Afishionado Posted August 26, 2005 Report Share Posted August 26, 2005 Well beggar me the blighters done it again. Next year he could get Florida to pay him to stay away Three dead in Florida hurricane Katrina whipped up waves of up to 4.5m Hurricane Katrina has hit south-east Florida, killing at least three people and leaving hundreds of thousands of homes without electricity. One man in his 20s died when a tree was blown onto his car after strong winds and rain struck the Fort Lauderdale area at 1900 (2300 GMT). Earlier, motorists stocked up at petrol stations and emergency shelters were opened as the storm closed in. As rain fell in sheets, forecasters predicted flooding for some areas. It's not over yet Max Mayfield NHC Director Animated guide: Hurricanes Katrina hit the densely populated coastline between Hallandale Beach and North Miami Beach, said the US National Hurricane Center (NHC). Skies darkened as winds reaching 130km/h (80mph) whipped up seas to an estimated 4.5 metres (15ft) high, toppled street signs and knocked down trees and power lines. Some areas might be drenched with up to 40cm (15in) of rain, the NHC said. Click here to see Katrina's predicted course A 54-year-old man was hit by a tree outside his home in Plantation, Broward County, while a 79-year-old man died in a car crash during the storm in Cooper City. "The message needs to be very clear. It's not a good night to be out driving around," said NHC director Max Mayfield. Warning Although the hurricane is not as big as some Florida has seen, he warned against complacency. "The back side of the core of the hurricane has yet to come. It's not over yet," he said. Thirteen years ago this week, the maximum-strength Category Five Hurricane Andrew hit the same area of Florida - the most costly hurricane to hit the US. Katrina, however, is only expected to be a Category One storm. Before it hit, residents in the area most at risk, including Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach, stocked up on food, water and fuel. Authorities urged people in mobile homes or low-lying areas to evacuate to safer ground because of the flood risk. Coastal warning Katrina was upgraded from a tropical storm to a hurricane around 1530 (1930 GMT) on Thursday. It is expected to weaken before reaching the Gulf of Mexico on Saturday, when it could strengthen again and turn north, towards Florida's Panhandle, probably hitting early next week. Parts of the Bahamas saw heavy showers and powerful waves from Katrina on Wednesday but no major damage was reported. The Florida Panhandle has already been battered by Hurricane Dennis and Tropical Storm Cindy this year. Click here to return Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverick Martin Posted August 26, 2005 Report Share Posted August 26, 2005 Rich Certainly has the knack for picking the weather Don't think I'll ask him to crew again Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Afishionado Posted August 26, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 26, 2005 Rich Certainly has the knack for picking the weather Don't think I'll ask him to crew again Martin Seriously Martin I think you ought to change his 'handle' to Windy or Hurricane Mad Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob F Posted August 26, 2005 Report Share Posted August 26, 2005 Blimey!! Poor old Rich. Looks like we just got out there in time. Should stir up the sea a bit though. Might make the shore fishing better... BF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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