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When a hurricane comes ashore, it can get even more dangerous

Earlier this week, a late season tropical storm named Ida came ashore along the Alabama-Florida gulf coast.

The once powerful category 2 hurricane quickly weekend as it charged inland. It dumped copious amounts of rain over the already saturated southeast United States. However, it can now be argued that the remnants of Ida are more of a danger than Tropical Storm Ida.

The system lost its tropical characteristics a day after it made landfall, and transitioned into an extra-tropical cyclone. Since then, it has slowly moved through the Mid-Atlantic States bringing heavy rain and brutal winds as a powerful nor’easter.

Maximum wind gusts have exceeded hurricane force, stronger than those along the gulf coast endured when the storm initially made landfall. Onshore winds on the north side of the system have created large waves that have caused major beach erosion stretching from Virginia to New Jersey.

There have been several deaths as a result of the storm. This makes our expected round of cold rain and winds seem very tame.

Check out this video of the rough surf.

Comments

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  1. parrothead8 (anonymous) says…

    The once powerful category 2 hurricane did not "quickly weekend," it quickly weakened.

  2. parrothead8 (anonymous) says…

    True, Marion, but it's human nature to think we can consistently overcome Nature. It's why we build cities where there is no water, houses on the sides of eroding cliffs, and tall buildings in earthquake-prone areas.

    It allows us to maintain the illusion that we have some control over our surroundings.

  3. just_another_bozo_on_this_bus (anonymous) says…

    "However, it can now be argued that the remnants of Ida are more of a danger than Tropical Storm Ida."

    Tell that to the people of El Salvador.

  4. devobrun (anonymous) says…

    I have a student who is from Hong Kong. When I asked her about storms that hit the island, she answered with a shrug.

    Seems that H.K. is built with a keen eye toward the inevitable. Schools close. Hotels and restaurants bring in their furniture and shift them to upper floors. People hunker down, and it blows through.

    Signs, buildings, garages, and trees are all typhoon safe. Few things blow around and damage is manageable.

    Why does the culture of the U.S. support science and engineering that doesn't make sense so often? Battling the weather, battling climate change, battling each other.

    I think we're just battling fools.

  5. Gareth (anonymous) says…

    This is gotta be the stupidest headline in LJ World history.

    Hurricanes are more dangerous when they come ashore? You don't say! Dumbass flatlanders.

  6. Informed (anonymous) says…

    You're correct, bozo. The devastation in El Salvador is incredible. Entire families have been lost in mudslides. The people who had little now have nothing. On Thursday, I helped load up a truckful of supplies which are being delivered to El Salvador this weekend. Drinking water is being purchased, as well. Hurricane? Tropical storm? Three weeks of 'unnamed rain'? It really doesn't matter to people when the result is so costly.