE NO MERCY ON ANYONE OR ANYTHING. REMAIN PREPARED!
Links to other sites on the Web
THE WEATHER CHANNEL
CNN WEATHER
THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER
ACCUWEATHER HOMEPAGE
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