Well I'll be experiencing my first Tropical Storm in a MH, very concerned and not very happy about it. The storms yesterday from just the outer bands of Debby still in the Gulf were just brutal.
I have to say I am a bit disappointed in the way they report the weather conditions down here so that you can be prepared. They just make a blanket statement for an large area and say Tornado Warning 'possible'. Florida weather reports are all in generalizations which I find not very helpful!
Quite different than being in the Midwest where they can pinpoint a storm and/or tornado by the minute when it will arrive and practically within a block of where you live AND they stay on the air on the TV reporting every movement of it. Seems you are on your own down here.
I am in a position that I can move my MH around to be in the best position for the damaging winds predicted for late this evening.
My question to the seasoned Floridians.
When Tropical Storm Debby hits land from the west does the spinning of it going create the worst winds from the south?
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated as to what to expect and be prepared for!
"We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned,
so as to have the life that is waiting for us".
It is a tropical storm and very widespread, something you do not have in the Midwest very often. You will see 40 MPH winds with gusts that are higher at times, accompanied by several inches of rain. The winds are subject to swirl depending on the area you are in.
Just make sure you are parked in a place that won't flood and that everything is well attached. I have been through several and it really is no big deal as long as you dodge the tornadoes that spin off. The Weather Channel was covering it extensively last night. The normal channels would be totally devoted to the storm for days if they tried to give neighborhood by neighborhood coverage as they do in the Midwest.
Not from Florida but have seen plenty storms. Given a choice get away from water either flooding from rain or wave action and be on the western side of the eye when the storm passes.
Rock, you have asked a question that can NOT be answered with the info you provided....A low system spins counter clockwise from its center. You have to look at your location, the center of the low, the distance between the two points and then you will get wind direction, as the low moves across Florida. IIRC, NOAA has a chart available on their site that will give wind direction and speed for a general area, so try their site.
If it is as bad as you feel, then you need to use the MH as it was designed. Your wheels rolled in, they can roll out just as easy, for a couple of days. If the center comes ashore just north of Cedar Key as they are predicting, the worst of it will be from Citrus county south to Tampa Bay and all the way east to Daytona.
Bob & Betsy(FishNFanatic) - USN Aviation Ret'd '78 & LEO Ret'd '03 & "Oath Keeper Forever" '05 HR Endeavor 40PRQ, 400 Cummins-Pulling our '11 Silverado LT, Ex Cab 6.2L NHT 4x4, w/2010 Rzr or 01 V Star in back. Where the wheels are stopped today
Where are u? All the local stations can and do provide pinpoint forecast. If u can, put the tail or head pointing into the wind (pointing north) use your jacks, bring the main awning in, watch your slide awning, make sure that u are out of the path of any falling trees. If you want to (but not necessary), find a big box store or mall, and park as close as possible so to use as a use the building as a wind break.
We are getting excellent coverage with regular TV, Channel 10.2 out of Tampa.
I think this is day #4, with about 8" of rain...have lost track. Wind is coming from the SW and we are parked E/W, so getting rocked a little. When we were headed into the wind, it hardly rocked us at all. I wouldn't want to be down around the Arcadia/Sebring area... wheels would roll out.
Sitting inside and not getting out is a real bummer to me and the weather radio was going off every 5 minutes the other night. I think the moho has shrunk from 31' long x 102" wide to 10' long and 2' wide. Other than that, we are doing fine. If a real hurricane, we get out 3 days ahead of predicted landfall.
Do not count on it landing where the predictions are. Err on side of caution.
I am a fulltimer, always on the move - so like you, the weather can be a big issue. It is not always easy to get good local information. If you have a smartphone, you might like the app Pro Weather Alert. I rely on it to give me local weather warnings, it uses your phone's gps for your location. I do have a weather radio, but the app works even when on the road - not just when parked.
OP, you might want to bring in your slides - to protect the toppers. Are you parked on a solid surface - concrete? If on dirt, grass - I would move to another location. There is lots of rain in that storm. Good luck
'02 KOUNTRY STAR DP
2012 HONDA FIT "PUMPKINMOBILE"
GILLIGAN- 1ST MATE CAT - 3 HR TOUR
Welcome to the differences; in size and patterns of tropical storms and hurricanes that can quickly spawn tornadoes. Due to their size, you're likely to feel the effects over a very large area. You'll have less wind speeds on the southwest side of the storm.
I've parked on the leeward side of big Box stores in the past. Not only does it block the wind, but it reduces damage by flying debris. 2004 was a rough year during hurricane season in Florida.
Very different storm types with very different results…tornados form quick, move quick and seldom make major directional changes, or last long… they can better pin point them but can not give much lead time… often not enough advance to help much…
Debbie has been hard to pin point but has had a lot of lead time to prepare for its dangers if people don’t wait to long…
The best way in a MH to experience a storm like this, is on TV from some point out of its way…
Love my mass produced, entry level, built by Lazy American Workers, Hornet
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